Sports

Real Kerala keeps hopes alive

Soccer Freakz boys in semis

January 17, 2018



By K.O. Paulson

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — In a fortune-fluctuating full-time thriller, lady luck smiled at last at Real Kerala FC which edged Blasters FC 2-1 to keep its hopes alive for a semifinal berth in the 18th SIFF-Eastea Champions League Football Tournament at the Ministry of Education Stadium here recently.

Earlier Anand Kumar, Indian Consul (Consular) and V.P. Mohammed Ali, Jeddah National Hospital MD, met with the players.

The much-expected must-win game in A Division lived up to its expectations with both the teams dishing out a clean and classy game. While last year’s champion Real Kerala stayed alive in the tourney, with second defeat in as many matches Blasters hopes ended.

With plenty of imports in both the teams the match had a professional touch in this amateur tournament. Real Kerala went one up as early as in the third minute. Nishad Kolakkaden who had excelled last year but looked off-form in last match, was in his elements. His quick fakes and hurdling over the tackle clicked and he relayed the ball to Rameez who instantly placed it for a running Shanavaz who finished by chipping over an onrushing Blasters’ keeper Mohammed Razi — who otherwise excelled under the bar throughout.

Blasters hit back in just two minutes as an opportunistic midfielder Shafeer did the trick. He took a freekick soon after the foul was called in the middle. He pushed the ball to an unmarked Mufasid on the right. He rushed into box and crossed for a waiting Jigeesh to equalize.

In a tense second session Shafeer controlled the midfield superbly as he got inimitable support from Mufasid, Jigesh and Chellai Pandian. They worked as a well-oiled machine.

At the other end, Jijo and Rameez manned the midfield as captain Ashraf stood as a rock in defense. Fahad Sulfi too combined well with midfielders and Real looked threatening.

But a quick move involving the speedy Blasters’ dynamos Shafeer, Mufasid and Jigesh struck again. Mufasid ran again through right and crossed the ball to Jigesh whose fist-time volley from the box was a real beauty and the best goal of the tournament so far.

Fighting for their life Real went all out and a flashy Nishad danced his way from right and Rameez applied the finishing touches to the equalizer.

Disaster struck Blasters soon. As the game was ticking toward the end its left back needlessly committed a fatal blunder of playing the man than the ball and the referee pointed to the dreaded spot. Sirajuddeen made no mistake with the penalty to keep Real Kerala alive.

Rameez of Real Kerala was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Newcastle United blanked Yas Club 2-0 in B Division, while Mahajar FC and Soccer Freaks shared two goals and points in Division C.

In D Division, Soccer Freakz defeated Talent Teens by a solitary goal and qualified for the semifinals.

Friday’s matches (from 5 p.m.): Sporting United Jeddah A vs. Jeddah Sports Club (Div. D); Creative Comp. Blue Star Seniors vs. FC Queiza (Div. C); Makkah BCC FC vs. United Sports Club A (Div. B) and Bahi Burger Town Team Strikers vs. TSS Advertising ACC FC B (Div. A). — SG


January 17, 2018
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