Rashed Salem Khalfan finished as the tournament’s top scorer while Dubai’s FC Hatta under-17 team clinched the Evima Cup Albena 2014 in Bulgaria.

Despite losing their opening match to Cherno More Varna 2-0, the UAE side beat Kazakhstan’s FC Kaspiy and FC Kairat 3-2 and 2-1 respectively, as well as an impres­sive 6-0 win over Bulgaria’s FC Do­brudja.

Khalfan finished with a tally of six goals as FC Hatta topped the league with nine points, two ahead of runners-up FC Kaspi.

FC Cherno finished in third place.

Coach Azzam Ahmed Barkook praised the effort of his squad, which consisted of 18 Emiratis, as well as players from Oman, Syria, France, Egypt and Sudan.

He said: “It was a tremendous ef­fort by the boys as we worked very hard in preparing for this competi­tion.

“There were some strong teams and I knew before the competition started that it would not be easy to win. Each player played to their strengths and despite losing the opening game, the boys didn’t allow the defeat to affect them mentally Instead, they remained concentrat­ed and played great football.”

Speaking of Khalfan, the coach added: “He had a very good tourna­ment and his goals were of the high­est quality.”

With the trip organised by MICE Sports, Barkook is hopeful the team can compete in more international competitions.

“The boys learned a lot in the competition. Overall, it was a good experience for the team and this will give them the confidence to do well in the future,” he said.