Bassami-Friends and Dr. Hasan Gazzawi Hospital ACC-B entered the finals of the First and Second Divisions respectively in contrasting styles in the 13th week of the 16th SIFF-Western Union Soccer 2012 at the Ministry of Education Stadium here last week. While Friends rallied to draw 2-2 at the end of the regulation and extra times and then prevailed in a nerve-racking tie-breaker at 4-3 against an equally talented ABC Cargo Real Kerala FC in the tension-filled First Division semifinal, ACC-B continued its unbeaten run in the tournament by blanking Jeddah Sports Club 2-0 in the Second Division semifinal. In between, SIFF President's XI defeated Secretary's XI 1-0 in an exhibition match of the veterans. The only goal was scored by Basheer Thuvvoor in the second half. In the kids' final this Friday, Naseem Jeddah Sporting Club will take on Al-Kasabi Green Shore Club. 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. It was a story of youngsters prevailing over experienced seniors when ACC-B beat JSC 2-0 to take its place in the final. JSC held on in the first half by sheer experience as defenders Abdul Rasheed and captain Zamir thwarted the moves produced by ACC-B's midfielder Naufal. JSC looked threatening several times when its Abdul Rahman made a lot of running through the right flank. ACC-B took the lead off a sudden but opportunistic shot by Safeer. JSC looked a tired lot towards the end and ACC-B completed the tally through Nishad. Safeer was adjudged the Player of the Match. Friends were not in their element in the knockout First Division semis. Even their dependable defenders Prashanth and Mohammed Rauf looked shaky. Both the goals they conceded came off Prashanth's mistakes. ABC as usual kept its cool which has been its trademark approach. To add to Friends woes their key man Shanavaz hit out a penalty early in the match. ABC slowly gained momentum and scored. Prashanth failed to control the ball properly and an alert Wasil Razak volleyed home off an acute angle. A frustrated Friends, however, kept attacking and Riaz hit a gem of a goal from the right flank. A sudden but terrific shot just landed in the cage to share the honors even. ABC took the lead again. Prashanth tried to clear the ball off a header but the ball landed on his hands and the referee pointed to the dreaded spot. A cool Jackson made no mistake from the spot for ABC. But Haris restored parity producing a beauty. He lobbed the ball over an advancing goalkeeper. After a barren extra-time Friends goalkeeper Salam stole the show in the tie-breaker. Though he escaped a second yellow and marching orders for his annoying tactics to upset the shooters while preparing for the shots, it clicked ultimately as he saved one shot and another rival striker missed the target. Salam, who also made good saves during the regulation time, was adjudged the Player of the Match. During the tie-breaker ABC began with Jackson shooting home but its Abdul Rasheed's shot was saved by Salam, Wasil shot over while Jaffer and Kichapu converted to lose 3-4. At the other end, after Farooq shot over the first kick, Sameer, Harris, Riaz and Shihab made no mistake. Friday's matches: 5:00 P.M. – (kids' final) Naseem Jeddah Sporting Club vs. Al-Kasabi Green Shore Club; 6:00 P.M. –(semifinals) Emami Blue Star A vs. IISJ; 7.30 P.M. – (semifinals) ACC-A vs. BCC. __
