It's team first for Esmail Mattar

Abu Dhabi: Esmail Mattar, the UAE's attacking midfielder, has boosted his reputation with outstanding performance for his country in the 18th Gulf Cup, not to speak of the late winner against Saudi Arabia in the semifinals.

UAE's head coach, Bruno Metsu, is trying to lessen the pressures upon the young man by reiterating that the UAE consists of 11 good players and not just Mattar alone.

Mattar, the Best Player in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in 2003, realises that he shoulders the hopes of his country to win the title and knows that his goals have played a big role in taking the team to the final.

Mattar leads the top scorers list with four goals from as many matches and is highly tipped to win the MVP award of the tournament.

"Believe me, I don't think about these personal gains and titles. All I am thinking about now is winning the title for my country," he said yesterday.

"We will not be satisfied with second place. We want to win the title as we want to show that we are the best in this region," Mattar confirmed.