UAE's route to the World Cup now set

Wednesday, 2 February 2022 06:33

By ARN News Staff

Any hope of the UAE securing an automatic World Cup spot in Qatar this November was finally extinguished on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 defeat away against Iran.

That loss and South Korea's 2-0 victory against Syria means the UAE will have to face a series of play-offs if they are to reach the finals for the first time since 1990.

With Lebanon lurking 3 points behind the Whites in 4th spot in Group A, the team know what they need to do in the last two matches of group qualification next month.

They'll be eyeing a win in the first fixture away against Iraq - they then finish off with a home tie against the South Koreans.

More from Sports News

Rory McIlroy tied for lead to begin Masters defence

Rory McIlroy began the defence of his first Masters title with a 5-under-par 67 that gave him a share of the first-round lead with Sam Burns at Augusta National on Thursday.
New Zealand's Watts banned for punching fellow rider during race

World cycling's governing body (UCI) said it has banned New Zealand's Kiaan Watts for 25 days after he punched a fellow rider during a race last month.
Watkins inspires Villa victory at Bologna while Forest battle to Porto draw

Ollie Watkins struck twice as Aston Villa claimed a 3-1 win at Bologna, while a Martim Fernandes own goal helped Nottingham Forest secure a 1-1 draw at Porto in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final ties on Thursday.
Sabalenka withdraws from Stuttgart Open due to injury

Aryna Sabalenka has pulled out of this month's Stuttgart Open due to an injury she sustained following her Miami Open triumph in March, the world number one said on Thursday.
Brazil's Cardoso first bowler to take 9 wickets in a T20 international

Brazil's Laura Cardoso became the first bowler to take nine wickets in a T20 international in men's or women's cricket as her team claimed a 189-run victory over Lesotho at the Kalahari Women's Tournament in Botswana's capital Gaborone on Thursday.