As a warm-up for the deciding second-round showdowns to come against third-placed Palestine on Thursday and Group A leaders Saudi Arabia on March 29 during the long road to the 2018 World Cup, this wasn’t perfect. Too many dead alleys were run into against poor opposition to leave the coach content.

Ali knows much better will be required in the critical home tests at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium to steer his side into the next stage and move potentially one step away from a second-ever entry into the globe’s premier sporting event.

An opening-minute lead from excellent winger Ismail Al Hammadi was soon levelled by opponents at their bottom of their AFC qualification pool. Second-half goals from forward-trio Ahmed Khalil, Ahmed Ali and Salem Saleh then secured the spoils.

A chasmic 113 places in the FIFA rankings separated the two sides at an empty Zayed Sports City, for this behind-closed-doors friendly.

In the absence of injured 29-goal striker Ali Mabkhout – who is a doubt for both qualifiers with a hamstring problem – a thrashing seemed inevitable as the hosts went instantly ahead as Al Hammadi tapped into an open goal from Al Ahli team-mate Habib Fardan’s lofted ball.

Goalkeeper Majed Nasser’s sole contribution was to prove a bad one moments later as his spill allowed visiting target man Nabib Newaj Jibon an easy tap-in.

Frustration was the over-riding emotion during the rest of the half for Ali, trademark red cap bowed as further opportunities came to nought.

A trio of half-time substitutions and reshuffle was rewarded with an upturn. The 2015 AFC Asian Player of the Year Khalil made it seven goals in his last five appearances in white with a towering header from Bani Yas maestro Amer Abdulrahman’s corner.

Ali had frustrated during a wasteful opening. But he was handed the perfect opportunity to make amends on 66 minutes, tapping into an open goal after the lively Al Hammadi’s centre.

Gloss was provided towards the death. Substitute Saleh got a close-range double from Al Hammadi’s cross and full-back Raihan Hasan’s wretched clearance, before Ali made it two for himself with a smashed penalty after a handball.

The action which could determine Ali’s legacy awaits.