ABU DHABI, 31 January 2007 — The UAE pulled off one of the biggest achievements in their football history, beating Oman 1-0 yesterday to win the Gulf Cup for the first time.
Midfielder Ismaeel Matar was the hero, scoring the solitary goal for UAE after a well-organized strike.
President Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayed Al Nahyan, who was accompanied by the visiting Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, attended the final match.
Following the match, Sheikh Khalifa crowned UAE team as the champions of 18th Gulf Cup. He congratulated the players for the achievement and commended the performance of Oman as a difficult to beat team.
Sheikh Khalifa said that he was pleased to see UAE hosting the Gulf Cup. He stressed the importance of infusing values of patriotism, dedication and persistence through such sports events.
Sheikh Khalifa was congratulated by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, sheikhs and heads of delegations.
The Yemeni president bestowed Yemen’s Order of Unity on members of UAE and Oman teams.
The national football team will also receive a cash bonus of AED 5 million.
Etisalat and Emirates Post had each offered AED 2 million for the team if they win the 18th Gulf Championship. In addition, Dubai Holding had earlier announced a similar incentive, dangling AED 1 million to the UAE team if they succeed in annexing the Cup.
The chairman of the UAE Football Association, Yusuf Al Sarkal, thanked the Emirates Post and all other national institutions which made similar offers.
UAE took the title after Matar scored the 73rd minute winner in front of a crowd of almost 60,000. Matar was responsible for UAE’s presence in the final as he had come up with the last-gasp goal that downed defending Gulf Cup champions Saudi Arabia in the semifinal.
UAE’s star striker went close to scoring in the 31st minute but his near-post header was denied by Oman keeper Ali Habshi who produced another good save to keep the sides all square at the break. UAE had looked the more dangerous in the first half with in particular Abdul Rahim Juma looking sharp down the right while Oman’s main chance came in the 28th minute off a free kick.
Fan Rewards UAE Striker With Two Camels
Adds Reuters: A patriotic United Arab Emirates fan has presented top player Ismaeel Matar with two camels after the striker scored the goal against Saudi Arabia that sent his country into the Gulf Cup final.
Matar scored in injury time to give his team a 1-0 victory at the weekend.
One camel is worth $109,000 but Matar was quoted as saying on the AFC website: “I don’t think about these personal gains. All I’m thinking about is winning the title for my country.”
