UAE eye win to keep Fifa World Cup dream alive

Paulo Bento's UAE will look to end their winless run when The Whites take on Kyrgyzstan in a crucial Fifa World Cup qualifier at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (8 pm kick off UAE Time).

Trailing Group A leaders Iran and Uzbekistan by six points, anything less than a win will have dire consequences on UAE's hopes of a second appearance at the global stage.

The UAE kicked off their campaign with a stunning 3-1 win over Qatar but have since gone on a winless run with just a draw against North Korea adding to their haul.

Edged 1-0 by both Iran and Uzbekistan, UAE have been competitive but that is not enough to take them through and need maximum points against Kyrgyzstan.

The Central Asian side, making their debut at this stage of Fifa World Cup qualifying, have also been competitive but have lacked the killer instinct required at this level.

The 1-0 win over North Korea on Matchday Four, however, would have boosted confidence and they will travel to Abu Dhabi with a spring in their step and hoping to add points to their campaign.

Meanwhile, Qatar know that defeat to Uzbekistan in Doha on Thursday will be catastrophic to their hopes of securing automatic qualification for the World Cup.

The two-time Asian champions are on four points, six behind leaders Iran and Uzbekistan, with the qualifying campaign reaching the halfway stage.

Head coach Marquez Lopez will expect a reaction from his Qatar side following their stunning 4-1 defeat to Iran on Matchday Four.

Uzbekistan, however, will be extremely tough opponents as they have been thriving in the AFC Asian Qualifiers with only Iran being able to take points off them so far.

Seeking a first ever appearance at the Fifa World Cup, the Central Asian side will fancy their chances of walking away with the three points against a Qatar side struggling with consistency.

Asian giants Iran will face North Korea in Lao National Stadium KM16, knowing that victory will almost surely secure their ticket to the World Cup.

Iran, on 10 points, lead the standings ahead of Uzbekistan on goal difference with both sitting six clear of the UAE and Qatar after just four matches.

Seeking a fourth consecutive appearance at the World Cup and seventh overall, Iran's qualification campaign has been serene.

The opening two matchdays saw the Central Asian side registering 1-0 wins over Kyrgyzstan and UAE, with a tough 0-0 draw with Uzbekistan following.

Iran, however, were at their scorching best against Qatar on Matchday Four as they cruised to an emphatic 4-1 win and with their key players all available, they will fancy their chances against North Korea in the neutral venue of Vientiane.

While North Korea still have a mathematical chance of securing one of the two top spots which will guarantee automatic qualification, they will need to win their remaining matches and hope other results go in their favour.

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