Historic win for Dubai club

Dubai Club earned promotion to the First division for the first time in the club's history after crushing Emarat Club of Ras Al Khaimah 4-0.

The win helped them to top the second division league with 70 points and a better goal difference than Al Dhafra, who also earned promotion to the first division.

The Dubai club supporters invaded the pitch when the referee blew his final whistle. They carried the players and their coaches on their shoulders singing and cheering them all the night. Their team got promoted despite the fact that Dubai club joined the Football Association in 1997 and won promotion in just five years.

Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai club, was delighted after the club earned promotion.

"I am very happy with this great achievement for the Dubai club. I am satisfied with what all the club members havedone - administrators, players, coaches and supporters and all those who backed the Dubai club until we won promotion. They all worked hard last season and succeeded in achieving this fine feat," said a jubilant Sheikh Rashid.

"Our father, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, is always encouraging and supporting us to achieve success. Without our father's advise we wouldn't achieve this excellent success," he added.

The Dubai club president said that the most important thing was to stay in the First division and not get relegated.

"I am not going to say we will win the First division title next season. However, we will do our best in the First division. The important thing is to stay in the first division. We will work hard in the next three - four years to win the title."

Sheikh Rashid responded to a question about his time in the coming season and whether he would concentrate on football or horse racing and endurance, he said: "I will do my best and spare no effort in all sports to keep the UAE flag flying high. In the coming season I will spare more time for football and the Dubai club."

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai club vice president, dedicated the great achievement to President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and to Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of Emirates.

Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE FA, also attended the match and congratulated Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan. Sheikh Saeed praised the Dubai club players and wished them good luck in the First division.

Dubai club dominated the match from the word go without giving Emarat any chance to advance. They led 3-0 in the first session. Ali Hasan opened the score for Dubai in the fifth minute, and Saeed Anan added two goals in the 23rd and 37th minutes. Mohammed Abdullah sealed victory for Dubai by scoring the fourth in the 62nd minute.