Courtesy: Gulf Daily News


BRTC clinch futsal crown

by Rami Hulayyel

Thursday, August 25, 2011

MAHMOOD Riyadh scored a hat-trick as Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) lifted the first Media Futsal Championship trophy with a resounding 7-2 victory over Layalina Magazine late last night.

Other scorers for the champions were Al Sharqawi brothers Mohammed and Mahmood, besides Mohammed Darwish and Thamer Shammoos.

Layalina's goals came from their skipper Shaikh Khalid bin Salman Al Khalifa from a penalty kick conversion and Aman Mousa in the closing stages.

The title decider, which took place at Khalifa Sports City's hall in Isa Town, was a perfect finale to the first edition of the competition, organised by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and General Organisation for Youth and Sports (Goys).

Layalina, who stunned favourites Al Ayam 8-1 in the semi-finals, headed into last night's final having big hopes on their top players Hamad Al Seba'a, Yousef Saif, Aman Al Nuaimi and goalkeeper Majdi Asa'ad.

But Layalina were without their top scorer Mohammed Janahi, who was red-carded during the team's semi-final clash with Al Ayam.

BRTC, on the other hand, made it to this decider winning their semi-final clash against the Bahrain Public Relations Association (BPRA) 3-1.

The corporation team was relying on several futsal stars like Thamer Shammoos, the team's top scorer with 12 goals, besides national beach soccer goalkeeper Salah Salman.

Other key players were Mohammed Darwish, Mahmood Al Sharqawi, Mohammed Al Sharqawi and Mahmood Riyadh, who fired a brace in BRTC's semi-finals victory over BPRA.

Both teams went all out right from the start, but it was BRTC who proved the stronger side, breaking the deadlock through Riyadh's spectacular effort in the seventh minute.

Ten minutes later, BRTC doubled their advantage following an outstanding finish by Mohammed Al Sharqawi, a member of Bahrain's first division club East Riffa, who slotted the ball past Layalina's goalkeeper Majdi Asa'ad.

Mohammed's elder brother Mahmood then virtually put the scores beyond reach with a third goal just two minutes into the second-half, capitalising on a counter attack.

BRTC then added four more goals - a brace from Riyadh in the 26th and 31st minutes and one each from Darwish in the 27th minute and Shammoos in the 39th minute - to secure the outcome.

An exhibition match between veteran media representatives and present journalists was played yesterday during half-time.

The journalists' team won the game 3-1 with Jaffer Ali (2 goals) and Izzledin Al Kalawi being on target, while Abdulla Bunofal scored the consolation for the veterans.

Yesterday's final was held under the patronage of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Khalid, along with senior sports officials, presented the trophy and the main prize money of BD7,000 to the champions at the awarding ceremony.

Runners-up Layalina received BD5,000 while semi-final losers Bahrain Public Relations Association and Al Ayam collected BD2,000 each.

The remaining eight teams, who failed to progress into the semi-finals, all received BD1,000 each.

Side prizes of BD1,000 each were also given away to the tournament's top players. They included Ebrahim Ahmed Habib of MBC Group, who received the top scorer award, having scored 19 goals.

Soccer fans who attended the final were also treated to a memorial awarding festival. The crowd had a chance to win cash prizes worth a total of BD1,000 at the end of the match.

However, the main award of the night was a brand new Nissa Tiida, donated by Majestic Cars, one of the tournament's sponsors. Prizes were presented through raffle draw on the free tickets given to the fans. The event was also sponsored by Batelco, Ithmaar Bank, Diyar Al Muharraq and website www.b4bh.com.




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