Dates for the remaining fixtures of UAE's 2022 World Cup qualifiers were confirmed on Friday with four matches scheduled in October and November. The matches were set to take place in March and June but had to be delayed due to coronavirus pandemic. According to the new dates, the UAE will host Malaysia on October 8, before travelling to Indonesia for their match on October 13. The UAE then host Thailand on November 12 and Vietnam on November 17. Venues for the UAE's home matches are yet to be decided. The news should allow the team to sharpen their focus after they recently <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/ivan-jovanovic-sacked-as-uae-manager-before-taking-charge-of-a-game-1.1002265">lost the services of manager Ivan Jovanovic</a>. The Football Association parted ways with the Serbian in April, even though he had not taken charge of the first team for a match. The FA has drawn up a shortlist of four managers for the vacant post, with a decision expected to be taken next week. Spain's Under-21 manager, Luis de la Fuente, has been considered. Jovanovic, 57, was appointed as Bert van Marwijk’s successor in December and tasked with guiding the national team through to the third round of qualification for the 2022 World Cup. His tenure lasted 106 days. The UAE sit five points off leaders Vietnam in Group G, although they have played a game less than their rivals.
