Abu Dhabi: The UAE's star striker Esmail Mattar has become a sure bet with the local fans and he is one of their hopes if the hosts are to win the Gulf Cup.
Mattar's last minute goal against Saudi Arabia led the UAE to the final, where they meet Oman tomorrow.
It was not just his crucial last minute striker in the semifinals. Mattar has also scored the fastest goal in Gulf Cup history, in 37 seconds, when the UAE took the lead against Kuwait. And then, with the scores tied at 2-2, he scored the winner in the last minute of the match.
"I will treasure this particular goal (against Saudi Arabia)because it put us in the final and one step to- wards achieving our dream of winning the Gulf Cup," Mattar said after an exhausting semifinal which broke him down both physically and mentally.
"My colleagues have played to their best. We were determined not to lose and we are thankful for the support of our loyal fans, who have given us the strength to fight and win," he added.
Mattar, who leads the tournament top scorers list with four goals from as many matches, endorsed the fact that, "we can overcome the strongest of opponents and we will enter the final with this mentality."
Meanwhile, midfielder Abdul Rahim Jumaa said, "We couldn't let down our fans. They came to the stadium six hours before the the start to support us and the least we can do in recognition is to win the title.
"We will not celebrate this victory more than we have already done as we have to start thinking about our final against Oman," he added.
Hilal Saeed, the UAE's pivot midfielder who played with an injury to his nose, said: "The match was difficult for both teams, but we won because of our determination. We will be even better in the final."
Hilal, who refused to be substituted after his injury, added that: "I was determined to play with my colleagues and I did not even feel the pain."
