Dubai: Borussia Dortmund and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia secured contrasting wins as the Sixth Hamdan Bin Mohammad U17 International Football Championships got under way at the Dubai Police Officers Club late on Friday.
Watched by football legend Diego Maradona and Freddy Kanoute, Borussia Dortmund rode on a brace from Jonas Schneck for a comfortable 2-0 win over Al Wasl, while Al Hilal made merry for a 9-0 thumping of Hatta Club in the second match of the night.
Real Madrid have been clubbed along with SC Internacional, Brazil and local outfits Al Nasr, Hatta Club and Al Wasl in Group A.
“It’s always good to start off with a win. The weather here is a bit harsh for our boys as we are used to around eight degrees back home. But now that we have three points we are pleased,” Borussia Dortmund coach Christian Fluethmann told Gulf News.
“The boys know what to expect now and I can see them playing with a better understanding now,” he added.
In the second match of the night, Al Hilal took just ten minutes to open their account. And once they did, the floodgates opened as the team from Saudi Arabia took a 5-0 lead going in at the half-time whistle.
Their Argentinean coach Juan Ignacio Brown brought in four substitutes in the second half, and they still managed to push in another four goals to complete the rout against a demoralised opponent.
“It’s a great way to start the competition as the boys will be full of confidence against stronger teams like Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. But I believe in taking one match at a time and hopefully we will be able to come through,” Brown said.
Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the annual event is being organized by Dubai Sports Council from April 8-17.
Preliminary round matches will be held daily at 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm till the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, and the final will be held on April 17.
Sponsored and supported by a range of sponsors including Emirates Airline, Audi, Dubai Sports Channel, Movenpick Hotel, Caltex and Belhasa Holding, the age-group tournament is organized to give local Dubai clubs the opportunity of playing against various styles of football from across the globe.
RESULTS
Borussia Dortmund bt Al Wasl 2-0
Al Hilal bt Hatta Club 9-0
-Ends
