FIFA WC 2022: UAE win boosts play-off hopes

The UAE's hopes of reaching the play-offs for qualification to the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar have been strengthened following their 2-0 win over Syria.

Goals from Caio Canedo and Yahya Al Ghassani in either half saw The Whites bolster their position in Group A's play-off spot.

Second placed South Korea had earlier beaten Lebanon 1-0 to give the UAE a helping hand - there's now a 4 point gap between the UAE and the fourth place team.

Next up is a daunting match away to the continent's top ranked side Iran, in Tehran, on February the 1st - they secured their place in Qatar last night with a 1-0 win over Iraq.

Should the UAE claim third spot in Group A they will face the third place team in Group B in the Asia Play-off, with the winners heading to the World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs.

A draw on November 26 determined which continents will face off in each knockout match in June 2022 to complete the field of 32 World Cup teams.

In the past, these were held over two legs, but due to schedule congestion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they will be single-game knockout playoffs at a neutral venue.

Mon/Tues, June 13/14 Asia vs. South America

Mon/Tues, June 13/14 North America vs. Oceania

⏱️Full time....

A Four-point lead in the play-off spot established thanks to goals from Caio and Yahya Al Ghassani 💪🇦🇪#UAENT#WCQ2022#AsianQualifiers#UAEvSYRIA pic.twitter.com/iLqzzSAN2X

— UAE NT منتخب الإمارات (@UAEFNT) January 27, 2022