Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has shared his “heartfelt congratulations” after a youth football team and their assistant coach were rescued from a cave in Thailand. The 12 boys and their 25-year-old coach were trapped for 18 days after venturing into Tham Luang cave after football practice. Heavy monsoon rains blocked the entrance, forcing them to retreat to a remote ledge deep inside. A mission to extract them was launched on Sunday and the last of the boys and their coach were led out on Tuesday by a team of elite divers. <strong>____________</strong> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/asia/scenes-of-jubilation-after-final-boys-rescued-from-thai-cave-1.749057">Scenes of jubilation after final boys rescued from Thai cave</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-how-an-international-coalition-pulled-off-mission-impossible-1.749031">Thai cave rescue: how an international coalition pulled off 'mission impossible'</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/thai-cave-rescue-everything-we-know-so-far-1.747347">Thai cave rescue: everything we know so far</a></strong> <strong>____________</strong> “I am glad to hear that all 12 boys and their coach have been rescued from the cave in Thailand,” wrote Sheikh Mohammed on a post on Twitter. “It’s a humanitarian story that led to an outpouring of sympathy. My heartfelt congratulations to them, their families, the brave rescue team and to the King of Thailand and all Thais.” <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-all-players-and-coach-rescued-on-third-day-as-it-happened-1.748684">Other world leaders</a>, including British Prime Minister Theresa May, have joined Sheikh Mohammed in congratulating the successful rescue mission. Manchester United also invited the boys to Old Trafford next season.