By Aboo Kattuppara
JEDDAH — Al-Rai ACC-B stunned Printechs Real Kerala 1-0 in a Super League match of the Elite Blasters 2019 Football Championship at the Hilal Shyam Stadium here Friday.
Jafar Ali netted the winner in the 34th minute thus pulling off a surprising victory over star-studded Real Kerala, keeping all the Super League teams in a very tight situation for qualification.
Real Kerala did everything fine in both attack and defense, but lacked the finishing skills. They were dominant but spoiled almost half a dozen scoring chances. Mohammed Rafeeq of ACC-B was adjudged the Best Player of the match.
In B-Division, ACC-A defeated Friends Blasters 3-1. Former Kerala Police striker, Bahaudheen had given a timely gift to ACC-A and its supporters as he not only scored once, but also assisted Shihab and Mahroof to score the other two goals. Siraj scored in the 34th minute for the Friends Blasters. Bahaudheen was declared as the Man of the Match.
In the Under-17 category, Soccer Freaks and Talent Teens scored two goals each and shared the points. It seemed like Soccer Freaks were set to pick up three points after 30 minutes of play, but a penalty goal by Shaheel and a field goal by Mohammed Shafi at the end of the second half helped Talent Teens fight back and earn a 2-2 draw. Minhaj and Nihal had scored for Soccer Freaks.
Mohammed Shafi was selected as the best performer of the match.
Shifa Jeddah MD Abdurahman Fayida, Saleem Super and Saleem Mampad presented the trophies for the best players in different competitions.
Saudi national basketball player Khalid Maseeyadi, Shifa Jeddah MD Abdurahman Fayada, singer Nizar Waynad, Thrissur district KMCC President Mujeeb Thrissur, Ismail Kallayi, Saudi Gazette Sports Editor K.O. Paulson, Rahim Printechs, Siraj Gulf Madhyamam, SIFF Treasurer Abdul Karim, Shareef KC, Salam Kaliyakav, Jazeer Muvattupuzha, Shiljaz Thazhekode and Monidheen Pathaikkara graced the occasion.
Nasar Olavattur, Shibili Nizam and Nizam Mambad distributed the lucky draw prizes.
Friday’s matches (Begins at 6 p.m.): Asian Times Friends Jeddah vs. Printechs Real Kerala; Al-Rai ACC-B vs. Elite Blasters (both Super League matches), Mass Computer Bluestar vs. United Sport Club and ACC-A vs. Bluestar Seniors (B Division).
