UAE to play Oman in GCC under-23 football final

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is due Sunday to face Oman in the final of the Under-23 GCC Football Championship at the Aspire Stadium here. UAE defeated hosts Qatar, 2-0, Friday. The winners were aided by obdurate defenders and goalkeeper Khalid Saeed who form helped the forwards to register their a fine win. Both goals came in the second half, through Mohammed Ghareeb and Ali Mabkhoot in the 61st and 76th minutes respectively. In the other semifinal, Oman rallied from the deficit of two goals to overcome Saudi Arabia 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller. The UAE team topped Group ''B'' on better goal difference. Their big win (5-1) against Bahrain helped their progress to the final. Oman finished second in this group. The final is likely to be absorbing with both the team''s possessing speedy strikers and fine mid-fielders. The tournament opened here August 12.