The UAE national team staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Oman 2-1 in Doha on Saturday, taking a major step towards qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1990. Late goals from Marcus Meloni and Caio Lucas secured a vital three points in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers.
The victory places the UAE at the top of Group A with three points, ahead of Qatar and Oman who are tied on one point each. The team now needs only to avoid defeat against Qatar in their next match on 14 October to secure a direct berth for the 2026 tournament.
A Hard-Fought Battle
At a packed Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, UAE head coach Cosmin Olaroiu started with Brazil-born forwards Fabio Lima and Caio Lucas, but it was Oman who struck first. In the 12th minute, an effort from Amjad Al Harthi deflected off UAE defender Kouame Autonne for an own goal.
Stunned by the early setback, the UAE began to assert control in midfield. Argentina-born midfielder Nicolas Gimenez came close to equalising in the 21st minute, but his shot was well saved by Oman’s goalkeeper, Ibrahim Al Mukhaini. Despite persistent pressure, the UAE went into half-time trailing, frustrated by a combination of missed chances and solid Omani defending.
Second-Half Turnaround
Olaroiu, who remains undefeated since taking charge in April, made several substitutions in the second half, bringing on Caio Canedo, Yahia Nader, and Harib Abdalla. The changes injected new energy into the attack, putting Oman under immense pressure.
The UAE were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute after Ali Saleh was fouled, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review. Undeterred, and spurred on by the passionate support of their travelling fans, the team continued to press. Their persistence paid off in the 76th minute when Meloni headed in a superb cross from Saleh to level the score.
Just seven minutes later, Caio Lucas sealed the victory with a remarkable long-range strike from the left, which bounced awkwardly before finding the back of the net. The UAE then endured a tense 12 minutes of injury time to secure the win.
The Path to Qualification
A draw against hosts Qatar will be enough to end the UAE’s 35-year wait for a World Cup appearance. Qatar, however, must win to advance directly. Oman’s hopes now rest on a comprehensive UAE victory over Qatar, which could see them finish second.
The second-placed team in Group A will enter a two-legged play-off in November against the runner-up from Group B, which includes teams such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia. The winner of that tie would then proceed to an intercontinental play-off in March for a final chance to qualify for the tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Olaroiu’s side will be determined to avoid this complicated route by securing the point they need against Qatar.
