DMI secured the DSC Etihad Monday Night 7s football title this week at the Sports Village at Dubai Sports City, doing so thanks to a thrilling penalty shoot-out win against former champion side The Dane Landers.

The final match-up between the two heavyweights had gone to spot-kicks after finishing 0-0 in open play and there was precious little to choose between the teams thereafter, either.

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In the end it was DMI that won through 7-6 on penalties to lift the title, a superb ending to a great tournament.

That encounter followed on from the Plate final, which saw Leo Pharma beat another former champion side, Victory Heights FC – the team drawn from the villa community that fringes The Els Club’s championship golf course within Dubai Sports City – 3-1.

The matches were a fitting climax to the latest edition of the tournament, sponsored by Etihad Airways, that began with 24 teams playing under the floodlights of the Dubai Sports City Football Academy.

The sides were divided into two groups with the top six from each after the first stage going into the Cup competition while those that remained contested for the Plate.

DMI moved into the final thanks to a 4-0 semi-final win against Cobra Kai while The Dane Landers overcame Taaj 4-2 for its shot at regaining the title.

As for the Plate finalists, Victory Heights FC won its semi-final 4-0 versus The Gravitons while Leo Pharma beat PIC FC 3-1.

SSS won the Gold award for Best Youth Development Programme at the Sports Industry Awards in Dubai in March.