JEDDAH – Jeddah Sports Club (JSC) bagged a double when the curtain rang down on the second Friendship Cup Junior Football Tournament at the Dunk ground here recently. Organized by JSC Soccer Academy, the month-long tournament saw host teams emerging champions in the Under-14 and Under-17 sections, beating Sporting United in two thrilling finals. JSC Under-14 boys claimed the honors beating the rival by a solitary goal scored by Nabeel in the 20th minute. Whereas Sahal Zaheer's brilliant double ensured JSC the Under-17 trophy and a coveted double in a fulltime thriller which ended on a sour note when the Sporting officials and their fans played spoilsport during the first half of extra time, with JSC leading 2-1. After an entertaining regulation time, in which a ten-man Sporting rallied to level through Nihal just before the final whistle, Sahal struck again to put JSC ahead in the extratime. But after the kickoff and when the teams were engaged in decent duel the spectators and officials from Sporting United entered the ground and contested the goal. The Saudi referee stood by his decision and Sporting declined to continue playing. Shuaib of JSC was declared player of the final in the Under-14 section and Sahal Saheer (JSC) won the award in the Under-17 category. The Under-17 boys from the two best expatriate academy teams put on an entertaining show for the holiday crowd. While Sahal and captain Basil led the JSC attack, Sporting livewire Akhil Kareem created panic in JSC defense. Muiz Anver (JSC) and Salman (Sporting) stood out in defense. After Sahal scored in the second half, referee had to caution players as the game turned a bit rough. And it led for a red card to Afan of Sporting. However, with seconds left a brilliant solo by Akhil paved the way for Nihal to nod the ball home and share honors in regulation time. Performance awards: Under-14: Best goalkeeper — Nufais (JSC); Best Defender — Haneen (Mahd Al-Uloom School); Best Midfielder — Mehzin (JSC); Best Attacker — BaMaaroof (Sporting United); Top Scorer — BaMaaroof (Sporting), Player of the Tournament — Sameer (Sporting). Under-17: Best Goalkeeper — Afnan (JSC); Best Defender — Salman (Soccer Freakz); Best Attacker — Akhil Kareem (Sporting); Top Scorer and Player of the Tournament — Sahal Saheer (JSC). Noufal, headmaster, IISJ; Abdullah, principal, Mahd Al-Uloom International School; Hifzurahman, president, SIFF; Rasheed, physical education tacher, IISJ and Abdul Rafeeq Kannur, founding chairman of JSC, graced the final and presented the trophies and awards. Noufal, Zameer, convenor Sadiq Edakkad and Anver Sadath controlled the proceedings and TP Basheer, chairman, JSC, proposed vote of thanks. — SG
