Dubai: du LaLiga HPC were crowned the UAE FA Academy league champions in the Under-16 category when they whipped City FC 5-0 on Friday. City FC, however, emerged champions in the Under-14 category.
du LaLiga HPC outplayed the boys in red from City FC from the opening whistle. Setting the pace of with an attacking style, they earned a penalty but the City FC goalkeeper saved it to a roar of support from the crowd with the halftime whistle ending a goalless first half.
The battle for honours continued into the second half while du LaLiga HPC kept the pressure high, playing a fast paced tactical match, creating opportunities. Hasan Ali finally opened the scoreline to give du LaLiga HPC the lead and reignite the team spirit. With great support from friends and families for both teams, the atmosphere was electric.
The du LaLiga HPC boys played from strength to strength and pumped in four more goals through Lotfi Machou, Mohammad Shabrawy and Adham Khalid and ended their campaign with a five-point lead at the top of the table.
The Under-14 match kicked off and City FC’s Aston Foster wasted no time in finding the back of the net with a powerful shot in the opening minute — raising the spirits of his team. However, du LaLiga HPC kept the pressure on, keeping the pace of the game high and rallied to make it 1-1 through a goal by Akram Kabbani. With City FC needing only a draw to take the top prize, they held on to play a defensive second half to keep the scoreline in tact.
Dr Khalid Mohammad Abdullah, managing director, Football Association Academy said: “We congratulate the winners of the second season of the UAE FA Academy League, which enables our young footballers in club academies as well as private academies across the nation to play competitive football at the highest standards raising the bar on football in the UAE.”
