Playing for Makkah FC, Indian Soccer League (ISL) player Mohammed Rafi of Kerala Blasters stole the show on a day when A Division favorites Friends Jeddah and Blue Star A shared two goals and points in the SIFF-Rabea Tea Champions League at the Hilal Sham Stadium near Khalid Bin Waleed Street here. Rafi's presence thrilled a huge holiday crowd and the spotlight was on the B Division match. And Rafi did not disappoint the soccer fans as he scored a beautiful goal and steered Makkah FC into the semifinals with a 2-1 win over a spirited Falcon FC from Thuwal. Earlier in the Al-Abeer Inter-School Champions League, Al-Noor International School drew with Novel International School 1-1. The league championship, organized by Saudi Indian Football Forum, is mainly sponsored by Rabea Tea and supported by Al-Abeer Medical Group, Jeddah National Hospital, TSS Advertising, Fathima Food Stuff, Gamon Group, Kathir Rice, Al-Ryan Polyclinic and Sharafiya Trading. Makkah FC, which has already made its presence felt in the tournament, held the upper hand against Falcon as Rafi controlled the proceedings. But Falcon put on a spirited display. It created a number of tense moments for Makkah keeper Mohammed Rafi Parundan. Falcon's Azhar Puthiya Nalakath was outstanding in defense and he tightly marked dangerous Rafi. But Rafi had the last laugh as he pounced on a through pass in the second half and beat Falcon keeper Radha Krishnan with a beautiful carpet drive. Sainul Abdin then increased the lead when his corner kick landed directly into the goal. Falcon fought hard and Usmanmuth reduced the margin to 1-2. Falcon's Nalakath was named as the Player of the Match. In an exciting A Division match, last year's runner-up Blue Star A held Friends Jeddah 1-1. Friends did better in the first half and Omar Farooq tested the Blue Star defense with his massive shooting power. At the other end, fine attempts by Majeed and Baiju were brilliantly saved by Friends' keeper Faisal. Friends took the lead in the second half through Naushad Ali. Blue Star played better after conceding the goal and equalized when Abdul Nabeel converted a penalty. Blue Star defender Yousuf Moothedath was adjudged the Player of the Match. In the inter-school match, Arshaq scored for Al-Noor and Mohammed Sulaiman equalized for Novel. Hassan Ahmed of Novel School was selected as the Player of the Match. Friday's matches (from 8:00 p.m.): Bangladesh International School vs Al-Falah DPS Jeddah (Inter-School), Al-Rayan Blue Star Seniors vs. Young Challengers (C Division) and Al-Noor Medical Center Friends Juniors vs. Nadec Blue Star B (A Division).
