Dubai: A large crowd of overjoyed UAE football fans welcomed the nation’s victorious Under-23 team back into the country amid colourful scenes at Dubai Royal Airport late on Wednesday night.
Coach Mahdi Ali and his team brought glory to the UAE when they secured a first-ever appearance at an Olympic Games football tournament by topping their qualifying group, thanks to a dramatic 3-2 win over Uzbekistan in Tashkent earlier on Wednesday. They will now go on to play at grounds such as Wembley in London, Old Trafford in Manchester and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff this summer.
After celebrating their win on the pitch, the squad and staff were whisked off to Tashkent International Airport and made the three-hour journey back to Dubai on a chartered flight.
“I always had confidence and I was always optimistic. These guys always show that they will never give up,” inspirational boss Ali said.
Substitute Habboush Saleh scored the winner in injury time and after the match he said: “I feel something big to have scored the winning goal. This was the last match to qualify and I scored the winning goal in the last minute - I thank God and we hope we will do well in London for our country.
“I dedicate this win and this goal to all the people in the UAE. All groups, staff, players, coach, medic, everyone - the whole country.”
