JEDDAH: In SIFF Rabea Tea tournament, champion Real Kerala FC and Indonesian School each ensured semifinal berth while International Indian School completed their league round winning all matches without conceding a goal.

In A division match with 6 goals on scoreboard, reigning champion Real Kerala FC defeated a hard fighting Friends Jeddah Junior 4-2. A match highlighted by superb keeping by Friends Jeddah keeper Sainul Abid who saved at least 4 sure goals, one by diving almost cross bar height. Real Kerala took the lead in 10th minute when Sanooj converted a penalty. Their midfielders couldn’t feed ball well to dangerous striker Nishad Kolakkadan in first half. In 20th minute Friend Jeddah striker Nakash’s stunning shot was saved by Real Kerala keeper Shoaib. Jeddah Friends fought well and equalized with a penalty by Nakash.(1-1).

But Real took lead again when Nishad ran from right touch line and crossed to Siraj who headed to penalty box and Sanooj’s placed the ball in by a beautiful header (2-1). Minutes later, Imbichahammed increased the tally with a lovely shot (3-1). Reala Kerala made it 4-1 in first half, when Nishad’s solo running lob connected by Samanath. Friends fought back in second half and their strikers Siraj and Sameer Babu raided Real Kerala goal mount with backing of midfielder Niyas Thachampadam. Real Kerala striker Ramees’s two dangerous attempts saved by Friend’s keeper Sainul, one with unbelievable reflex. Sainul, who was in terrific form under bar was adjusted as man of the match and received trophy from Ashraf Pattathil.

In SIFF Al Abeer Inter School D division match, Indonesian School defeated AlFalah DPS by 1-0 and qualified for the semifinal. Midfielder Ansari scored the lone goal. Match was dominated by Indonesians and their midfielder Ziad did an all-round performance. DPS was just a shadow of its last match and only Qadri and Abdul did some good attempt. Indonesia’s Ziad was selected as best player and received trophy from Fasul Ali Master.

In another D division match, International Indian School outplayed Al Noor School by 3-0. Undefeated and not conceding any goal, they stamped superiority in the group. Match was not one sided as the score card as AlNoor fought their level best but couldn’t cross IISJ defense line mainly Omar and Nuwais. Fawas Ismail, Sahal combined well with midfielders Affan and Haatim and made number of attempts at AlNoor goal area. Fawas Ismail scored when he headed in a cross from Nabeel. Haatim scored the 2nd goal for IISJ and Fawas completed the score card. AlNoor keeper Nufais’s brilliant performance under the bar reduced their defeat. Haatim Nazir was adjusted as man of the match and received trophy from P.T. Shareef.

Rabea Tea is the main sponsor of the tournament. Al Abeer Medical group, Jeddah National Hospital, VLCC, TSS, Sharafiya Trading, Fathima Supermarket, Green Land Hotel, Kathir Rice and AlRayan Polyclinic are co-sponsors.