JEDDAH, 27 March 2004 — Al-Doraq Sports and Asiatic Cultural Center-B (ACC-B) won the SIFF-Sadafco cups in the 1st and 2nd divisions respectively in the finals played at the Ministry of Education Stadium here last night.
Chief guest Indian Ambassador Kamaluddin Ahmed presented the 1st Division winners trophy to Al-Doraq and guest of honor Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Al-Maeena gave the runners-up trophy to Bharat Cultural Center (BCC).
The 2nd Division Cup was won by ACC-B who defeated Eranad 2-1 in the final. Goalkeeper Sudheer of ACC-B won the player-of-the-match award.
The 1st Division final was evenly balanced and the match ended goalless. In the penalty shootout that followed, Al-Doraq won 4-1. They netted all four times, while BCC failed in two attempts out of three. Munzil, Abdul Jabbar, Shahul Hameed and Abdul Jaleel scored for the winners. BCC were let down by Ayyoob, whose strike went above the goalpost, and Abdul Kalam whose weak strike was cleanly collected by Al-Doraq custodian Abdul Salam Mannayil, the player-of-the match. Anwar Sadath was the only one to net for BCC. Sadafco’s Khaled Taher was the chief guest of this match.
In the 2nd Division, it all looked like a cakewalk for ACC-B as they sat pretty with 2-0 at the breather, with the goals scored by striker Mujeeb and winger Sameer. Eranad, whose moves looked weak in the first half, adopted aggressive tactics when the game resumed, but they ended up by narrowing the lead. They failed in their attempt for the equalizer despite some good chances. Badruddin Polyclinic’s Amro Ismail was the chief guest of this match.
A prize distribution ceremony marked the end of the annual tournament, which had its league rounds in the two divisions on Fridays from Dec. 12 to March 5. The semifinals were held on March 12 and 19.
Guests of honor at the ceremony were Indian Consul General Syed Akbaruddin, Malayalam Editor in Chief Farouk Luqman and Air-India’s Western Province Manager S.M. Mazharullah, aside from representatives of main sponsor Sadafco, and co-sponsors Jeddah National Hospital, Badruddin Polyclinic, Al-Ryan Polyclinic, Air-India, Elaf Travel, Jet Airways and Raymond. SIFF (Saudi Indian Football Forum) President T.P. Ahmed and Secretary A. Alavi welcomed the guests.
Prize winners in different categories: 1st Division – fairplay ACC-A, best goalkeeper Mujeeb of Arabian Soccer, best defender Mustafa of BCC, best midfielder Najeeb of Al-Doraq, best forward Shanawaz of Al Doraq, and top scorer shared by Shanawaz of Al-Doraq and Basheer Ahmed of Arabian Soccer (six goals each).
2nd Division – fairplay Asiana Yellow, best goalkeeper Kasim Ali of Blue Star B, best defender Mustafa of Al-Salamah Brothers, best midfielder C.K. Saleem of ACC-B, best forward E.P. Anwar and top scorer Sajid Babu (6 goals).
Saudi referees who conducted matches were Muhammad Salim, Yunus Yaqub and Ishaq Ibrahim.
