Following their 5-2 reverse against Poland on Wednesday, the hosts would have been looking to bounce back but two Slovakia goals at the start of the second half proved decisive.

Michal Jonas gave the visitors a 49th-minute lead, which Lubomir Michalik added to four minutes later to render Ismail Matar's late penalty a mere consolation.

UAE dominated the first half against a weakened Slovakia side but they failed to turn their superiority into goals.

The home side should have opened the scoring after nine minutes when Faisal Khalil broke the offside trap and found himself clean through on goal. He maintained his composure to square the ball to Matar, but the youngster blasted wastefully over the bar.

UAE missed another glorious opportunity six minutes before the break, Abdulraheem Jumaa's shot flashing wide of the upright.

They were to prove costly as Slovakia emerged after the break with greater attacking intent.
Coach Jan Kocian made two changes, bringing on Igor Zofcak and Michalik and it paid dividends.

It was Zofcak's corner which Jonas headed home to hand the visitors the lead after 49 minutes.

And Zofcak then created the second with a free-kick which Michalik headed past UAE keeper Walid Salem.

Home boss Bruno Metsu made several changes in a bid to reignite his side's fading challenge but they could only retrieve one goal, and that did not come until stoppage time.

Substitute Mohammed Srour was brought down inside the area and Matar scored from the spot.