Nader Almahri was lying flat out on the ground as Tulysse Vivaldi completed his 56-yard run into the end zone that earned the Abu Dhabi Wildcats victory over Dubai Stallions in Desert Bowl II.

The Emirati was still on his back as the cheers of the crowd confirmed that his team-mate and Emirates American Football League (EAFL) MVP had scored the game’s defining touchdown.

The applause might not have been directed at him, but that did not stop him breaking into a big grin. It was his block that had enabled the running back’s switch-back move to bear fruit.

“On the last run I made the last block that allowed Vivaldi go for the touchdown,” Almahri told Sport360°. “I gave it all I had, sacrificed my body just for him to pass and that was it. I was on the ground hearing it was a touchdown and I was smiling. I was in pain but I was smiling.”

Tulysse’s touchdown levelled the scores at 13-13 all late in the fourth quarter at Dubai Sports City, David Brown’s nerveless PAT gave them the extra point they needed to retain their crown.

For Almahri, it was a magical moment. The 26-year-old now has two championship winner’s medals from two years in the EAFL. The Ras Al Khaimah-born player only took up the game in the summer of 2010 after he was alerted to UAE Falcons trials a day before they were due to happen.

Successful, Almahri spent the next two years travelling from his home in Abu Dhabi – where he relocated in 1995 – to Dubai twice a week for practice.

The birth of the EAFL two years ago meant he didn’t have to travel just to play, and now he hopes the Wildcats’ success will make the UAE government take notice.

“For me, as an Emirati, it was just an honour to introduce the game to the UAE and prove there are a few locals out there who can actually do this, it’s not just for the Americans and Canadians.”

Almahri added: “I hope we can get more support from the government to help grow the game in the UAE.

“It’s improving, we just need more support and advertising in the local community.”

The Wildcats side that lines up next season could be much changed from that which secured their second successive championship last Friday.

Among those set to depart Abu Dhabi are defensive captain Ryan Michalenko, quarterback Amos Daniel and assistant coach John Lee Oliva.

Almahri believes the departure of that influential trio in the off-season helped spur the Wildcats to victory in Dubai.

“A few people on the team are leaving after this Desert Bowl so obviously it was an important victory to have, and to do it again, to repeat it,” he added.