UAE footballers return today

DUBAI - The UAE Olympic national football team that won a historic silver medal in the football competition of the Asian Games in China will return home on Saturday via a special flight from Guangzhou. The boys are expected to touch down at the Emiri Airport at 4pm.

By Hisham Al Gizouli

Published: Sat 27 Nov 2010, 11:40 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:33 AM

Putting up a spirited display, UAE footballers stormed into the title clash before losing 0-1 in a heartbreaking final against Japan on Thursday.

The UAE team had plenty of support during and after the Asian  Games campaign. A popular Arab restaurant in Guangzhou Saba hosted a special dinner in honour of UAE footballers after they have claimed the silver medal.

The dinner was attended by the resturant’s owner Ismail Mohuddin, the head of delegation Saeed Abdul Ghaffar, Abdul Wahab Al Ahmed in addition to the members of the delegation and other officials from the UAE athletics squad.

Abdul Ghaffar thanked the owner and staff of Saba Restaurant for the Arab hospitality and warm welcome.

UAE footballers thanked Arab and Chinese fans that cheered them throughout the competition.

Enjoying the high skill and performance of UAE players, fans shouted slogans and waved the UAE flag whenever the footballers were in action in China.

According to Ali Khusaif, UAE players were hoping to delight their fans with a triumph in the final but they were little unlucky. “But the silver medal is an achievement in itself,” he said.

Later, UAE players visited tourist venues of the Guangzhou city and also enjoyed the shopping experience and special dinner at one of the Arab restaurants.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com