Indonesian International School will meet International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) for the Al-Abeer Trophy in the SIFF-Rabea Tea Champions League at the Hilal Sham Stadium near Khalid Bin Waleed Street here Friday. In the semifinals, Indonesian boys toyed with Al-Noor International School, beating it 5-0, while IISJ rallied and struggled to get past Bangladesh International School 2-1. In the last league match in Division A, last year's runner-up Blue Star A lost to Sharafiya Trading Zabin FC 2-0 and bowed out of the tournament. Zabin FC and ACC B qualified for the semis from Group A, while last year's champion Real Kerala and Blue Star B made it into the last four from Group B. 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. In the schools' division, Indonesian boys were in complete control against Al-Noor. Their players Ziad, Ansari and Husni created panic at rival's goalmouth. However, Al-Noor keeper Nusaif made a number of saves to limit the damage to 5-0. Zaid scored twice, while Husni, Ansari and Azam completed the tally. Ziad was named the Player of the Match. Favorite IISJ was shocked by Bangladesh by going one up in the first half through a penalty converted by Abdul Rahman. IISJ defenders were shaky in this session. Powered by fine show by midfielders Shabin Rasheed, Haatim Nazir, Sahal Saheer and Najoom, IISJ came back strongly in the second session. When speedy forward Akhil Kareem too found form Bangladesh was under pressure. Shabin leveled the score through an excellent freekick and IISJ gained rhythm. Its Sahal Saheer scored the winner and won the Player of the Match award. Nadec Blue Star A needed a win to qualify for the semifinals and it began very well but was unlucky to score. Either its forwards failed to connect or rival keeper Salam stood in its way. To make matters worse, its key man Nisar Koya was off-form. At the other end, Zabin's Siraj and Thoufiq were always threatening the goal with the support of Saifu Saman. Zabin FC broke the deadlock when Daison Davadas connected a neat pass from Thoufeeq. Zabin's defenders Abdul Rauf and Mohammed Aslam were in superb form throughout. Sirajudeen scored the second goal for Zabin, assisted by Saifudhin. Sirajudin was adjudged the Player of the Match. Friday's matches (From 8:00 p.m.): Friday Friends FC vs. United Sports B (C Division semis); International Indian School Jeddah vs. Indonesian International School (Inter-School final); Town Team Strikers vs. Rehab FC Yanbu (B Division semis).
