Western Union soccer 2012 got off to a colorful start at the floodlit Ministry of Education Stadium here Friday. Reigning champion Asiatic Cultural Center A (ACC-A) dazzled on the festive occasion with a matured display while disposing of a fighting Nadec Blue Star Sports A, 3-1, in the opening first division match. The soccer festival of Indian expatriates, which is being organized by Saudi Indian Football Forum (SIFF), was declared open by Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Consul General of India. The colorful opening ceremony stole the show. The teams marched ahead to the rhythmic tune of International Indian School Jeddah boys band and the dance troupes of “Oppana, Duffumuttu and Kolkali” and a cultural mix of tableau made it a perfect icing on the cake. Representatives from the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) –– Samir Bin Omar (Chairman, football) and Ateef Ahmed (supervisor, football ) –– NRI award winner Fazalbhoy, former India soccer team captain Mohammed Akbar, IISJ Principal Sayed Massod Ahmed, JNH Chairman V.P. Mohammed Ali and former SIFF presidents K.P. Abdul Salam and T.P. Ahmed graced the opening ceremony. Meanwhile, experience prevailed over exuberance when ACC-A defeated an emerging Blue Star A. Both the teams rose to the occasion and it was a fast and attacking game from the kickoff. But suddenly the balance tilted towards ACC when it struck twice in four minutes. Player of the match Siraj headed in the opener off a perfect free kick by Zaheer. After four minutes, Shihabuddin beat the wall and goalkeeper by blasting in another free kick to make it 2-0 in the first session. Midway through the second half Siraj took possession off a counter attack and rounded off the goalkeeper to seal the match. However, the never-say-die players of Blue Star fought spiritedly and scored a consolation goal through Nizar. Friday's matches: BRC vs IISJ, Combined Brothers vs Jeddah Sports Club and Friends vs Real Kerala. — SG __
