Courtesy: Gulf Daily News


BRTC book slot in futsal final

by Rami Hulayyel

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

BAHRAIN Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) stormed into the final of the first Media Futsal Championship, being organised by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and General Organisation for Youth and Sports. The corporation's team maintained their winning streak in the tournament with a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Bahrain Public Relations Association (BPRA) in the semi-final clash held last night.

In a neck-and-neck 30-minute clash, held at Khalifa Sports City's Gym in Isa Town, BPRA took the initiative and opened the scoring in the second minute through skipper Mohammed Sultan.

The following proceedings saw BRTC pile the pressure on BPRA players who were busy defending the area.

BPRA maintained their goal neat till half-time, thanks to superb save by their goalkeeper Ebrahim Sami Rashid.

However, BPRA could only hold four minutes after the break as they conceded two goals in the same minute.

BRTC found the equaliser in the 20th minute with Thamer Shammoos finding the back of the net with a spectacular finish, his 12th goal in the tournament.

Mahmood Riyadh then put BRTC ahead for the first time in the same minute after a defensive lapse.

Excitement mounted in the second-half as BPRA pressed forward seeking the equaliser while relying on efforts led by Sultan, Ali Al Awadi and Ebrahim Shuwaiter.

However, it was BRTC who found the target with Riyadh firing his second goal of the evening in the 26th minute and putting the scores beyond reach.

BPRA made it to the semi-finals after winning Group 'A' with six points from two successive victories.

Victorious

They kick-started their title quest defeating Al Bilad 5-1, then sealed their berth with another crucial 2-1 win over Al Watan in a nail-biting clash.

Their opponents, the BRTC team, are also one of the tournament's highly-favoured teams.

The BRTC team also dominated both matches in Group 'B', defeating the Bahrain Journalists Society 18-0 in the first game, which was followed by a tough 7-5 victory against bitter rivals MBC Group.

BRTC will play in the final against the winner of the semi-final encounter between Al Ayam and Layalina Magazine, whose match was played late yesterday. The result of this match will be published in tomorrow's edition.

Leading the scoring chart is Ebrahim Ahmed Habib of MBC Group with 19 goals. He is being followed by Shammoos of BRTC (11 goals), Hussain Kazerooni (7) of MBC Group besides Falah Abbas and Mohammed Darwish (6 each).

The final is due to be held tomorrow at the same venue, to be followed by the awarding ceremony.

It will be held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

This event is being sponsored by Batelco, Ithmaar Bank, Majestic Cars and website b4bh.com.

A BD27,000 total purse, including BD7,000 for the champions, is up for grabs in this first edition of the tournament, the first-ever futsal event staged at Khalifa Sports City.

Soccer fans attending the matches also have the chance to win BD250 cash prizes during every match of the tournament.

The main award of the event is a brand new car, donated by Majestic Cars. Prizes are being presented at half-time of every match through raffle draw on the free tickets given to the fans.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com