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Guests are all set to take the ceremonial kickoff of the third Nadec Blue Star Soccer Fest 2016 in Jeddah.
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JEDDAH — The third Nadec Blue Star Soccer Fest 2016 got off to a rousing start at Hilal Sham Stadium near Khaled Bin Waleed Street with Sporting United, Real Kerala FC and Zabeen FC recording victories here.
Jeddah National Hospital (JNH) Chairman V. P. Mohammed Ali inaugurated the tournament, attended by Al-Ryan Polyclinic MD V.P. Shuaib, Al-Amal Watches MD Basheer Kattupara, Babay Neelambra, Badr Tamam Polyclinic Marketing Manager Ashraf Irumpuzhi and SIFF official Majeed Naha.
Blue Star Club Vice President Yahya welcomed the guests, teams and soccer fans. A minute’s silence was observed in honor of late Indian player C. Jabir.
The annual tournament is organized by Blue Star, one of the leading football clubs in Jeddah, for the teams affiliated to the Saudi Indian Football Forum (SIFF). This year the championship is held in two divisions as Under-17 and Seniors.
In the opening match, Sporting United blanked Jeddah XI Juniors 3-0 in the U-17 division. Rashid of United scored two goals and won the Player-of-the-Match award. The other goal-scorer was Jasim Shinas.
SIFF champion Real Kerala (GT Brand Factory) sounded a warning to rivals by running over Soccer Freaks Seniors 4-0 as Nishad Kolakkaden recorded a hat trick. Nishad was adjudged the Player of the Match. Shinas Najeeb completed the tally for the winner.
After two one-sided matches the third and final match of the day provided lot of thrills. Zabeen FC (Sharafiya Trading) got the better of a fighting host’s team, Blue Star A, on a fine header by Taufeeq. Blue Star goalkeeper Shibili Kodassery, who won the hearts of the crowd with fine saves, was named as the Player of the Match.
Friday’s matches: Talent Teens vs. Soccer Freaks (8:00 p.m.); Blasters FC (Al-Amal Watches) vs. Zabeen FC (Sharafiya Trading) and Blue Star B (Al-Ryan) vs. Real Kerala FC (GT Brand Factory). — SG
