Courtesy: Gulf Daily News


Riffa win futsal trophy in style

Thursday, November 22, 2012

RIFFA yesterday won the Women's Five-A-Side Futsal Championship crown, part of the First Bahrain Women's Games.

The tournament's No 1 lifted the trophy with a well-earned 14-2 victory over Arsenal 'Red' in the final match at Khalifa Sports City Gym in Isa Town, where the curtains came down on the Games, which featured eight sporting competitions in total.

The Games was organised by the Supreme Council for Women in co-operation with the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) and is under the patronage of Princess Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and Supreme Council President.

Reem Al Hashmi and Yasmine hit four goals apiece for Riffa, while Manar Ebrahim (3 goals), Marwa Mohammed (2) and Shaikha Al Anood Al Khalifa (1) made other key contributions.

Reema Al Qassab managed both goals for Arsenal, who settled for second place and the silver medal.

Featuring several of football stars from the Bahrain women's national team, Riffa lived up to expectations as they enjoyed ball possession for much of the game.

Riffa coach Adel Al Marzooqi, a former Riffa Club and national team midfielder, played yesterday's game while pinning his hopes on his prominent players.

Goalkeeper Shaikha Noaf bint Khalid Al Khalifa was also outstanding, bringing off several fine saves to deny Arsenal 'Red' and keep Riffa's advantage by a significant margin.

Arsenal 'Red', on the other hand, headed into the tournament's finale hoping to avenge their heavy 1-8 defeat to Riffa in the group stage, where they could finish second to progress into the semi-finals.

But Arsenal, who were heavily relying on national team star Dina Abdulrahman, were unable to match the strength and experience of their opponents.

Rising football talents like Amira Buqrais, Rima Al Qassab and Lamees Al Saqqa fought back bravely against a more experienced Riffa players, who proved the stronger side in the game as they capitalised on their counter attacks to secure the victory.

In the third-place match played earlier yesterday, Bahrain's under-16 team defeated Happy Feet 4-2 to secure podium, thanks to goals from Zaynab Al Qaydoom and Noor Anwar.

Thuraya Al Waari was on target for Happy Feet.

Bahrain Olympic Committee member and women's sports committee chairwomen Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa attended the final.

Riffa received the trophy at the awarding ceremony as Arsenal collected their prize from Supreme Council for Women Director-General of Women Empowerment Programmes Shaikha Azza bint Abdulrahman Al Khalifa.

Bahrain and Arab Football Associations' women's committee chairwomen Shaikha Hessa bint Khalid Al Khalifa honoured Bahrain's under-16 team.






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