Earlier in the day, IHS defeated Adab Iranian School 2–0 while GEMS Our Own Indian held their own against sister school GEMS New Millennium Al Khail 2–1 in the quarter-final.

Both sides were exhausted but still gave their best in the final game. IHS Oud Metha edged GEMS Modern Academy 3–2 on penalties in the semi-final while GEMS Our Own Indian thrashed titleholders French school LFI Georges Pompidou 4–0 in their semi-final encounter.

With both teams looking to create chances, Safwan Beig of IHS saw one and made a looping shot that was deflected by a GEMS Our Own Indian School defender to keeper Adithya Jairaj, who was not able to save it get past the goal.

That was the only goal scored in the game and that was enough to give IHS-Oud Metha a reason to celebrate when the final whistle was blown. IHS coach Khrisnendra Dubey said: “Yes, it was a lucky break but that was not the only reason we emerged winners in the Dubai tournament.”

Citing team effort, Dubey added: “Nobody played an individual game it is a team sport. When someone was down, somebody stepped up.”

Dubey praised replacement goalkeeper Kyle Fernandes who substituted Joel Sam after getting injured early in the first half of the final.

Fernandes, a midfielder, was undaunted and proved his skills by keeping a clean sheet and saving at least four on-target shots by GEMS Our Own Indian School.

GEMS Our Own Indian School’s Pundalik Roogi said they can still bounce back in the knockout stage.

“We had a tough win against LFI – we dominated them 4-0 and that consumed all our energy,” he said.