Bassami-Friends continued their unbeaten run in the 16th SIFF-Western Union Soccer 2012 with an authoritative 3-1 victory over Sharafiya Trading BCC at the Ministry of Education Stadium here Friday. With this third victory Friends lead the First Division, followed by reigning champion Al-Abeer Medical Group ACC-A. Earlier in the Second Division matches, after Jeddah Sports Club and United Sports Club drew goalless in Group B, Dr Hassan Ghazawi Hospital-ACC B scored its second victory in Group A by beating a fighting ABC Kerala XI 2-1. The three-month long event is mainly sponsored by Western Union Money Transfer and supported by Al-Abeer Medical Group, Naseem Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah National Hospital and Rose Biriyani Rice. Abdul Arafat Baig of United Sports Club won the Player of the match award in the goalless draw with Jeddah Sports Club. After a barren first half, ACC B took the lead in the second match when Firoze headed home off a free kick by Naufal. Kerala XI equalized through a beautiful move from the right by IISJ schoolboy Adil Salam who sped past the rivals and sent a neat cross which was clinically connected by Safvan Varikoden. Towards the end, however, ACC B struck off a goalmouth melee through Farash. It sparked a controversy as Kerala XI contested the decision, claiming Farash being in an off-side position. Naufal Choukly was adjudged as the Player of the Match. In the highly awaited First Division encounter, BCC stunned this year's hot favorites Friends, scoring in the third minute. A sudden counter attack and a neat lob from the middle by Shafeeq was controlled by Haris Kunnummel and he beat an advancing goalkeeper just on top of the box and steered the ball cooly into the goal. Soon Friends attacked and Mohammed Rauf's thundering free kick bounced off the goalpost. Their trio of Azeez, Shanavaz and speedy Haris looked threatening. After Haris executing a brilliant reverse shot, the striker dashed from left and entered into the small box and was tripped by Sherief for a penalty. And Shanavaz converted to even the score. Friends then wrested the lead, again came from a lightning run by Haris, this time from the right flank. The cross was met by Sameer to make it 2-1. And soon Sameer completed the tally. Both goalkeepers, Salam of Friends and Latheef of BCC were brilliant under the bar. Haris of Friends was selected as the Player of the Match. Friday's matches: 4:30 P.M. – Bharat Recreation Club vs. Young Challengers Club; 6:00 – Nadec Blue Star A vs. ABC Cargo Real Kerala FC. — SG __
