Today's 2015 Asian Cup draw in Sydney pitted the UAE against Iran, Qatar and Bahrain in Group of next year's Asian Cup tournament in Australia.

Mahdi Ali's side, who were undefeated in qualifying as they progressed to next January’s tournament top of Group E, were placed in pot two for the draw which took place at the city’s famous Opera House.

Mabkhout was the joint-top scorer in qualifying, alongside Iran’s Reza Ghoochannejhad, with five goals. In total the UAE scored 18 in six games, while conceding just three as they won all but one of their Group E matches to establish themselves as a rising force on the continent.

That run helped Mahdi’s men climb into the top 60 in the FIFA World Rankings, and although they slipped back to No61 in the last list, they did keep their place as the fifth best team in Asia.

The draw in full

Group A
Korea Republic 
Australia 
Oman
Kuwait

Group B
Saudi Arabia
China PR
DPR Korea
Uzbekistan

Group C
UAE 
Qatar
Bahrain
Iran

Group D
Jordan
Iraq
Japan
AFC Challenge Cup winners

More to follow…