Arsenal end UAE 1990 dream run

Dubai : The UAE 1990's outing at the Emirates Airlines Dubai Football Sevens ended in heartache last night as they went down fighting to Arsenal in the Legends Division Trophy competition. They finished as runner-up.

The Emirati team, comprising a handful of the players who represented the UAE at the 1990 World Cup, lost 3-2 to the ex-Gunners side, which triumphed courtesy of goals from Martin Hayes, Anders Limpar and Danny O'Shea.

Ebrahim Saleh and Bakhit Sa'ad reduced the deficit for the hosts who went down fighting.

Hayes put Arsenal ahead, but Saleh equalised just before half-time. The second half belonged to Arsenal who came out all guns blazing. Limpar and O'Shea added a two-goal cushion before Sa'ad pulled one back to reduce the deficit.

The Emiratis rode into the finals on the back of a solid 5-1 hammering of Chelsea. Abdul Sultan fired a brace and Fahd Khamis, Adnan Al Talyani and Hassan Mohammad scored one each as the UAE's 1990 World Cup heroes ran riot over their English opponents.

On the other hand, goals from Hayes, Limpar and Ian Selley, ensured Arsenal won comfortably against Manchester United.

Rovers ride roughshod

The Professional Trophy was won by England's Blackburn Rovers, who thrashed Dutch side Feyenoord 5-0.

Maceo Rigters scored twice while Jason Banton, Nick Blackman and Jackson Ramm all netted once each for Blackburn.

In the amateur half of the competition, Dubai College only just managed to beat Kickers FC 1-0 for the Boys Under-18 crown, while the Abu Dhabi Thistle clinched the U-16 title with a 1-0 win as well. The Ladies Division was won by Emerson Dubai, which beat Dubai College 2-0.

Lekki Strikers won the Amateur Men's title with a comfortable 4-1 victory over the Vets Posties, while Jebel Ali School of Excellence and Abu Dhabi Thistles won the U-13 and U-15, respectively, on penalties.