JEDDAH: Nadec Blue Star B team overcame a fighting Alnoor Medical Center Jeddah Friends Junior by 1-0 in SIFF Rabea Champions League A division match.

The match met crowd expectations as both teams displayed pace and skill throughout. Blue Star’s Ashiq missed an open chance in the beginning while Jeddah Friends keeper Sainu was out of position. Then Friends took over the game and their trio of Saneesh, Sameer Babu, Sameerulla created panic in Blue Star B goalmouth. Overlapping wing back Abdul Sameer supported them from behind. Riyas Bava anchored most of moves of Blue Star B and their Moideen Kutty’s dangerous kick was saved by keeper Sainul who showed brilliant keeping under the bar. Jeddah Friends combined well and has edge over opponent in second half. Sameer Babu’s shot from right flank was saved by Blue Star keeper Shafi. Blue Star B scored against the tempo of the game when Moideen Kutty’s free kick landed left top side of net without giving chance to keeper Sainul 1-0. Jeddah Friends’ Shihab couldn’t utilize the chance to equalize in dying minutes of the game. Jabir Puthan Valappil was selected player of the match and received trophy from Abdul Majeed Naha.

In a C division match, Al Rayan Polyclinic Blue Star Seniors struggled a 1-0 win over fighting Young Challengers Club. Blue Star Seniors got first chance when their Jassir’s shot went out rubbing YCC bar. YCC keeper Asker was tested by Nawas, Shafeeq and Jaseer frequently. YCC missed its best chance when Faisal’s shot from just out the penalty box hit the bar. After goalless first half, YCC played better but couldn’t convert a number of goal chances. In other end, Shafeeq defeated keeper Asker but his shot went outside left post. Blue Star Seniors’ dangerous Shafeeq ran from left touch line and his powerful long ranger sailed past YCC keeper Askar 1-0. Nishad Mon and Faisal tried their level best to equalize but Blue Star’s solid defense was hard to crack. YCC effectively conceded the game when its striker Faisal missed another chance in last minute. Mohammed Shafeeq Karuvath of Blue Star Seniors was declared as man of the match and received trophy from Chemban Abbas.

In SIFF Al Abeer Inter School match, Bangladesh International School outplayed Al Falah DPS School by 3-1. Bangladesh shocked opponents by scoring 2 goals in startling 5 minutes. DPS tried to come back in second half but their forward failed to score. Tanveer Ahmed, Abdurahman and Tanveer Mehtab scored for Bangladesh while an own goal by Bangladesh captain Saud gave some relief to DPS. Abdurahman of Bangladesh School was named best player and received trophy from Aftab of Vitamine Pokka.

Rabea Tea is the main sponsor of the tournament, while Al Abeer Medical group, Jeddah National Hospital, VLCC, TSS, Sharafiya Trading, Fathima Supermarket, Gamon group, Kathir Rice, Vitamine Pokka and Al Rayan Polyclinic are co-sponsors.