Dubai: Al Wasl hammered Dubai Club 3-0 to clinch the Danone Nations Cup U12 football tournament late on Friday.
One of the most dominant teams throughout the 16-team competition, Al Wasl’s win now earns them the right to represent the UAE at the 17th Danone World Final to be held in New York and New Jersey in the US from September 20-25.
“No doubt we were the favourites going into this tournament, but this could have been a tricky prospect as anything can happen in a football match. However, our players stuck to their roles as emphasised by the coach and we are very pleased with yet another trophy this season,” Rashid Kandak, technical director, Al Wasl Club told Gulf News.
“We got this team well prepared for this tournament in one week. This competition was a good challenge for them and I am happy that they’ve managed to achieve such a great goal of representing the UAE in the World Final,” he added.
In the semi-finals, Al Wasl hammered Al Shabab 4-1 after trouncing E-Sports Academy 4-0 in the quarter-finals. Ateej Essam and Mohammad Khalid — affectionately called ‘Gyan’ by all — were the standout strikers for Al Wasl, while the wiry Rashid Mohammad was always in control of the midfield.
Rashid Abdullah opened the scoring in the final after receiving a square ball from Mohammad Khalid, then Ahmad Nasser Traore converted from the spot to double the lead, and Mohammad Khalid rounded off the scoring for an easy win.
The Al Wasl juniors have had a brilliant year so far, winning the season-opening DSC Cup for U12s, followed by the league crown two weeks back with an unbeaten record of 12 wins and four draws while conceding only four goals in 16 matches played, to eventually round off the season with the Danone Cup.
“I am most happy for the players and for all the hard work they have put in to be where they are at this moment,” Al Wasl coach Abdul Salam Essa Mohammad said.
“Our secret lies in the fact that we are one family, on and off the pitch. That is our philosophy always and we allow these boys to grow up in one culture and environment all the time,” he added.
Hans van der Wulp, General Manager, Danone Nutricia Middle East was joined by Adil Al Bannai from Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and former UAE national team star Nasser Khamis, who is Danone’s local ambassador in the UAE, at the presentation of medals and trophies after the final.
RESULTS
Final: Al Wasl 3 Dubai Club 0
Semi-finals: Al Wasl 4 Al Shabab 1; Dubai Club 4 Al Nasr 3 (on penalties)
Quarter-finals: Al Nasr 2 Ajman Club 1; Dubai Club 1 FCB Escola 0; Al Shabab 1 Emirates Club 0; Al Wasl 4 E-Sports Academy 0.
