Battles royal loom in the finals of the 16th SIFF-Western Union Soccer 2012 at the Ministry of Education Stadium here Friday. While Al-Bassami-Friends fight it out with Sharafiya Trading BCC for the First Division title, International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) will lock horns with Dr. Hassan Ghazawi Hospital ACC-B for the Second Division honors. Al-Kasabi Green Shore stunned favorites Naseem Jeddah Sports Club by a solitary goal to clinch the title in kids' tournament last week. Shahood scored the winner against the rival which had dominated the tournament and even the final. Faris of Naseem Jeddah Sports Club was adjudged the Player of the Match. In the hotly-contested semifinals last week, BCC clicked at last as a team when it mattered and knocked out reigning champion Al-Abeer Medical Group 2-0 and IISJ entered the final for the second time in the history of SIFF League when it held off hot favorite Emami Blue Star B 1-0. The three-month-long event is mainly sponsored by Western Union Money Transfer and supported by Al-Abeer Medical Group, Naseem Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah National Hospital and Rose Biriyani Rice. The young lads of IISJ had enough stamina to withstand the onslaught of one of the fittest teams in the tourney. And when Blue Star lacked ideas to break the staunch defense of the schoolboys it became easy for IISJ to stand in its way. Blue Star failed to use the wings and kept trying to pierce the defense through the middle where IISJ skipper Mohammed Sami Abdullah stood like a rock. Sami, who converted the penalty which was earned by another good player Nikhil, was adjudged the Player of the Match. Now the boys have to do their homework very well to stop their rivals in the final who use the wings for the attack very well. In a match which rose to the occasion, BCC looked favorite with its star value against a rival which believes in teamwork. It did not have any current professional players but for a veteran Zaheer in the middle and an intelligent coach Saleem on the bench. But that was not enough against a determined BCC which too has gelled well now as a team with new players. And one of their professionals Hameed proved his prowess in the midfield by creating moves and unleashing dangerous free kicks and corners. He rightly won the Player of the Match. Whatever be the dominance of BCC, it was sheer bad luck for ACC which just missed several scoring chances. The match became thrilling soon after the start when a booming freekick by Hammed was brilliantly tipped over by goalkeeper Sharafuddin. But Sharafuddin, who was pressed into duty on the day, showed lack of match practice later. And both the goals came due to that when he was clearly out of position. After Mohammed Saleem put BCC ahead in the first half, Mohammed Ashiq completed the tally in the second session. __
