UAE wrap up camp with big win over Sri Lanka

Dubai - Frontman Ali Mabkhout, who has been plying his trade for Al Jazira in UAE domestic competitions, scored three goals while Al Ain's Ahmed Barman and Al Wasl's Ali Saleh scored a goal each.

Ali Mabkhout notched a hat trick as the UAE warmed up for the Asia Zone World Cup qualifiers with a victory in another football friendly.
The Whites, who had blanked 155th ranked Dominican Republic 4-0 at the Bahrain National Stadium, wrapped up their camp in Bahrain with a 5-1 victory over Sri Lanka.
It was the last piece of work for the UAE before their World Cup qualifying campaign begins later this month.
Coach Bert van Marwijk would have been pleased with how his men fared during the twin friendlies during the camp in Bahrain.
The Dutchman, who helped the Netherlands finish runners-up to Spain at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, began working with the squad in July when they embarked on their first camp to Salzburg, Austria.
The 67-year-old, who helped Saudi Arabia qualify for last year's World Cup in Russia, before going on to manage Australia at football's showpiece, was installed as the UAE coach in March.
He replaced Italian Alberto Zaccheroni, who led the Whites to the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup on home soil, earlier this year.
Frontman Ali Mabkhout, who has been plying his trade for Al Jazira in UAE domestic competitions, scored three goals while Al Ain's Ahmed Barman and Al Wasl's Ali Saleh scored a goal each.
Following their camp, which began on August 25, the squad returned home on Sunday. They will have a short break before flying to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.
The Whites are placed in Group G and will take on Malaysia in their opening fixture at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on September 10.
The other teams in the UAE's group are Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
The UAE's second fixture will be played at home, at the Al Maktoum Stadium, against Indonesia on October 10.
They then have a quick turnaround where they will travel to Bangkok to face Thailand on October 15. The UAE then play Vietnam on November 14.
The Whites then play the return leg against Malaysia at home on March 26 before making the trip to Jakarta to take on Indonesia on March 31.
The UAE's final two fixtures of the second round are at home to Thailand and Vietnam on June 4 and June 9 respectively.
james@khaleejtimes.com