RIYADH, 16 August — A golden goal netted by John in extra time enabled United Goan Sports to score a 3-2 win over Star and become champions of the Nehru Samskarika Vedi Football Tournament as well as winners of the Safa Makkah Polyclinic Rolling Trophy here last week.
Saleh Al-Hammadi, editor-in-chief of Arriyadiah, the chief guest, presented the Safa Makkah Rolling Trophy to the winning team. The soccer tournament was played on the football ground inside the Al Jouf Farm near the Wadi Hanifa area.
Nasser Aseeri, director of Safa Makkah Polyclinic, and Saleh Al-Garni, manager, were among those present. It was the first soccer tournament of its kind in which two Indian football teams played against each other following a two-month practice.
Mamdouh Al-Shammary, a Saudi, refereed the match that brought to the fore the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. A large number of Indian expatriates watched the finals that saw the match end in a 2-2 draw at the normal time.
It was only in extra time that the Goans romped home with a winner amid the cheers and applause of their fans.
Prize winners for their outstanding performance were: Best player-Basheer Tiruvambadi (Star Sports Club); Best defender-Jabbar Kuniyil (CRB Health Club); Best goalkeeper-Shoukath (Kerala Elevans Team); Top scorer-Basheer Tiruvambadi (Star Sports Club). The Best Performance Awards were picked up by : Mujeeb Vazhakkadd (CRB Health Club); Rasheed Chugathara (NSV Sports); Jaleel Areacode (Badruddin Polyclinic Team).
