Courtesy: Gulf Daily News


Al Ayam reach futsal last four

by Rami Hulayyel

Sunday, August 21, 2011

AL AYAM and Layalina Magazine completed the semi-finals cast in the first Media Futsal Championship, being organised by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and General Organisation for Youth and Sports.

On third and last day of the preliminary round, held at Khalifa Sports City's hall in Isa Town, both Al Ayam and Layalina Magazine extended their positive run in the competition against Bahrain News Agency (BNA) and Al Wasat, respectively.

In Group 'C' decider, Al Ayam edged past BNA 4-1 to top this three-team group with six points from two victories and secure their berth in the competition's last four.

Al Ayam, who won their opener against contenders Al Qawassim with a stunning 7-0 victory last Thursday, headed into this 30-minute game looking for the full three points to progress.

And indeed it was Ali Elyasi's squad who excelled, scoring three goals in the first-half, then picked up the fourth in the closing stages of the game to put the scores beyond reach.

Abdulla Abdullatif and Ali Saleh led Al Ayam to the deserving win, scoring a brace each. BNA, who went down to Al Qawassim 0-2 in the first match, needed to win this match by more than a five-goal margin to qualify.

However, BNA were unable to match the strength and experience of their opponents as they crashed out of the tournament. Their only goal came from Mohammed Mahmood.

Layalina followed suit, holding bitter rivals Al Wasat 2-2 to qualify from Group 'D' on a better goal difference.

Mohammed Janahi and Khalifa Zaiman were on target for Layalina while Al Wasat goals were scored by Hassan Ramadan and Falah Abbas.

Two no-bearing matches were held later in the day as MBC Group registered a demolishing 23-2 win over the Bahrain Journalists Society in Group 'B' while Al Watan eased past Al Bilad 10-1 in the concluding Group 'A' clash.

Ebrahim Ahmed Habib scored a whopping margin of 16 goals as he stole the limelight in MBC Group's emphatic win over the Bahrain Journalists Sociery, the biggest scoring game in the tournament.

Habib's impressive goal scoring spree made him the tournament's top scorer with 19 goals. His nearest challenger is Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation's striker Thamer Shammoos who has 11 goals to his credit. Also on target for the victors were Hussain Kazeroni (5 goals), Sadeq Marhoon and Daij Mandi, while Ahmed Yaqoub scored both goals for the losing team.

In the Al Watan vs Al Bilad match, Nawaf Al Malki and Hamad Al Rumaihi fired a hat-trick each for the former who picked up their maiden win.

The remaining goals came from Ali Abdulrasool, Raed Baba, Abdulwahab Ebrahim and Ali Abdulrasool, while Aqeel Barakat managed Al Bilad's consolation.

The semi-finals are scheduled for tomorrow when Group 'A' winners Public Relations of Bahrain Society take on Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation from Group 'B' at 10pm.

This will be followed by an interesting match between Group 'C' champions Al Ayam and Group 'D' first-placers Layalina at 11pm.

Both matches will be held in knock-out format, with the winners to clash in the final on Wednesday.

This event is being held under the directives of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

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

The sponsors is supporting the tournament with a BD27,000 total purse, including BD7,000 for the champions.

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