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Shaikh Hazza hails UAE’s team spirit

Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulates all for the national U-23 team’s Gulf Cup triumph in Doha on Saturday

Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Honorary Chairman of the UAE Football Association, congratulated the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the people and residents of the UAE for the national U-23 team’s Gulf Cup triumph in Doha on Saturday.

Speaking to the UAE players and officials at the airport in Abu Dhabi on Sunday afternoon, Shaikh Hazza said he is delighted and proud with this team which had also won the 2008 AFC U-19 Cup. He said: “The future of the country’s football is bright with these talented players who did everything right on the pitch.”

Shaikh Hazza also mentioned that there are many national teams representing the country in different categories and all of them are promising.

“I would like to thank the UAE FA under the presidency of Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi for their great efforts to raise the country’s football. These achievements would not have been possible without their immense contribution. Now, we are confident that the local coach can bring more success. The local coach is the right choice for the players. The local coach can understand the players better and he can work very closely with them,” he said.

“There are so many factors behind this achievement. The culture and the mentality of the players, the coach and the officials also played a key role. The professional way of working began to pay dividends and the understanding of the society and families of the players have made the job easier,” he added.

Regarding his expectations for the future, Shaikh Hazza said he’s confident that this generation will be able to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

“All facilities have been made available for them and the FA is doing a great job,” he said.