Sharjah: Al Maarifa School and Al Zuhour Private School came out on top in the Schools Cup Boys’ U-16 category among northern emirates teams of du Football Champions.
The weekend saw a day of football excellence in the knockout phase for the northern emirates teams yesterday. For Al Zuhour, it was touch-and-go throughout the day before they won the final against Al Ahliya Private School with a dramatic 6-3 scoreline. For Al Maarifa, Ahmad Al Yamani emerged the top-scorer with six goals.
“This tournament has been amazing. We have learnt the most important lesson in football: that we are at our best when we play as a team and that’s what got us through today,” said 15-year-old Ahmad from Al Maarifa, who impressed the LaLiga scouts.
Michel Salgado, former Spanish intermational and championship director, had words of encouragement for northern emirates winners. “What we saw today was amazing – young kids with an incredible focus to play the best possible football. Those who made it through were the ones who showed us week after week that they are serious about the game. They are the ones who put in the hours to train and earn their spots.”
In the Schools Cup boys’ Under-14 category, a surprise turn of events saw underdogs Salman Farsi stealing the show as they made their way into the next round with a 3-1 win over Al Zuhour Private School.
In the girls’ section, teams moving forward from northern emirates are Al Maarifa School and Our Own English High School.
