The opening minutes saw play largely confined to the middle of the pitch with both sides struggling to maintain possession for prolonged periods.

Thimphu College, however, began to impose themselves and took the lead in the 25th minute, although the goal had a touch of fortune to it.

Goalkeeper Jaqueline Catano's clearance found forward Janista Jinantuya, who made her way to the left side of the penalty box before unleashing a shot.

The ball grazed defender Ghanima Rashid Alzaabi and the deflection left Banaat custodian Safiatu Salifu wrongfooted as it settled in the net.

The onus was on Banaat to find their way back into the tie but the UAE struggled to get a grip on the game.

Thimphu College, on the other hand, continued to dominate possession but failed to create and the Bhutanese side paid dearly for it in the 86th minute.

A third successive corner saw Banaat skipper floating the ball into the six-yard box, which the unchallenged Salha Rashid Alzaabi nodded home to steal a share of the points.