Egyptian Stars clinch Al Habtoor football title

Dubai: The Egyptian Stars secured a hard-fought 7-6 tie-breaker win over Jumeirah to lift the 2nd Al Habtoor Football Championships that concluded at the Emirates International School yesterday.

The hero for the Egyptian Stars was goalkeeper Ahmad Ebrahim after he saved Mohammad Mallalah's eighth penalty kick to help his team to deserving victory in this annual tournament.

Samaha Hussain had earlier scored a stylish brace to help the Egyptian Stars to a two-goal cushion early in the first half, but goals from brothers Ahmad Omar and Mohammad Omar negated that and kept the teams tied 2-2 by the end of regulation period.

Ahmad Khalaf Al Habtoor, Yousuf Al Shalabi and Saif Al Mazroei from the Al Habtoor Group presented the trophies to the winners and runners-up after the final.

Classic goals

Hussain's two goals had class written all over as the Egyptian struck in quick succession in the 13th and 16th minutes before Ahmad Omar pulled one back two minutes from half-time.

Much was expected from Jumeirah as they were served by former UAE skipper Mohammad Omar, younger brother Ahmad, former Al Nasr midfielder Mussalam Ahmad and with ex-Tunisian captain Zubair Baya. But the skilful Egyptians proved worthy opponents as they not only took their time to settle in, but did well to score from the opportunities that came their way.

Red card

Midway through the second half, the Egyptian Stars had things eased out for them as Baya was shown the red card for a second bookable offence. But Jumeirah battled on and were rewarded for their hard work two minutes later when Mohammad Omar scored from the spot to make it 2-2 following a foul on younger brother.

Thereafter, both teams tried their best to find the winner, but were denied by some resolute defending both ways for the tie-breaker to be enforced.

Earlier in the playoff for third place, Top 1 Security bypassed hosts Al Habtoor Motors in the penalty shoot-out after both teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation period.

Both goals came in the second half with Mustafa Funoun putting Al Habtoor ahead in the eighth minute, while Jawad Ahmad equalised three minutes later to force the tie-breaker.

A total of 16 teams participated in this three-week long tournament sponsored by Khalaf Al Habtoor of the Al Habtoor Group of Companies.