(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Having made his presence felt throughout the tournament, Oman's goalkeeper Faiz al Rusheidi was among the favourite to win the best goalkeeper award of the 23rd Gulf Cup that concluded at the Jaber al Ahmad International Stadium on Friday night.

It was a night to remember for Oman team and its fans as it edged past UAE 5-4 in a penalty shootout and the hero of the win was none other than Rusheidi, who saved not once but twice the spot-kicks of UAE's star player, Omar Abdulrahman 'Amoori'. The Gulf Cup jury later announced that UAE's Khaled Eisa was the tournament's best goalie but Rusheidi had no regrets on missing it.

Raed Ibrahim Saleh (right)

'I am more than happy to clinch the Gulf Cup trophy. The best goalkeeper award is not that important as the winner's Cup. This is the first time I am playing in any Gulf Cup competition and it is a great achievement to win the title on my debut,' said Rusheidi.

Prior to the final, Rusheidi had not conceded any goal in the tournament except for a penalty in the 0-1 defeat to UAE. Oman had defeated Kuwait 1-0, Saudi Arabia 2-0 in group games and then Bahrain 1-0 in the semis.

'Shalhoub' confident ahead of final

Oman striker Said al Ruzaiqi 'Shalhoub' said that he was confident of his team's win. 'Ahead of the final, I had it in my mind that we will win. It is great to have actually achieved it and the new generation of players deserve the title,' said the striker.

Midfielder Raed Ibrahim Saleh, who plays in the Malta Premier League for Valletta, said, 'It's a milestone in my career and I am sure that it will help me grow professionally. We worked hard to win the Cup.'

Defender Ali al Busaidi, who injured himself in the final, said that 'the title success has erased all the pain of his injury.'

An elated Oman Football Association (OFA) chairman Sheikh Salim al Wahaibi said, 'We came to Kuwait as an unfancied team. The lack of expectations and pressure on our players did help us to clinch the title. Faiz's [al Rusheidi] save in the dying minutes of the match was the turning point of the final against UAE.

Maqbool al Balushi, the team manager, said 'The players reaped the fruit of their efforts. They have been improving from day one and exhibited high-level game and fighting spirit that helped us achieve glory.'

MENAFN0701201801410000ID1096319951