Mabkhout, who netted 23 goals in 26 Arabian Gulf League games last season, fired the only goal at the Pinatar Arena in San Pedro to give Mahdi Ali’s Whites victory on Thursday as they build up to a crucial round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

The UAE face Asia powerhouses Japan and Australia on September 1 and 6 respectively.

Mabkhout netted the only goal in the 27th minute, getting on the end of a beautifully lofted pass from Al Ain playmaker Omar Abdulrahman to fire a crisp finish past Las Palmas stopper Raul Lizoain.

Mabkhout was partnered in attack by Al Ahli’s Ahmed Khalil, with Abdulrahman and Ismail Al Hammadi flanking them.

Los Amarillos included an array of star names in their starting line-up, including last season’s top-scorer, Jonathan Viera.