The UAE fell behind after just 33 seconds but recovered brilliantly to begin their 2022 World Cup-qualifying campaign with victory over Malaysia – the first official one of the Bert van Marwijk era.
Van Marwijk’s new-look side – a mix of exciting youth and experienced old heads – had their struggles, especially early on, when they fell behind to Syafiq Ahmad’s header with half a minute on the clock.
The hosts started rapidly at a raucous Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur but a brace either side of the break from lethal Ali Mabkhout – who reached half a century of goals from just 80 caps – secured a hard-fought and deserving win.
