The UAE's Omar Abulrahman, left, in action against Waleed Aly, of Kuwait, during their Gulf Cup semi-final in Manama. Marwan Naamani / AFP

The UAE's Omar Abulrahman, left, in action against Waleed Aly, of Kuwait, during their Gulf Cup semi-final in Manama. Marwan Naamani / AFP

Ahmed Khalil fires UAE into Gulf Cup final with dramatic late winner

The National staff

Ahmed Khalil, the hero of UAE’s win over Oman in the last group game, took the Whites into the final of the Gulf Cup with a last gasp winner against Kuwait tonight.

After a barren first-half, when the UAE created many chances and Khalil was denied once by the post, the Al Ahli striker connected perfectly with his club teammate Abdulaziz Haikal’s cross in the 89^th minute to send the UAE fans into a frenzy.

This will be the UAE’s fifth appearance in the final of the Gulf Cup and the first since they won the trophy at home in 2007. They await the winner of the second semi-final between hosts Bahrain and Iraq.

The final is to be played on Friday.

arizvi@thenational.ae

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Gulf Cup of NationsReports, interviews and features from the Gulf Cup of Nations in Bahrain.

What now for Mahdi Ali's side? Paul Oberjuerge looks at the impact the UAE's success in Bahrain will have on the side's future. Read

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