The UAE emerged Under-23 Gulf Cup football champions after defeating Kuwait 1-0 in the final at the Aspire Academy indoor Stadium in Doha on Saturday night.
Senior international Ahmed Khalil scored the winner in the 33rd minute scrambling to head home a cross from the right by Abdulaziz Haiqal to continue his tryst with destiny.
Young Khalil emerged as the star of the second Under-23 Gulf Cup with his fifth goal of the tournament.
The 19-year-old striker from Al Ahli scored a brace in the 3-1 semifinal win over Qatar but the diving header in the final was undoubtedly one of the most important of his career.
Khalil was also the top scorer in the Under 19 Asian Cup which the UAE won in 2008 and was adjudged the Asian Youth Player of the year.
He also spearheaded the UAE into the last eight round of the Under 20 World Cup in Egypt last year.
The UAE side led by Mohammed Fawzi stepped up their game in the final after being held 1-1 by Kuwait in a round robin game earlier with goalkeeper Yousuf Abdulreham bringing off some splendid saves.
It was another feather in the cap for coach Mahdi Ali with the President of the UAE Football Association Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithie congratulating the team on their achievement.
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