Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — A low profile ACC B pulled the rug from under high-flying Friends Jeddah by toppling them 3-1 via a hat trick by Shahid and set up a final clash with Sharafiya Trading Zabeen FC which clinically got the better of Blue Star B by an identical 3-1 score in the A Division semifinals of the 18th SIFF-Eastea Champions League Football Tournament at the Ministry of Education Stadium here.
Earlier, Soccer Freakz Juniors subdued Jeddah Sports Club (JSC) in a penalty shootout to meet Sporting United A, which made short work of its B team 3-0.
Soccer Freakz and JSC drew 2-2 at the end of the regulation time and in the tense shootout Freakz boys converted all five shots neatly to clinch the decider 5-4 as JSC’s last striker hit straight to Player of the Match and goalkeeper Mohammed Afiz.
Sameer Roshan hit a brace and Haim Mohammed Taha scored the other goal for United A. Fadi Ashraf of A team was adjudged as the Player of the Match.
Though keeping a low profile of late, ACC teams have an envious record of achievements in SIFF. This is the third time that ACC teams appearing in the A and B Divisions finals. And it clinched a double sweeping both the divisions in 1999.
ACC B, playing in A Division this time, just had the tag of an also-ran among more glamorous teams. However, the arrival of two useful “imports”, defender Mohammed Jasim and striker Shahid, and a sudden change in tactics caught the rival Jeddah Friends by surprise. Friends, a well-balanced solid team, normally settle down slowly and go full gear to underline its class.
But in the semis, Jasim took the center back position and dependable Shihab moved to right inside and the whole team pushed forward for an attacking game. As Shahid, Niaz and Jaffer combined well in offense it suddenly surprised Friends and they never recovered or settled down in the game.
The ploy clicked for ACC and it took the lead in the 20th minute. Jasim took a freekick from just outside the box and Friends goalkeeper Fawaz blocked the shot but an alert Shahid pounced on the rebound to put the team one up.
Normally dependable Anas Rahman, Manaf and Bujair struggled to find their rhythm and Friends were at the receiving end again.
As the tempo of the game increased and ACC kept on attacking, Jaffer released the ball for an onrushing Shahid who dodged a defender at right and blasted home brilliantly to make it 2-0.
Friends lost a hardworking Sudheesh with injury and soon after earned a penalty which was converted cleanly by a cool Anas Rahman to go for the break at 2-1.
Unfortunately the second session did not rise to the expected level and Friends could not utilize the exit of Jasim with a sprained ankle. And to make matters worse, Shahid completed his hat trick heading in a beautiful cross from Niaz.
Shahid was selected as the Player of the Match.
Zabeen FC, as usual, played a cool and organized game. The plus for the team is their players maintaining their positions, making their life easy and creating trouble for rivals. On this day, its Siraj played like a man possessed.
Zabeen struck in the second minute off a freekick by Muneer which was headed in by Siraj. A never-say-die Blue Star fought well as its Nissar and Zuhair controlled the midfield and fed their forwards nicely.
However, Zabeen maintained an edge always and its overlapping left back Aslam who joins the attack brilliantly caught the attention.
Zabeen increased the lead in the second half. Aslam’s corner kick which was floating away from goalmouth was met by a lucky Taufeeq, whose header beat the goalkeeper and landed in the left corner of the goal. Soon it became 3-0 as a powerful shot by Afsal beat keeper Subair.
The game turned a bit rough and Blue Star lost Siraj and Mustafa for second yellow cards. Despite playing with nine men Subair scored a consolation goal for Blue Star.
Siraj of Zabeen was selected as the Player of the Match.
Friday’s matches (From 5:00 p.m.): SIFF President XI vs. SIFF Secretary XI (Veterans); Media XI vs. SIFF Treasurer XI (Veterans); Feltron Falcon FC Thuwal vs. SAAM Youth India FC (Div. C final), Veterans final and Qaeem Al-Barakha ACC FC A vs. Al-Hazmi Newcastle United (Div. B final).
