Dubai: Dubai Sports City (DSC) has added another sport to the growing list it has hosted with the staging of the Australian Football League - Middle East (AFL - ME) Grand Final between the Dubai Dragons and the Dubai Dingoes.
The match, the climax of the AFL - ME season, was held at the DSC Academies Campus and proved to be a tightly-contested encounter between two first-time finalists with the Dragons eventually prevailing by four points. Afterwards, officials said they were delighted with the occasion.
Head of AFL - ME Walid Melhem said: "It was a great day out at Dubai Sports City with a good crowd of supporters, friends, family and kids and even the rugby guys that were on before us stayed to watch."
President of winning team, the Dubai Dragons, Nathan Byrne said: "We got up to win the flag but the Dingoes put up a massive fight to make the game a memorable one, especially for the spectators."
And coach of the Dubai Dragons Matthew Gribble added: "We had a great day at Dubai Sports City, chiefly as we won the Grand Final, but also the facilities were excellent and there was a good crowd in attendance."
The Dingoes side were three goals ahead at quarter-time but a five-goal spurt in the second quarter from the Dragons saw them hit the front never to be caught again.
In the end, the Dragons prevailed with nine goals and six behinds for 60 points to the Dingoes' eight goals and eight behinds totaling 56 points.
The third and fourth-placed play-off saw Abu Dhabi Falcons beat the Doha Kangaroos.
Maqbul Dudhia, General Manager - Sports Business at DSC, said: "Dubai Sports City is delighted to have hosted the AFL - Middle East Grand Final and we are also delighted that it was such a successful day for all concerned.
"The staging of the AFL - Middle East Grand Final is another indication of the versatility of the facilities we have at Dubai Sports City.
Further details of AFL action in Middle East can be found at http://www.afl-me.com.
