K.O. Paulson Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The SIFF-Western Union Soccer 2013-14 finale rose to the occasion with three thrilling encounters at the Ministry of Education Stadium here recently. As the dust settled, ABC Cargo Real Kerala FC (Division I), Al-Noor Medical Center YCC (Division II) and Naseem Jeddah United (Under-17) emerged champions. The 17th league championship, which was organized by the Saudi Indian Football Forum (SIFF), was mainly sponsored by Western Union Money Transfer. The co-sponsors were Nokia, Al-Abeer Medical Group, JNH Hospital, Badr Tamam Polyclinic, VLCC and Zimo Trading. A lucky ABC Real Kerala prevailed over Nadec Blue Star 4-3 in the Division I final. It was not a Blue Star Club's day. After its Division II team lost the final to Al-Noor Medical Center YCC 1-3, the main team fought gallantly against the favored ABC Cargo Real Kerala and held the upperhand, leading 3-2 with just five minutes left for the final whistle. But a blunder by its goalkeeper helped Nishad Kolakadan tie the score 3-3. And then came a stunning winner by Jafar Illickal, who also was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match. Earlier, Blue Star settled down soon and it combined very well as a fighting unit. Majeed Ponnakaran put it 1-0 ahead in the 12th minute. After eight minutes, Ali Akbar cut through the middle on a counter-attack and made it 2-0. However, a struggling ABC reduced the margin through Rasheed but Ali Akbar struck again to go for the break with a 3-1 lead. ABC looked a different lot in the second session. It went all out for attack and Rayees brought it close to 2-3 before the final five-minute drama. Blue Star also took the lead in the Division II final through Riyas Babu. But Asghar equalized before half-time for YCC. The star-studded YCC took full control in the second session. After Indian junior international Ummer Farook rocked the stadium with a thundering shot, Kerala State star Asif Ali, who by then had stamped his class in the match, completed the tally. Blue Star goalkeeper Sharaf Ali won the Man-of-the-Match award. It was a sad saga of missed chances for Jeddah Sports Club (JSC) Soccer Academy against Sporting United in the U-17 final. The loser did everything but it failed to score. The JSC boys played better football and dominated the proceedings. After a silly mistake by their goalkeeper which allowed Akhil Kareem score the only goal of the match, JSC attacked and made several openings. Two thundering free kicks by Nabeel Hyder Ali hit the cross bar. Those bullet shots won him the Man-of-the-Match prize. After the finals, guests of the day Noor Sheikh, Indian Consul; Sayed Masood Ahmed, Principal, International Indian School; Abdul Aziz of Rabea Tea, assisted by SIFF President Hifsu Rahman and other officials, distributed the prizes. Special awards: Best goalkeepers — Shuhaib Mohammed of Real Kerala, Div. I; Mujeeb Rahman of Town Team Strikers, Div. II; Omar Mohammed Salem of IISJ, Inter-School and Jamsheer of Soccer Freakz, U-17. Best defenders — Biju of Blue Star; Riyas of Town Team; Mohammed Shaaz of IISJ and Nabeel Hyder of JSC. Best midfielders: Nisar Koya of Blue Star; Hakeem Karuvaran of YCC; Ansari of Indonesian School and Shabin Rasheed of Sporting United. Best forwards: Nishad Kolakadan of Real Kerala; Riyas Babu of Blue Star B; Husni of Indonesian School and Akhil Kareem of Sporting United.
