Mohammad rewards soccer heroes

Dubai: The UAE Under-19 soccer team entered the history books by winning the Asian youth championships beating Uzbekistan 2-1 in the final held Friday night at the Mohammad Bin Fahd stadium in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

The first reward for the team came from General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, when he ordered a special plane to carry the players, officials and staff from Dammam to Makkah to visit the Kaaba and perform Omra, before returning last night to Abu Dhabi.

Ahmad Khalil was the hero of the UAE team, he scored the two goals which crowned the UAE Asian champions, not only that, he also won the tournament's best player and top goal scorer.

Khalil received special trophies from Prince Sultan Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz General President of Youth Welfare and President of the Saudi Football Association at the presentation ceremony after the match.

Spectacular

Thousands of UAE supporters filled the Mohammad Bin Fahd stadium in Dammam, they arrived via charter plane and many came by car, Saudi supporters and other Arab supporters in Dammam also backed the UAE team.

Ahmad Khalil opened the scoring for the UAE in the 33rd minute with a spectacular free kick from 25 metres, Khalil curled the ball above the defending wall and straight to the top corner of the net with the Uzbekistan goalkeeper Usmonov Doniyorjon just watching the ball entering.

After two minutes the UAE crossbar denied the Uzbekis from scoring the equaliser when Mamadaliyev's powerful shot hit the bar with UAE keeper Yousuf Abdul Rahman completely beaten.

Uzbekistan pressed in the second half to level the scoring, they succeeded in the 64th minute following a corner kick which UAE defenders and goalkeeper couldn't clear away, Kenja Turaev's shot went to the left of Abdul Rahman.

Ahmad Khalil did not wait long to score the UAE winner, he took advantage of a rebound ball off the hands of the Uzbekis keeper to slot home from close range in the 72nd minute.

The UAE lost several sitters in the remaining time and the Uzbekis tried hard to breakthrough, however they lacked the final touch in front of the UAE goal.

Hamdan Kamali led the UAE defence in the last minutes in style to deny the Uzbekis any scoring opportunities until Chinese referee Hai Tan blew the final whistle.

Al Rumaithi confident of title glory

Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, the FA board chairman said he was confident the UAE boys would clinch the title.

"Even after Uzbekistan equalised, I was not scared of losing the title. I was sure of our players," said Al Rumaithi.

"Our team was the best, winning all the matches until the final without defeat, winning best player and top goal scorer awards and conceding only three goals in six matches. I think all this proved we deserved to become Asian champions," he added.

Mehdi Ali, UAE coach said: "We are proud and happy to win the first Asian title for the UAE. The Uzbekis tried to close at the back and play counter attacks, but the magnificent strike by Ahmad Khalil from a free kick scoring the first goal, forced the Uzbekis coach to change his tactics which gave us space to launch several attacks," said Mehdi.

He said the team would go through a lengthy preparation programme for the World cup finals in Egypt.

"The World Cup will be in Egypt September 2009. A long preparation programme will be carried with training camps, playing several warm-up matches to be in good shape in the World Cup."

"My colleagues showed excellent performances and were the best. Without their support, I wouldn't be able to score or win the tournament's best player, thanks to them and to the UAE supporters who came a long way to support us in Saudi Arabia," Khalil said.

UAE skipper Hamdan Kamali said he was very pleased when he received the trophy. "It was an historic moment for me."

Did you watch the championships? Do you think the youngsters promise a bright future for UAE in football? Will this victory help bring forth more young talent?

Respect to this team and what they have won!We wish them all the best.
Mohammad Yaqoob
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 16, 2008, 08:14

Deserved victory.Yes,this victory will encourage youngstrrs to take a more active role.
Jyoti Prakash
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 16, 2008, 07:06