JEDDAH — Dunk Spanish Academy teams showed top form as they lifted both the Under-18 and the Under-15 trophies at the JSC–Jotun Young Soccer League (YSL) Football Tournament in front of a full house in Jeddah.
Dunk Spanish Academy continued its unbeaten run in the Under-18 final with a 2-0 victory over International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ).
After a barren first half, Omer Nahdi, Player of the Match, put Dunk Spanish struck one up in the 62nd minute. Abdulrahman completed the scoreline five minutes before time.
The IISJ team, thanks to the tactical planning done by Physical Education Head Rasheed, did well to keep the Dunk team down to two goals as the latter had most of the possession.
The Under-15 final between the two best academy teams rose to the expectations of the spectators. In the thrilling match, Dunk Spanish Academy edged JSC 2-1.
Both the teams fought for control of the game from the start. JSC goalkeeper and its defense were at their best to fend off Dunk Spanish attack. Faizal brace, either side of the break, however undid JSC.
The JSC tried its best, but missed to reach to the rival’s goal. A solo Nabeel effort in the 30th minute of the second half helped JSC reduce the margin. Nufais, JSC keeper, was adjudged the Player of the Match.
The awards were picked up by: Best Goalkeepers — Mashood Ali (IISJ, U-18) and Fouad (Indonesian International School, U-15); Best Defenders — Omer (IISJ, U-18), Mazen Saleem (JSC, U-15), Best Midfielders — Muhammed Mukaram (Dunk Spanish, U-18), Ahmed Muhammed (Eritrea International School, U-15); Best Strikers — Sahal Zaheer (JSC, U-18), Arshaq (JSC, U-15); Top Scorers — Muad Abdo (Dunk Spanish, U-18), Faisal Ali (Dunk Spanish, U-15); Hat tricks — Muad Abdo (Dunk Spanish) and Sahal Zaheer (JSC); Best Players of the Tournament: Faisal Ali (Dunk Spanish) and Hashid Abdulrahman (JSC). Fair Play Award: JSC (U-18) and Al-Wadi International School (U-15).
Young talented boys and girls performed an exciting ‘Desert Show’ dance. Shinto choreographed the performance. The audience also got a chance to see exhibition matches among Under-12 and Under-09 JSC trainees’ teams.
Earlier, the guard of honor was presented to the chief guest, Anand Kumar, consul (Consular Services), Consulate General of India. Among other guests were Ram Narayan Iyer, executive editor of Saudi Gazette; Faisal Karim, marketing manager of Jotun; Abdul Salam of Alpha Cargo Services, Fernando Spanish Academy coach, Naif of Dunk, Musa Salman, Eritrean School team manager; and officials of various sports and cultural organizations in Jeddah.
Jotun was the main sponsor of the YSL tournament. Other partners included: Mobil 1, Tamer, Sedco Holding, Applebee’s, Geepas, Trans Freight Projects and Logistics Co, UT Lines, Global Freight Solutions, EFS Logistics, Faisal S. Al-Naimi, Sadafco, Binzagar, Clear Vision, Splash Fashion, Jeddah National Hospital, Best Rent-a-Car and Trident Hotels. — SG
