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UAE Olympic team triumph

DUBAI — The UAE Olympic national team were crowned champions of the U-23 Gulf Cup following their narrow 1-0 victory over Kuwait in the final of the tournament at the Aspire Indoor Stadium in Doha on Saturday night. Ahmed Khalil headed home the all-important goal of the match 33 minutes into the first half of the tough encounter.

“Above all I would like to present the success to The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and to His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and the Rulers and people of the UAE.

“I think it’s a well deserved victory,” said a jubilant head coach Mahdi Ali later. “The players did nothing wrong and they have implemented the plan in the most convincing manner,” he added.

“I think this is the best preparation for the upcoming events including the Asian Games in China and the 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers,” he concluded.

UAE head of delegation, Rashid Al Zaabi, said the players have delighted the nation and lived up to the challenge.

“We knew that they could do it. I think they are the better side on the pitch and they are the only side which was unbeaten in four starts. Ahmed Khalil topped the scorers’ table with five goals and this is a new record,” he said.