UAE cruise to 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Kuwait

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates made early headway in Group Five after a convincing 2-0 win over Kuwait in their 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

The UAE took the lead after 14 minutes through striker Mohamed Al Shehhi and added a second eight minutes after the interval from Faysal Khalel.

The Gulf champions, whose sole appearance at the World Cup finals came 18 years ago, top the all-Middle East group after Iran were held to a goalless draw with Syria in Tehran.

(Writing by Martin Petty in Bangkok, editing by Justin Palmer)