Recently crowned champions Al Ain ended the 18th GCC Clubs League Winners Championship on a disappointing note, losing 2-0 to Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad in the tournament's last match played yesterday at Qatara stadium.

The hosts had already won the title after they beat Oman's Dhofar on Friday. With yesterday's win Al Ittihad finished runners-up with 10 points. Dhofar also collected 10 points but were placed third on goal difference.

The closing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture and UAE FA Chairman, Sheikh Hazaa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Chairman of Al Ain Honorary Council, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Head of the Civil Aviation directorate and heads of the various GCC delegations.

Both Al Ain and Al Ittihad played a neat and dynamic football. The Saudis appeared keener to win after Dhofar beat Bahrain's West Rifa'a 3-2 in an earlier game. Saudi's Ahmed Al Kharashy fired the first goal bound shot, but the ball went wide.

Tariq Faraj squandered another sitter but Hassan Al Yami made up the misses when he scored in the 22nd minute. The Saudis play defensively after the break and this helped Al Ain to launch a string of attacks.

Al Ittihad's Italian coach Jozaib Dosina pulled off 2000 world third highest scorer Hamza Idris for Marzoq Al Otaibi. Al Ain kept up the pressure, but it was Al Yami who came close to scoring for the Saudis in the 114th minute but the hosts skipper Fahd Ali saved.

However, Al Yami made no mistake with his second attempt and scored with a perfect and strong header that went in the right hand corner 13 minutes from time. Al Ain tried to reduce the result but failed.

Dhofar's Badr Juma'a was judged the best custodian in the tournament and his teammate Hani Al Dhabit the best player. Hassan Al Yami of Al Ittihad was the top scorer with 6 goals. West Rifa'a of Bahrain was named the ideal team.

At the end of the match Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, was joined by Sheikh Haza'a bin Zayed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarakand Abdul Aziz Al Atiya in giving away the trophies to the winners.