JEDDAH, 8 November — Holders Asian Soccer retained the first division trophy and Malabar Club emerged second division champions when the three-month long SIFF-Badruddin soccer tournament ended at the Ministry of Education Stadium here last Friday.
Asian Soccer, after sharing four goals with Westar-ACC at the end of the regulation time, pipped the famed rivals through penalty shootout, 6-5. In the Second Division final, Al-Salama Malabar held on to a penalty goal converted by Usman Khalid to outwit another hot-favorites Al-Rai Brothers.
The eighth annual league championship, organized by Saudi Indian Football Forum, was mainly sponsored by Badruddin Medical Group. The co-sponsors are Air-India, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Al-Rayan Polyclinics, Al-Abeer Polyclinics and Rafa Polyclinic and LIC of India.
Amr Ismail, manager, marketing and business development, Badruddin Medical Group, representing indisposed Khaled Badruddinm, GM of Badruddin Medical Group, and other invited guests gave way the trophies and prizes to the winners.
Earlier, players were introduced to Syed Akbaruddin, Consul General of India, and V. Subramaniam, Joint Secretary, Civil Aviation Ministry of India and Air-India board director.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were S.M. Mazharullah, Air-India manager (Western Province), Sadat Ali Khan, Air-India sales manager, V.P. Mohammed Ali of Al-Ryan Polyclinic, Abdul Samad of Al-Abeer Polyclinic, Manjeet Grewal, general manager of Singapore Airlines (Middle-East), Mansoor of LIC, Brig. Iqbal Siddiqui, director of International Indian School Jeddah, Dr Yousuf Khan Jawed, chairman of the managing committee of IISJ, Mohammed Rafiuddin Fazalbhoy, former chairman of IISJ managing committee, Sherief Kunju, Ali Sumesh and Dr. Mohsin, IISJ managing committee members. SIFF General Secretary K.O. Paulson welcomed the gathering and extended thanks to the sponsors and all those who contributed to the success of this eighth championship.
In the Second Division final, the lone goal was scored by Usman Khalid through a penalty. Mohammed Riaz was adjudged as the Player of the Match.
The First Division final between two classy outfits rose to the expectations. Westar-ACC took the lead through K.T. Ashraf.
But minutes later, a well-struck freekick by Najeeb helped Asian Soccer restore parity.
In the second half, Mujeeb Rahman put Asian Soccer ahead (2-1). But toward the end Anwar conceded a penalty tackling Sherief. Riazuddin made no mistake with the kick.
In the penalty shootout, Najeeb, Ahmed Nani, Harris and Jabbar converted in that order. Then after, Azeez hit the post, goalkeeper Kabeerullah and Sharafuddin converted for Asian Soccer.
For Westar-ACC, Ashraf was denied by goalkeeper Kabeerullah. Riazuddin, Saheer, Sameer, Ziauddin and Sherief Calicut made no mistake. But their experienced Ajith hit the crossbar to hand the trophy to Asian Soccer.
Mujeeb Rahman of Asian Soccer was picked as the Player of the Match.
Special awards: First Division: Best player - Azeez Cherukara (Asian Soccer), best goalkeeper - Kabeerullah (Asian Soccer), best defender - Hamzath (Westar-ACC), top scorer - Sameer (Westar-ACC).
Second Division: Best player - Anwar (Eastern Eranad), best goalkeeper - Mohammed Raiz (Malabar), best defender - Sadiq (Al-Rai), top scorer - Sadath (Asiana), hat trick - Sadath.
The umpires who officiated the matches were, Mohammed Abdullah Salim, Fahad Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, Abdul Rahman Hamza Al-Hosawi, Naser and Shukoor.
