DAMMAM, 17 May — The superb performance of Blue Moon cracked the nerves of Shining Star in the final match of the Eastern Province football tournament at Dammam Saptco Football ground last Friday.
Blue Moon played tactically a better game and brought things under control to record a 3-1 victory over Shining Star. Their collective effort could easily defeat a team that had the look of a bastion. They won their Eastern Province football title in a breeze that came as a big let down to the Shining Star supporters. Shining Star was the only team in the tournament winning all the matches they played. The brilliance of Blue Moon striker V. Siraj, the man-of-the-match, laid low Shining Star’s dreams and aspirations when he scored the first goal of the final match. K.M. Naser netted the second goal for the team and with that he won the ‘top scorer of the tournament’ prize. Captain K.V. Abid’s third goal improved the confidence of the team. B.V. Hashim of Shining Star, who won the ‘best player of the tournament’title, scored the consolation goal for his team.
When the final whistle blew, overwhelmed supporters of Blue Moon lifted in air both the team captain K.V. Abid and manager O. Samad. Blue Moon coach K.V. Ahmed Koya was delighted with the way his players kept their nerve against a determined opponent. “I’m proud of the boys as they dug deep again,” he added. Blue Moon’s assistant coach C.Razak and coordinator K.V.Basheer congratulated the team and added that “our boys have worked hard to perform well in all competitions and we think we have achieved those objectives”.
Before the final match kick-off, Al-Rabie Saudi Food Co. sales manager Joseph Viego was introduced to the players and inaugurated the final match. Bassam Tawfik Al-Tamimi sponsored Rolling Trophy for the winners were presented by Muslim Service Society (MSS) president P.M.Mohammed Koya who was the chief guest of the day. Nafitha Travels-sponsored runners-up trophy for the Shining Star team was also presented by the chief guest. Saudi Tours & Travels Bureau-sponsored trophy for the children’s football winners was presented by ABT Binex General Manager Mohammed Ali to Junior Blue Moon team. Malayalam News reporter P.A.M. Haris, Gulf Madhyamam reporter Basheer, T.Mohammed, Majeed and P.N.M.Musthafa (Riyadh) were some of the dignitaries present at the function. Best player of the tournament, top scorer and man-of-the-match prizes were sponsored by A.M.Mamukoya of Bassam’s Green Garden. Special prizes were also sponsored by Sigma Paints, K.V.Assu, K.M.Sajid, K.V.Fazalu and K.Azad.
The match was well supervised by Shameem Backer (KFA referee), Hamza and A.P.Zakariya. The tournament committee consists of S.V.Abdurahman (CRP), K.M.Ummer Koya, K.M.Jaleel, Faizal Cheruveedu, Aboo Binzagr, A.P.Zakariya, E.V.Kareem, M.M.Hussu and O.Kunhammed thanked the sponsors and the participating teams and officials for the successful completion of the tournament.
