MANAMA – Riffa won the Five-a-Side Futsal Championship crown, part of the First Bahrain Women's Games, here Wednesday. The tournament's No. 1 team lifted the trophy with a well-earned 14-2 victory over Arsenal ‘Red' in the final game at Khalifa Sports City Gym, where the curtains came down on the Games, which featured competitions in eight disciplines. The Games were organized by the Supreme Council for Women in cooperation with the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) under the patronage of Princess Sabeeka Bint Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, wife of King Hamad and Supreme Council President. Reem Al-Hashmi and Yasmine hit four goals each for Riffa, while Manar Ebrahim (3 goals), Marwa Mohammed (2) and Shaikha Al-Anood Al-Khalifa (1) made other key contributions. Reema Al-Qassab managed both the goals for Arsenal, which settled for the second spot to claim the silver medal. Featuring several football stars from the Bahraini women's national team, Riffa lived up to many expectations as it enjoyed ball possession for much of the game. Riffa coach Adel Al-Marzooqi, a former Riffa Club and national team midfielder, also played the game, while pinning hopes on his prominent players. Goalkeeper Shaikha Noaf Bint Khalid Al-Khalifa was also outstanding, bringing off several fine saves to deny Arsenal ‘Red' and maintain Riffa's advantage. Arsenal ‘Red', which was relying on the national team star Dina Abdulrahman, was unable to match the strength and experience of its opponents. Rising football talents like Amira Buqrais, Rima Al-Qassab and Lamees Al-Saqqa fought back bravely against a more-experienced Riffa players, who proved the stronger side in the game as they capitalized on their counter-attacks to secure victory. In another encounter, Bahrain's Under-16 team defeated Happy Feet 4-2 to finish third, thanks to goals from Zaynab Al-Qaydoom and Noor Anwar. Thuraya Al-Waari was on target for Happy Feet. Bahrain Olympic Committee member and women's sports committee chairwoman Shaikha Hayat Bint Abdulaziz Al-Khalifa attended the final game. The Director-General of Women Empowerment Programs, Supreme Council for Women, Shaikha Azza Bint Abdulrahman Al-Khalifa, gave away the awards to Riffa and Arsenal ‘Red'. Bahrain and Arab Football Association's Women's Committee Chairwoman Shaikha Hessa Bint Khalid Al-Khalifa handed the third place prize to Bahrain's Under-16 team.
