The Arabian Gulf dug deep to record arguably the finest result in their short history, overcoming the odds to secure a magnificent 30-26 World Cup qualification victory away to Chinese Taipei yesterday.
The visitors led 30-12 midway through the second half and appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win only for the home side to launch a furious comeback which produced two converted tries.
The momentum appeared to be with Chinese Taipei in a frantic finale, but the Gulf's defence was equal to the task and the final whistle, after an agonising period of time added on for stoppages, sparked extraordinary scenes of celebration.
It was an emotional day for the visitors who fielded four new caps in their starting line-up, including Dubai Hurricanes winger James Tometzki who had a day he will never forget, landing six of his seven kicks at goal for a crucial total of 15 points.
The 21-year-old converted from football to rugby only a year ago and was almost sick from nerves before kick-off.
But he showed terrific temperament to stroke over three penalties and three conversions, putting the seal on a superb team effort.
The Gulf forwards established the platform for the victory, dominating the scrums and gaining a crucial edge in the bruising close exchanges.
The visitors made the perfect start, dominating territorially and earning an early penalty in front of the posts which Tometzki easily landed.
He then added a 40-metre effort before Chinese Taipei retaliated with a quality try from their first meaningful attack, winger Ya-Lun Lu polishing off a long-range attack with an impressive burst of speed down the left.
Tometzki then was wide with a 35-metre effort before a skipper's try from Adrian Kerr extended the visitors' lead. The scrum-half hacked on a loose ball some 20 metres out and won the chase for the touchdown, Tometzki converting for a 13-5 advantage.
The home side responded with a period of pressure. No 8 David Clark pulled off a try-saving tackle on the left but soon after the visitors conceded a penalty try after Taipei were impeded taking a quick five-metre penalty.
The conversion from Wei-Jen Chang closed the gap to a point but the Gulf turned around happier after a storming break down the middle by Abu Dhabi centre Stephan Sphor.
He offloaded to Iutoi Tauafiafi and his fellow midfielder juggled the ball before stretching over the line to touch down for a try that Tometzki converted.
The Gulf maintained an iron grip in the first 20 minutes of the second half, Clark battering his way over from a five-metre scrum for a try while Tometzki converted and then added a vital 30-metre penalty.
But at 30-12 down, Chinese Taipei burst to life and quicker ball allied to some smart handling changed the face of the game, the home side's backs suddenly finding space to operate in.
Flanker Chun-Ming Chang found a gap in the Gulf's defence to break straight down the middle of the pitch while full-back Chien-Ju Lee then scored the try of the match with a startling burst of pace which took him past a handful of defenders.
Chang landed both conversions to put the home side within touching distance yet despite plenty of pressure in the closing moments, the Gulf held on to win. Skipper Kerr said: "To win is just awesome, and to do it away even better. It was a fantastic effort."
