JEDDAH: Defending champion TSS Real Kerala FC retained the title overrunning Sharafia Trading Zabin FC by 3-0 in the SIFF Rabea Tea tournament.

The final showed the clash of strategies where star studded Zabin FC failed to match champions. In-form Siraj was surprisingly benched and his team losing sharpness in attacks and starting striker Suhair desperately looking for a pair to combine.

Meanwhile, tactics of tight marking of Suhair and Zabins’s playmakers Jijo and Ashiq Usman by Real Kerala worked well. Zabin lost its usual rhythm and from midway of the first half Real Kerala dominated the game.

In first half, Kerala Police player Marzook shocked Zabin FC by heading in a corner ball above the head of keeper Salam 1-0. For Zabin’s keeper Salam everything went wrong and he was lucky to escape from another sure goal when he advanced for ball with wrong timing.

On other side, Real Kerala keeper Shoaib was in outstanding form saving at least two sure goals one from Ashiq Usman and another from Suhair. Ashiq’s shot was saved by Shoaib brilliantly with a full length dive.

Zabin tried its best in second half but Real Kerala’s Fahd Sulfi, Ashraf and Marzooq didn’t gave them any chance. Mohammed Moaad scored the second goal for Real Kerala completely defeating helpless keeper Salam 2-0.

Real Kerala strategy was fantastic when they played with 9 players, keeping single forward Jamshad in frontline and rest for holding their fort and 2 goal lead. When all of Zabin players attacked the short handedReal Kerala defense, skipper Ashraf fed a loose ball to Jamshad, who with a solo run again defeated the shaky Zabin FC keeper Salam 3-0.

Real Kerala goalie Shoaib was named Man of the Match , and he received his trophy from Consul General B. S. Mubarak.

The Makkah Indian FC and Town Team Strikers B-division final match was classic yielding six goals on the scoreboard 4-2.

Town Team with local players gave a tough fight before losing to Makkah team with number of state players. Sainul Abdin, Mohammed Naufal, Naseer Nalukandy and Saheer Ayamutty scored for Makkah FC and Shahid Ali scored both goals of Town Team. Town Team with their key players Nistar Ali and Rasiq had upper hand in first half and took the lead in the beginning. But Makkah’s experienced midfielders, Mohammed Rasi and Naufal, brought the game back to their favor with brilliant play making.

Mohammed Naufal of Makkah was named Man of the Match.

In veteran’s final, Al Rayan Polyclinc and Al Shareef Cargo battlted to a goalless draw and shared the title.

In another exhibition match Consul General XI defeated Jeddah Media Forum XI by 1-0. Consul General Mubarak was chief guest of the function.

SIFF tournament lasted for more than five months. Individual trophies will be distributed in SIFF grand closing ceremony next month.

Rabea Tea is the main sponsor of the tournament, with Al Abeer Medical Group, Jeddah National Hospital, VLCC, TSS, Sharafiya Trading, Fathima Supermarket, Greenland Hotel , Kathir Rice, and AlRayan Polyclinic as co-sponsors.