UAE's remaining 2022 World Cup qualifiers rescheduled for October and November

The Football Association confirmed the fixtures following a video meeting with the Asian Football Confederation on Wednesday

The UAE's Omar Abdulrahman, right, and Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul of Thailand. EPA

UAE's Tareq Ahmed, right. Reuters

Thailand's Nitipong Selanon clears the ball. EPA

Thailand's Manuel Bihr holds off Ali Saleh of the UAE. Reuters

UAE's Khalil Ibrahim races away from Theerathon Bunmathan of Thailand. Reuters

UAE's Ali Mabkhout surrounded by Thailand players. Reuters

The UAE's Ahmed Barman, left, and Teerasil Dangda of Thailand. Reuters

Thailand's Teerasil Dangda, second right, scores the opening goal. EPA

Ali Mabkhout of the UAE celebrates after making it 1-1. EPA

Ali Mabkhout of the UAE celebrates with teammates after making it 1-1. EPA

Thailand's Sarach Yooyen shoots at goal. Reuters

UAE's Ali Mabkhout, left, celebrates after making it 1-1. EPA

Thailand manager Akira Nishino. Reuters

UAE's Ali Ahmed Mabkhout heads home. Reuters

Thailand's Eakkanit Punya has his shirt pulled by Mohammed Barqesh of the UAE. Reuters

Thailand's Teerasil Dangda celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal. EPA

Thailand's Eakkanit Punya celebrates with manager Akira Nishino after scoring their second goal . Reuters

The UAE will resume their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign later this year, with their remaining four Group G fixtures played across October and November.

The Football Association confirmed the fixtures, postponed because of the coronavirus, following a video meeting with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Wednesday.

Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri, the FA general secretary, said the qualifiers would now be played on October 8 and 13, and November 12 and 17. The decision was taken following consultation with Fifa.

Currently fourth in a five-team Group G, the UAE sit five points off leaders Vietnam, although they do have a game in hand over each of their rivals. They have still to play Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam at home, and Indonesia away. The matches were originally scheduled for March and June.

Of course, the UAE are still without a manager since they have yet to appoint a successor to Ivan Jovanovic, who was dismissed in March despite not taking charge of a match. The Serbian was appointed on a six-month contract in December, replacing Bert van Marwijk.

The FA had been waiting on confirmation of the rescheduled qualifiers before pushing on with its search for a new manager. It is understood there are currently four possible candidates for the role.

The future of the 2020 Asian Champions League was also discussed at Wednesday’s meeting, with the AFC committed to concluding its marquee club competition.

Postponed in March in the early stages of its group phase, plans are in place to complete all remaining 99 matches across the West and East zone, with September to November most likely to complete the groups and knockout stages up until the semi-finals.

The final would then take place in early December, leaving its winner free to participate in the Fifa Club World Cup later that month.