There was penalty shootout heartache for defending champions UAE as they surrendered their GCC Under-23 crown to arch rivals Oman on Sunday night.
After a goalless 120 minutes in the final in Doha the game went to spotkicks, where the Omanis, who had created numerous chances throughout the night, clinched a deserving win.
Oman had beaten the UAE 3-2 in the group stage of the competition and looked dangerous going forward throughout the match.
However, Emirates goalkeeper Ahmed Mahmoud did well to keep his side in the contest, especially in the closing minutes of the game when he made a stunning diving save to thwart danger from an Omani free-kick.
Oman’s best chance of the match arrived in the 74th minute when Qasem Saeed beat Mahmoud only to see his effort crash off on to the left hand post.
In the shootout, Mohamed Ali Gharib and Abdulaziz Sankor were the unfortunate duo to miss for the UAE, while Oman converted all for of their penalties to take the title.
In the third-place playoff, 2008 champions Saudi Arabia beat hosts Qatar 2-1.
