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Victory sees UAE achieve its goal
The Gulf Cup tournaments have always been one of the most important competitions not only to the people of the UAE but to all the football fans in the Arab Gulf since it kicked off in Bahrain in 1970.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:28 December 31, 2007
The Gulf Cup tournaments have always been one of the most important competitions not only to the people of the UAE but to all the football fans in the Arab Gulf since it kicked off in Bahrain in 1970.
Despite the fact that the UAE won promotion to the finals of the World Cup in 1990, it was the Gulf Cup title that the people waited for.
It was the first tournament that the UAE took part in, only three months after the establishment of the federation in December 1971.
The first UAE national team was formed only days after the announcement of the new state and left for Saudi Arabia to participate in the second Gulf Cup in March 1972.
Over the years, the Gulf Cup tournaments have become more like derby matches with the competitions pairing together neighbouring teams.
The ease of travel between the Gulf countries and with the football fans meeting regularly, the rivalry increased with each nation supporting and dreaming of their national team winning the title.
The UAE's fans had to wait till January 2007 for the realisation of their dream when their boys won the 18th title at Zayed Sports City after victory eluded them three times in 1986, 1988 and 1994 in which they finished second.
Winning the Gulf Cup was important in building the UAE players' confidence in their capabilities, expanding their winning mentality and creating a new generation of young players who joined the victorious team at the top and will go on to new achievements for the game in the near future.
Winning the Gulf Cup was also important in building the confidence of the local fans in their team following a decade of poor results and at the same time increasing official support to the game.
With the Professional League expected to kick off next season, more foreign players in the domestic competitions and the continuous preparations of the different national teams, it will not take long to see the country again in the finals of the World Cup and adding more regional titles to its tally.
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