Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — In a crucial match between two depleted teams in A Division, ACC B ran over Town Team Strikers by a 4-1 margin and kept its hopes alive for a semifinal berth in the 18th SIFF-Eastea Champions League Football Tournament at the Ministry of Education Stadium here recently.
Though both the teams missed key players, Town Team Strikers could not withstand the combined teamwork and sustaining pressure from ACC B which played without its star forward Emad.
While it was a pleasing team effort from ACC B for whom Shahad, Junaid, Mohammed, Praveen and defender Shihab were outstanding, Town Team Strikers lacked cohesion. However, its experienced Rauf proved a lone warrior as the normal defender even moved upfront in vain in the second half to make it a match. He also stamped his class with a classy freekick which incidentally happened to be their only goal of the match.
Player of the Match Shahad scored a brace, Mohammed increased their lead, while a self goal completed their tally.
Earlier, exhibiting all-round brilliance D Division (Uner-19) champion Sporting United Jeddah A dominated Jeddah Sports Club (JSC) and recorded a thumping 3-0 win to top its pool and book a berth in the semifinals. JSC too qualified for the last four being second in the group.
Sporting United boys looked more aggressive, purposeful and maintained their positions very well to function as a well-knit team. Jaseem, who scored a goal and produced a stellar assistance for another goal, was adjudged the Player of the Match. Imran Abdullah scored the other two goals and Bamaroof did everything right throughout the game but missed an open chance.
Makkah BCC earned a vital 2-1 victory over United Sports Club A in B Division.
Player of the Match Yousuf Kankada and Firoze Khan found the target for the winner, while the loser was lucky with an own goal.
Blue Star Seniors defeated FC Quwaizah in Division C on an Abdul Hakeem goal. Riaz Papatta won the Player of the Match award.
Friday’s matches (from 5 p.m.): Barakkah Restaurant Anakish FC vs. Sporting United Jeddah B (Div. D); Eman Bakery Young Challengers vs. United Sports Club B (Div. C); Nadec Blue Star A vs. Rose Biriyani Rice Jeddah FC (Div. B) and Nada Blasters FC vs. Sharafiya Trading Zabeen FC (Div. A). — SG
