Dubai: A fierce battle between Al Wasl and Barcelona ended in a spectacular 8-8 draw on Wednesday night at the five-a-side Dubai International Indoor Football Championship taking place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Showing strength and skill throughout, Al Wasl controlled the game against the Spanish giants and looked sure of victory until Sergi Barjuan equalised in the dying minutes to give Barca a share of the spoils.
The tournament, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre in partnership with Dubai Sports Council will hold the semi-finals and finals tonight with a kick-off slated for 9.30pm.
Tickets cost Dh100 or Dh200 for VIP seating and are available through Time Out Tickets, or at the venue, in Shaikh Rashid Hall.
The three-day tournament involves four UAE-based clubs going head-to-head with two of the world's most famous teams, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
The spectacular five-a-side tournament runs alongside Dubai Sports World, the largest ever indoor sports event in the UAE with three evening matches per day from 9.30pm till 12.30am.
Battling it out against the two Spanish giants for the prize money of Dh100,000 will be Al Wasl Club, Sharjah, the UAE Stars team and a guest Palestine Stars side.
Saif Al Mansouri, Deputy Head, Group Marketing & Branding of Emirates NBD, Strategic Sponsor of the event, said: "It is a great pleasure to be the strategic partner for the Dubai International Indoor Football Championship, which fits perfectly within our role as an ambassador of economic and social progress for the UAE.
"Emirates NBD continues to support strengthening the event sector's contribution to Dubai's economy."
Dr Ahmad Al Sharif, Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council, said: "The participation of Barcelona and Real Madrid, two teams that include the elite of former Spanish stars, demonstrates our organising committee's commitment to creating a distinctive tournament that can be proudly added to the many championships hosted by Dubai.
"The participation of teams from Al Wasl and Sharjah, along with the UAE Stars and the Palestine Stars, will make the championship very special. We very much wanted our Palestinian brothers to participate in the tournament as an expression of our love and support to them in all life aspects, including sports."
Victor Sanchez, one of the stars of the tournament and a Champions League winner with Real Madrid said that the visit to Dubai was as much about culture as competition.
Other results: Real Madrid bt UAE Stars 14-2; Al Wasl bt Palestine Stars 10-3.
