UAE win through to World Cup second round

Saeed Hassan al-Kas produced two superb goals inside four minutes as United Arab Emirates defeated Yemen 3-2 to move into the second round of the Asian Zone World Cup qualifying stage on Friday.

The UAE now top group eight with 12 points, pushing Yemen into second place with 11.

The UAE, desperate to win Friday's match, lifted their game when it mattered most to repulse a strong challenge from Yemen, who needed only a draw to sneak through to the second round.

The UAE struck through al-Kas in the 37th and 40th minutes with Yemen's Abdulsalam Ghalep scoring for the visitors in the 39th in a frantic period of action.

Yaser Salem Salah rounded off the UAE's tally in the 45th minute and Adel Abdullah Ali narrowed the margin for Yemen with a goal in the 61st.

The UAE, under new coach Abdullah Saqr who replaced Henry Michel of France for this match, had blown a chance of a goal in the 24th minute when Subait Khater sent a penalty kick straight to goalkeeper Mohammed Abdulkhalek.

The penalty was awarded after Yemeni defender Anwar Ahemd tripped a charging Yaser Salem inside the box.