Manama, Jul. 16. (BNA) — Two more teams passed to the semifinals of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Seventh Ramadan Football Championship (Nasser 7). Bahrain National Stadium hosted two exciting matches on Tuesday, where Al Nawayef and Al Fakhar teams qualified to the semifinals.
Al Nawayef won Fast Link with penalty shots 6-4, after a long exhausting match with the newcomer that ended with 1-1. Al Nawayef player Ahmed Rashid was awarded as the star of the match by Fast Link Company.
On the other hand, Al Fakhar won Forever with a 4-0 result, eliminating the team from the competition. Al Fakhar goals were scored by Hussain Ghazi, Abdulla Ibrahim and Musa Abdulamir, who scored the first and the last goals of the match.
Al Fakhar player Hassan Abdulaziz was named the best player by the end of the match. He said that the team is ready to meet Al Nawayef in the semifinals, expressing that the match is expected to be tough. “The team players will spare no effort to reach Nasser 7 finals and hopefully win the championship,” Said Abdulaziz.
On his part, Forever goalie Nasser Yehya congratulated Al Fakhar players for winning the game and qualifying to the semifinals. Yehya said that the team’s loss was unexpected, explaining that Forever players committed several unintended mistakes which led to their loss.
Mohammed Al Shargawi, defender of the first qualifier to Nasser 7, Victorious team, said that the championship is taking a hard turn while proceeding towards the finals. Al Shargawi expected a tough match against Al Zilzal, at the same time he explained the team’s goal is to the championship and dedicate the victory to the team’s first supporter, the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
HH Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa stated that Al Nawayef and Fast Link match scenario was expected, considering the high technical skills shown by both teams in the initial rounds of the championship.
HH Shaikh Khalid said, “Our tough match with Fast Link was a lesson to our players to concentrate throughout the match. We are currently preparing for the next challenge, which is playing against Al Fakhar in the semifinals and qualify to the final match.”
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa monitored the condition of Victorious goalkeeper Saeed Hassan, who suffered a serious shoulder injury during the team’s match with Goal in theh second rounds of the championship.
Saeed was rushed by paramedics to Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, where he underwent a shoulder surgery. The goalie will not be able with his teammates in the next games as directed by doctors.
Nasser 7 Manager Mr. Hassan Ismail announced that six foreign players were registered in the championship. Mr. Ismail explained that each team was allowed to register two foreign players, who added to the championship’s technical level.
Mr. Ismail added that professional players of various nationalities took part in the championship, including British, Syrian, Yemeni and Jordanian players. He also appreciated the team’s commitment to the championship’s regulations.
Bahrain Football Association (BFA) Deputy President Mr. Ali Al Buainain praised HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for directing to organise the championship, which contributed in producing various new football talents throughout the previous years.
Mr. AL Buainain said that HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Football championships are a role model for successful local sports events, benefiting players, administrators and trainers alike.
In Set
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa appreciated the support granted by Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Company in supporting the seventh version of the championship.
Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo General Manager Mr. Fouad Kanoo said that the support comes with the company’s community partnership policy, which supports several sectors of the society.
During his meeting with Nasser 7 Executive Manager Mr. Tawfeeq Al Salehy, Mr. Kanoo expressed that HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Ramadan Football championships are among the most popular and successful local sports events.
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BNA 1617 GMT 2014/07/16