Champions cup Football: Salcete United win

Manama

 Salcete United defeated ShowStoppers FC 3-1 in the final to clinch the Champions Cup 2015 Seven-a-Side Football Tournament organised by ShowStoppers FC at the Winners Football Centre in Isa Town.

The first half was a cagey affair and ended with neither side finding the net. However, in the second half the match sprung into action with Salcete United taking the lead in the 18th minute via a free kick from Raegan that bounced inside off the underside of the crossbar. However, in the 22nd minute, ShowStoppers FC’s star playmaker Nizam Abdul equalised as he dribbled past three players and rifled a cracking shot into the far corner of the net.

A defensive error that was intercepted by Raegan in the 27th minute left Tanvez clean through  on goal, and he made no mistake in putting Salcete United 2-1 ahead and as ShowStoppers FC threw men forward in s

earch of an equaliser, Salcete through Rocky scored a third and decisive goal via a quick counter attack deep into stoppage time.
A total of 12 Indian-only teams were in the fray and split into two groups, with round-robin matches played over two weeking to determine the knockout phase last Friday.

After the final, an awarding ceremony was held with trophies and awards given to teams and individuals by chief guest, Mahesh Bhatia, General Manager of United Commercial Agencies.

The tournament was supported by Al Diyafah Supplies and Services, Arabian International Services, Modern Global Cleaning and Contracting Company, United Commercial Agencies, GSF Hypermarket, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Golden Neon and Coca-Cola.

Awards: Winners: Salcete United (BD200 + trophies/medals ).

Runner-up: ShowStoppers FC (BD100 + trophies/medals).

Best Goalkeeper: Freddie (Salcete United). Player of the Tournament: Sarath (Al Kerlawi FC).
Best Defender: Sajeesh (ShowStoppers FC). Top Scorer: Nizam Abdul (ShowStoppers FC, 7 goals in 8 matches).
Results: Semi-finals: Salcete United bt Al Kerlawi FC (1-1, 3-1 on penalties). ShowStoppers FC bt JMJ Bardez Boys (2-0).

Quarter-finals: Al Kerlawi FC bt Yuva Kerala (2-1). ShowStoppers FC bt Riffa Strikers
(4-0). Salcete United bt FC Goa Bahrain (0-0, 5-4 on penalties). JMJ Bardez Boys bt Dadabhai Travels (0-0, 3-0 on penalties).