The UAE's grip on the Gulf Cup remains firm, Ali Mabkhout's brace sending the holders through to the semi-finals as Group B runners-up courtesy of a 2-0 victory against Iraq.
The Al Jazira striker has been a constant source of inspiration for the UAE, in a campaign that really only came to life during he second half at a sparsely-filled King Fahd International Stadium. Mabkhout is the tournament's top scorer on four goals, three of these taken from the top draw.
Thursday night was not without nerves for the Whites during a repeat of the 2013 final. An awful opening 45 minutes saw them poised for a second group-stage exit as holders within five years, Oman's surge to an astonishing 5-0 triumph against Kuwait the source of panic.
The Red Warriors dumped the one-time leaders into third place courtesy of a 15-minute hat-trick from Salim Said either side of half-time.
The weight of victory from Paul Le Guen's men saw the UAE destined to play hosts Saudi Arabia in the second of Sunday's semi-finals, Oman facing Group A runners-up Qatar.
Star playmaker Omar Abdulrahman has long been billed as the sole saviour of UAE football. The Al Ain man sparkled again last night, but he is now not without peer.
Precious little happened during an awful first half, the only incident of note seeing Majed Hassan clatter into Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan Hachim when played through by Ahmed Khalil's first-time pass.
Coach Mahdi Ali was a source of constant movement on the touchline, urging his troops out of their slumber. He emerged early from the dressing room at the interval to jee up substitutes Habib Fardan and Mohamed Abdulrahman.
The message was clear that something had to change. That duly arrived from absolutely nowhere on 49 minutes.
A drop of the shoulder earned Mabkhout an inch of space he made the maximum out of, a rocket from 30 yards flying high into the top corner. The players erupted in celebration, this truly meant something.
A helping hand put the game beyond the Lions of Mesopotamia. Right-back Ali Faez Atiyah's under-cooked back-pass was intercepted by Khalil, who played in Mabkhout to sweep home a second.
The UAE dominated play against heartbroken opponents, Omar Abdulrahman heading wide inches from goal and sending another effort into the side-netting at the death.
Those misses didn't matter. The dream lives on for Ali's men.
