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Hamdan Bin Zayed receives UAE juniors National team

H.H sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, received on Friday evening at the Emiri Airport in Abu Dhabi the mission of the UAE Under-17 football team, champions of the 7th GCC juniors cup following their 2-1 victory over their Saudi Arabia opponents in the final match played at Jaber Al Ahmed stadium in Kuwait on Thursday evening September 30. The UAE juniors also won the second Gulf Olympic teams championship lately organized by Qatar. The UAE juniors came in the final match to revenge to their loss in the opening match of the championship when they lost to Saudi Arabia by the same result. The champions striker Waleed Amber scored twice in the final decisive encounter to help his side lift up the trophy.

The reception was attended by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi chairman of the UAEFFA, Yousuf Al Sarkal deputy chairman of the AFF along with some members of the UAFFA board of directors and other dignitaries.

In his statement to media men Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed hailed the continuous support provided to the UAE sports by H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of UAE, General Commander of the UAE Armed Force, H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and General Lt. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces which resulted in big progress, development and achievements acquired by the UAE National teams.

"You achieved this great victory and you are still young players, but I advise you to take care of your selves, listen carefully to the directives of your coaches and managers to preserve your promotion as you represent the future of your country in football", Sheikh Hamdan told the UAE juniors.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed hailed the tremendous efforts exerted by the UAEFF headed by Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi to promote and upgrade the technical standard of football especially in age groups which resulted in the big achievements by the different national teams at all levels. His highness also lauded the abilities and capabilities of the UAE coaches and referees, hoping that one of the local coaches would lead the UAE first National team and help them qualify to the world cup to repeat 1990 achievement in Italy. Sheikh Hamdan disclosed that the UAE capital Abu Dhabi is likely to host the 2013 Youth World Cup as well as the under-17 Ladies World Cup.