Wins over a UAE select XI and Inter Milan saw the young Blues make the final of the prestigious youth competition, where they faced host club Al-Ain on Monday afternoon.
A goal down at half-time, City levelled through Nils Zander before the home side went into the lead once again. Freddie Veseli’s goal saw City draw level once more, but they had to see out the match with just 10 men after substitute Jeremy Helan was sent off just minutes after coming on.
The game ended at 2-2, with penalties coming straight after the end of 90 minutes. City held their nerve to take the shoot-out 5-3, with Andy Mitchell, Harry Bunn, John Guidetti, Ahmed Benali and Freddie Veseli finding the target.
Team: Karius, T. Skogsrud (Tse), Zander, Veseli, Mitchell; Paris (Helan), Benali, Kapsalopodas, Roman (Robinson); Guidetti, Bunn.
Unused subs: E. Johansen, Hippias.
