Dubai: Diego Maradona is a likely inclusion in the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) squad as the hosts seek a place in the knockout stages of the Over-38 category of the 7Up Dubai Government Entities Football League being held at the Dubai Police Officers Club this Thursday.
DSC are scheduled to face defending champions Dubai Municipality in their last preliminary round group match at 7.15 pm on Thursday. Only a win will ensure the hosts reach the next stage of the inter-department league.
The captain was crucial in the DSC’s narrow 3-2 win over Dubai Courts two weeks ago, the Argentinian scoring two goals and setting up one. And the 1986 World Cup winner is fully aware that only a win against defending champions Dubai Municipality will suffice for his side in Thursday’s crucial encounter.
In other matches, the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs will face His Highness The Ruler’s Court. The Dubai Health Authority will take on Dubai Police while Dubai Airports Corporation will cross swords with the Civil Defence Department to decide the other teams in the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, in the last round matches of the U-37 competition, the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs defeated Dubai Media 2-1 and Dubai Free Zone overcame Dubai Airports Corporations 3-2.
Dewa had to resort to a tie-breaker to beat Dubai Municipality 3-2, while the Dubai Crown Prince’s Office defeated Dubai Courts 7-6 in sudden death and Dubai Police thrashed Fly Emirates 13-0.
In other matches, the Dubai Health Authority overcame Dubai Sports Council 4-2, Civil Defence Department defeated RTA 4-2 and Public Prosecution got the better of Dubai Customs 3-2 in the shoot-out.
The quarter-finals of the U-37 competition are scheduled for Saturday, with Public Prosecution playing Dubai Crown Prince’s Office, Civil Defence Department taking on Dewa, Dubai Health Authority facing Dubai Free Zone and defending champions Dubai Police taking on General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
The Championship is organised by the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Refreshments Company, with governmental and semi-governmental corporations represented by 41 teams in two separate age groups.
