Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — A last-ditch substitution with ten minutes left for the final whistle by coach P.R. Saleem saved the face of Sharafiya Trading Zabin FC in the fifth week of the 18th SIFF-Eastea Champions League Football Tournament at the Ministry of Education Stadium here recently.
Last year’s runner-up Zabin FC, which did everything right from the kickoff but continued misfiring one after the other conceded a goal against gritty fighters Easy Travels Friends Jeddah against the run of play in the first half.
Backed by an overlapping left back Mohammed Aslam, Zabin’s midfielders controlled the show and dominated from the beginning. But a tactful Friends held back and took their own time to settle down and unleash counter attacks. And it clicked in the midway of the first session when Naushad took a surprise shot from top of the penalty box. A normally dependable goalkeeper Sharafuddeen of Zabin dived to his left nicely but suddenly the ball bounced onto his face and rebounded for Nawas Sharief who made no mistake with that golden chance.
As Friends solidified its defense and looked for counter attacks, a frustrated Zabin lost ideas. They executed their plan well but failed to score. An irate and shouting Zabin coach Saleem brought in Nizamuddin for an off-form Taufeeq and Najeesh for Shabaz. And it worked at last.
Najeesh who received a pass at the right edge of the rival’s penalty box, veered into the danger area through right, hoodwinking one defender after the other and moved confidently toward the goal and placed the ball on a platter to Nizamuddin, who in turn, neatly scooped the ball into the goal.
Zabin then tried to press for a winner but a ten-man Friends who lost a player for two quick yellow cards stood firm to share the spoils.
Mohammed Aslam of Zabin won the Al-Abeer Player of the Match award.
In a B Division match, Makkah BCC FC defeated Rihab FC Yanbu by a solitary goal, scored by the Player of the Match Abdul Hakkeem.
Japan Watches Mahajar FC earned three points in C Division by getting the better of a never-say die Eman Bakery Young Challengers 1-0. The all–important goal was scored by Mohammed Ashif.
Sayed of Mahajar FC was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Earlier, Sporting United boys thrashed Jeddah XI 4-0 in a D Division match. Imran Abdullah and Player of the Match Mohammed Aqian scored a brace each for the winner.
Friday’s matches (from 5 p.m.): Barakkah Anakish FC vs. Soccer Freakz (Div. D); Feltron Falcon FC Thuwal vs. Saam Youth India FC (Div. C); Young Men’s FC Friends Jeddah vs. Shams Containers Blue Star A (Div. B) and Makkah Indian FC vs. Saphire Family Restaurant Blue Star B (Di. A). — SG
