Jeddah: The Indian team won against the Syrian team in a football match organized by the Association for Resident Communities in Jeddah on the occasion of National Day. In the second half, both teams scored one goal each and the winners were decided by penalty shoot out.
When the penalty kicks of Anees, Niaz, Shafiq, Sanoop and Aslam were on target for the Indian team, the kick of Faiz who took the last kick from the Syrian line was blocked by the goalkeeper Nidil Shan (Kalikawa). From the start of the match, the Syrian forward line tried hard to crack the strong defense of Samir, Shihab, Sanoop, Muhammad and goalkeeper Abdulsalam, but failed to score. As the Syrian team began to retreat without seeing the target, Niaz (Pakru), Aslam, Renish and Sudheesh took control of the ball and the Indian line began to attack.
In the second half, the Syrian defense lost rhythm due to the good moves of the Indian players. Forward Nias Edathanatukara’s beautiful pass Anees Karuwarakund headed into the Syrian net to give India the lead. With five minutes left in the match, Niaz was sent off after receiving a red card, so the Indian team played with ten men for the rest of the time. The Indian team equalized with two minutes remaining.
The team was prepared by ACC, the Indian football club in Jeddah. Apart from the ACC players, the best players from other clubs were also included in the team. Association executive members K.P. Siddique (Kannur) and Syrian coach Mustafa presented the trophy to the winners. Rashid Aburahhal, a member of the association, was the match commissioner.