JEDDAH, 16 November — Al Abeer-ACC (A) lift the SESA 2001 football title by defeating ACC (C) for 2-1 at SESA ground last Friday. It marked the end of 13-week action Football Tournament organized by Saudi-Expatriate’s Soccer Association.
The final match played between the two teams of a same club, gave dull and interesting moments. ACC (A), who experienced some setbacks in the beginning of this tournament bettered gradually as the tournament progressed. They drew in their first two league matches but in the semifinal they defeated defending champions Arabian Soccer. But they failed to maintained their unbeaten record in this tournament at the hand of Al Abeer ACC-A.
Ismail Janiya, an outstanding performer of ACC-A, remained the top scorer in this tournament with 8 goals in his account.
He gave the first blow to opponents by netting a ball inside the box in 9th minute of the first half.
ACC-C players looked tired and didn’t show competitiveness as in previous matches. For ACC-C, their defenders Haneefa, Rasheed, and Gafoor were quite busy in stopping the attacks of Ismail Muhammad, Abdullathf and Hussain Muhammad.
Only in few occasions ACC-A forwards found gap in ACC-C defense and they utitlized well striking twice. Close to the first half Abdullatif of ACC-A increased his team lead by making another field goal. (2-0). At the end of first half the ACC-A was leading 2-0.
The second session of the match began with some aggressive movements from ACC-C but all attempts turned futile as their shots missed the target or defenders of ACC-A found easy to stop a tired side. ACC-C found their lone goal before the close thru Abdullah Noor diverted a cross form Anward Sadath. (2-1). To the close of the match there was some do-or-die attempts from losers followed by some rough movements.
Earlier cheif guests Tarek Mishkas (Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Malayalam News), Ahmed M. Badani (Director, Jeddah Narcotic Cell) and Abdul Samad (Manager, Abeer Poly Clinic) were introduced to players. SESA official C.V. Aboobacker Koya, Hamid Malayil, Jamal Areacode and Sainudheen followed the guests.
Trophies, cash award and certificate for the winners were distributed by Tarek Mishkas, and for the runners by Ahmed Badani (Director, Jeddah Narcotic Cell). Congratulation ceremoney chaired by C.V. Aboobacker Koya (President, SESA), Abdul Hamid Malayil (Convener, SESA) made welcome address. Chief Guest Tarek Mishkas delivered inaugural address. Followed felicitation speaches by Ahmed Badani, Abdulsamad, Sainudheen, Ameer Ali, Mohd. Ali.
Following are the individual prizes for better performance in the tournament. First hat-rick, topscorer and best player of final (Ismail Janiya, ACC-A) Best player of the tournament: Khalid Ramadan (ACC-A) Best goalkeeper: Shabeer Ali (ACC-C) Fairplay award (Asiatic Sports & Arts).
This tournament was organized by SESA participating the players and teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanaka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan. This is the first in its kind by an expatriates’ association in the Kingdom. The tournament is sponsored by Al-Abeer Poly Clinic and Jeddah National Hospital.
