Omar wants to sign off in a blaze of glory

Abu Dhabi If there is one man in the UAE squad who is desperate to lay his hands on the Gulf Cup, it is the UAE captain Mohammad Omar.

At 32, it is highly unlikely that Omar may be around during the next edition in Oman, but more importantly if there is one player who truly represents the UAE, it is Mohammad Omar.

For the brother of former UAE striker Zuhair Bakhit is perhaps the only one player who has played club football in three major cities of the UAE.

Omar, who started off in Al Wasl, then shifted over to Al Ain and is currently playing in Abu Dhabi for Al Jazira.

"Well, I am happy I made the move than and I am also thankful to all those who made it possible. For sure that move has helped tremendously," he said, speaking to Gulf News yesterday.

Oman remembers the Asian Cup final played at the Zayed Sports City stadium when Zuhair was part of the team which lost in tie-breaker to Saudi Arabia.

"Yes, I would want to win the Cup, not only for the people of the UAE but also for my brother," he said.

The star striker was very honest when he said: "I do want to become the first UAE captain to hold the Gulf Cup. It is very important for the UAE and for me, a victory will do wonders to my CV," said Omar, who at times has borne the brunt of fans.

Even in the semifinals, a section of the fans wanted him out instead of Faisal Khalil but Omar's experience in taking penalties was perhaps why the senior striker and captain was preferred by Metsu as the game looked headed for extra time and a shootout.

The highly-skilled Omar was ice-cool when he sent Yemeni keeper the wrong way while converting a penalty earlier in the group game.

"I hope 2007 brings the luck and we emerge as the new Gulf Cup champions," the UAE captain said.