Caio Canedo and Fabio Lima of Brazil scored, while replacement Mohammad Juma Eid added a late goal as the UAE overcame Thailand 3-1 in their combined 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asia Cup qualifying match at the Zabeel Stadium on Monday.

The UAE has kept its qualifying chances alive with its second consecutive victory. To advance to the next round, the UAE needed to win all four of their remaining games.

After two straight victories, the picture is brighter and the goal is within sight. Following the victory, the UAE cemented their second-place position, while the leaders of Vietnam maintained their domination on the top of Group G with a 4-0 defeat of Indonesia in another match of the day. Only the champion and the four best runners-up will progress to the next round immediately. Thailand was allowed a free kick in the sixth minute by referee Ryuji Sato, but UAE goalkeeper Ali Kahseif Humaid produced a spectacular save to thwart the visitors' chances of grabbing an early lead.

Thailand was disappointed by the UAE defence superb display of technique and brilliance. They simply kept the ball moving amongst themselves to maintain control.

Caio once again demonstrated his value, scoring from long range in the 14th minute to put the hosts ahead.

Thailand came within a goal of tying the game in the 18th minute, but Ekanti Panya's misplaced effort flew over the crossbar.

Four minutes later, the Whites might have extended their advantage, but Ali Mabkhout failed to finish a shot and sailed it across the goalpost. A few minutes later, he missed another chance to add to their lead as his attempt flew wide towards the left of the net.

The UAE continued to attack, with both the Brazilian combination and Ali Mabkhout producing opportunities to put pressure on the visitors.

Fabio headed a ball from Mohammad Bandar into the net in the 33rd minute to make it 2-0. Fabio jumped on a wonderful pass from Bandar to score the second goal for the hosts. Thailand attempted to regain parity in the second half by playing some offensive football, but an athletic UAE goalkeeper, Kahseif, held them at bay.

Suphanat Mueanta broke the stalemate for Thailand in the 54th minute, cutting the score to 2-1.

However, Juma Eid also was in the midst of the action in extra time, as he slammed the ball into the net with a crisp strike from the right corner of the box.

Thailand beat the UAE 2-1 in the opening leg of the World Cup qualifiers in 2019 to put an end to the Whites' winning streak, which had begun ambitiously with victories over Indonesia and Malaysia.

Bert Van Marwijk had been in charge at the time, having returned to the UAE for his second tenure as a coach.  Van Marwijk admitted before the game that the current UAE squad is superior to the previous team, who defeated Thailand in the first leg. UAE have strengthened their team with a few fresh additions, giving teeth to their assault while also strengthening their defence.

The UAE granted nationality to three Brazilians – Sebastian Tagliabue, Candeo, and Lima – allowing them to compete for the Gulf nation in the 2022 World Cup.

The three will be the first Latin Americans to representing the UAE on a global stage. The UAE FA's decision to naturalize the Brazilian imports was spurred by the UAE FA's desire to increase their chances of qualifying for the showcase tournament in Qatar.

In 1990, the White made their only participation in the worldwide tournament. This is a perfect chance for the Whites to re-establish their position on the world stage.

Sunil Chhetri of India and Ali Mabkhout of the UAE continue to play catch-up. Ali Makhout surpassed Argentina's Lionel Messi and Chhetri with such a brace in the most recent encounter against Malaysia, bringing his international goal count to 73.

However, Chhetri scored twice in the last minutes against Bangladesh to strengthen India's chances of qualifying for the third round of the Asian Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023. During the process, Chhetri passed Ali Mabkhout for the 74th time.