SME – Written by: Muhammad Al-Joker
Al-Wahda decided its traditional match with its host Al-Ain at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in its favor after defeating it with two clean goals in the 11th round of the professional league. Al-Wahda advanced to fourth place with 20 points, while Al-Ain fell to fifth place with 19 points. After the match, the distinguished star Ismail Matar made a statement. He decided that this would be the last stop in his football career, amid great sadness from his colleagues, appreciating the great effort made by this star, whom I have followed since his childhood.
He was an extraordinary star on and off the field, and the international player, Ismail Matar, worked hard throughout his career to excel, and he achieved what he wanted early, as he was the first player in the history of Emirati football to win the title of best player in the 2003 Youth World Cup, and he was the one who scored the goal. The historic goal against Oman for the victory we achieved in the 18th Gulf Cup, when we won the title for the first time. “Reputation” grew up in a family that treats football as a way of life, and by virtue of family football affiliation, he played for Al-Wahda Club, and participated in the 1999 Federation Cup tournament.
He succeeded in announcing himself when he scored his first goal in Baniyas, while he scored his first goal in the league competition for the Gulf team in 2002. I remember when he won the title of best emerging Gulf player and was honored by Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during the Gulf Cup competitions that took place in Doha 2004. This award was presented by the Lebanese magazine “Al-Hadath Sports” and supervised by colleague Saeed Ghebreyes. The magazine was a pioneer in honoring Arab sports stars, and colleague Ghebreyes played a clear role in our knowledge of Arab stars. After the exit of our team and the departure of our delegation from the first rounds, I was honored to receive the cup on his behalf. The second day of my arrival, I went to the club headquarters and the dear deceased Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan came, may God rest his soul.
He handed the player the award, and that day, “Bou Zayed,” may God have mercy on him, insisted that I take a souvenir photo with them on an occasion that this star will never forget, and throughout the years of his career, he was a source of happiness for the football fans in general and Al-Wahdawi in particular, because he worked very hard in the international team matches. . And the God of the intent behind.
