Thailand score first goal but outclassed by U.A.E. in Abu Dhabi

AP Photo/Vincent Thian

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Thailand scored their first goal of the final round of 2018 AFC World Cup qualifying, but fell to a third consecutive defeat as they lost 3-1 to United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night.

A brace from Ali Mabkhout ensured victory for U.A.E., who finished third at last year's AFC Asian Cup.

Mabkhout scored in both halves against a spirited Thailand side who gave themselves a glimmer of hope through Tana Chanabut's effort that made it 2-1 in the 65th minute.

But the Emiratis made sure of the points in Group B with Ahmed Khalil's goal in added time.

The Thais began brightly, and could have taken the lead in the 11th minute. Kroekrit Thaweekam's low cross from the left rolled dangerously across the box, but Mongkol Tossakrai wasn't able to make contact.

But three minutes later, the hosts were ahead after Omar Abdulrahman released Mohammed Fawzi on the right. His cross was touched by Salem Saleh before Mabkhout appeared at the far post.

The U.A.E. doubled their lead two minutes after half-time. Abdulrahman's first time pass drifted into Mabkhout's path, and the forward's shot beat Thai goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan.

Kawin denied Tariq Ahmed in the 55th minute before the Thais got back into the game.

Substitute Tana, who had just replaced Mongkol, produced a clinical finish, at the near post, past U.A.E. custodian Majed Nasser.

Thailand boldly looked for the equaliser but conceded again in added time. Mabkhout helped set up his striker partner Khalil, who received the return ball from Abdulrahman.

"The U.A.E.'s early goal changed our tactics for the night, and it distracted the players, who lost their concentration," head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang told the-afc.com.

"However, we made some substitutions in the second period and made some tactical changes and those changed the situation in the match.

"We tried our best to stop the threat of the U.A.E. players but they had the upper hand, even though we were close to scoring an equaliser. The substitutions we made fixed our performance, and hopefully we can improve things in the next matches."

Thailand will next face Iraq in Tehran while U.A.E. travel to Jeddah to play West Asian rivals, Saudi Arabia.