Courtesy: Gulf Daily News


Al Shabab move into last eight

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

AL SHABAB last night secured their place in the quarter-final stage of the First Bahrain Futsal League thanks to a 5-3 win over Malkiya at the Shaikh Khalifa Sports City complex in Isa Town.

Goals from Mamdoh Abbas (Malkiya) and Sayed Mohammed Amin (Al Shabbab) saw the sides deadlocked at the break but an inspired second half performance that produced goals for Mohammed Saleh Ali (2), Fallah Abbas and Ahmed Abdul Jalil, in response to efforts from Mahmood Naji and Jaffer Darowish, saw Shabbab claim victory.

It was their third win from four in the group and one that earns them a quarter-final meeting with the winner of Group D, to be decided later today, on Sunday.

Earlier yesterday in Group C, Sitra ensured they maintained their 100 per cent winning record as they overcame the Interior Ministry by 7-5 in a hotly-contested battle.

Sitra had already qualified for the last eight following their 7-2 victory over Malkiya last week but their latest win sees them take up the mantle as one of the favourites for the tournament.

They didn't have it all their own way yesterday however, as the Interior Ministry side, who still had slim hopes of progressing to the knockout stages themselves, pushed them all the way.

Indeed a smashing first half by the underdogs saw them lead 4-3 at the half-time break thanks to goals from Ahmed Mohammed Amin, Ahmed Abboud and Mustafa Abdullatif (2) in response to a Mohammed Al Toq hat-trick for Sitra.

Sitra responded in style in the second period and goals from Yassir Abdullah Ebrahim (2), Ahmed Antar and another from Al Toq coupled with tremendous defensive work, which saw them concede only one more goal by Abdulatif, secured the win.

The curtain comes down on the group stages later today at the Shaikh Khalifa Sports city, with the Defence Ministry taking on Umm Al Hassam from 4.45pm and Al Hala meeting Nomas for Projects at 6.30pm.

Both matches are part of Group D, where Al Hala, Nomas for Projects and Umm Al Hassam are all still in contention to join the Defence Ministry in the last eight.

The first legs of the quarter-final clashes will take place at the same venue on Saturday and Sunday, with the second legs to be played out next week.




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