Courtesy: Gulf News


Khalid Al Ali helps Delwood claim Futsal Cup

By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter

Dubai: UAE national Khalid Al Ali from Fujairah powered Delwood to a 3-2 sudden death tiebreaker win against Skyline in the Dubai Futsal Cup on Friday.

Playing with an injured elbow, Al Ali affected two smart saves in the tie-breaker to help his team to the title played at the Hayya! Hall at The Meadows.

Al Ali had a hand in the Delwood success at all stages of the final.

The Delwood goalkeeper saved a penalty during the fifth minute of regulation time, and then scored the equaliser on the fulltime hooter to push the match into extra-time.

Playing with all UAE nationals, Skyline threatened to walk away with the match early. But it was Al Ali who stood between them and victory.

He brought off at least three saves, including the penalty, during regulation period.

However, all the hard work and deft footwork paid off for Skyline just one minute from fulltime as they latched on a defensive lapse and Walid Mohammad found the goal.

As the seconds ticked away for the final hooter, goalkeeper Al Ali caught the Skyline goalkeeper off his line and cleverly lobbed over him for the equaliser.

"It was more by instinct that I thought I would find the net with that lob," Al Ali said.

Earlier, Active Sports beat Mace 2-1 to clinch third place. Cees Valk and Waqas Al Adawi scored for Active Sports, while Mark Humphreys pulled one back for the losing side.

"In keeping with the spirit of Dubai, Delwood had the most international team," stated Farbod Dowl-atshahi of organisers Delwood.

"We had two French, one German, a UAE national, an Iranian and a Pakistani," he added.

"This is the start that we have been looking for to get this exciting brand moving in the UAE," stated Eric Gottschalk of Delwood.

"Our aim is to have a Fifa-sanctioned international event in the UAE very soon," he added.

In the semifinals, Delwood beat Active Sport 1-0, while Skyline beat Mace 2-0.

Later, Dowlatshahi gave away the trophies to the winners along with Raymond Kelly of Raymond Sport.






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