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Dubai, UAE – 15 Feb 2015 – In the third week of the Dubai Schools Cup teams were not only playing for glory but to secure a place as the 16 teams who advance to the knockout stage where three rounds of play decide which teams will participate in the final. The matches featured crisp, creative, accurate passing and plays continuously with a steady flow and rhythm and minimum of hard fouls or slow play. The pace of play was spectacular with 10 hat tricks scored during the day, including 2 in the Dad vs. Dad match. Parents and fans were treated to a compelling display of performance that was riveting enough to send the casual spectator into an emotional roller coaster ride across the spectrum from sorrow to absolute bliss.
Commenting on the tournament, Abdulla Mohammad Shahdad, Manager of School Sports from the Dubai Sports Council said, 'We are very happy with the progress of the Dubai Schools Cup and pleased to see many more UAE national students participating this year. I believe the tournament will generate talent that will champion sports in the UAE for many generations to come.”
In the age group boys U12 there were no surprises as Dubai National School Barsha and Hatta Primary School lead their groups. Top scorer young Nasser Mohamad Nasser from Dubai National School energized the crowd in his match against JSS Private School with not only his hat trick, which lead his team's victory, but also his tactical assists that led to 4 more goals scored.
Speaking after the match he said, “Today's match was amazing and I am so happy we won. We practiced all week and it paid off today. I love this tournament and this is what I play football for.”
In a praiseworthy performance in the age group boys U14 category Gems Winchester Oud Metha pulled out all the stops in the second leg of their match against Choueifat DIP coming from behind at 0-2 at half time to win the match with 5 goals and securing their seat in the round of 16. The young players from Rashid Bin Saeed School who travel 2 hours from Hatta each Saturday reminded fans that it is the individual moments that prove crucial in the game as they dominated their way into the next round with a 9-0 win over Al Mawakeb School – Al Barsha in the match on the Silverado pitch. Man of the match Emirati Obaid Albadwawi who aspires to play like football superstar Neymar one day scored 5 of 9 goals.
Their coach Anwar Khalil said after the match, “I am so proud of these young men who have come here today with drive, discipline and passion to win and displayed an incredible ability to pull together as one unit to get themselves to the next round. It was a historical performance.
The age group boys U16 began as an evenly matched table with an opportunity for any team to advance. That was until the promise of victory into the next round provided transcendent qualities from within the players on the field today. What was once a competitive age category across the board now appears to have been narrowed to a close race. Salman Farsi Boys School and St. Mary's Catholic School are teams who have cemented there place into the round of 16 with a jaw-dropping 7 and 4 goals respectively.
Strong contenders include last year's Champions and runners up Lycee Francais International George Pompidou and International School of Choueifat-Dubai alongside Al Mawakeb Garhoud, Westminster and National Charity School all topping their groups moving into the next round.
Commenting at the end of day 3 Hussein Murad, CEO Inspiratus, the organizers of the Dubai Schools Cup said, “This tournament is providing students from across Dubai with an opportunity to get tournament experience while it drives them to develop a healthy lifestyle and habits that they will carry with them through their lives. The pace of the games and skills displayed on the pitches today was amazing. It's like watching the clubs youth teams from the top clubs of Europe. I think we will have an exceptional finals day this year and I look forward to it.”
The age group girls U17 represented a special breed of athlete, possessing great ability, endurance and speed to make quick cuts and the strength to fight off defenders. In the third week of the tournament, the girls scored a smashing 30 goals. Champions and runners up from the 2014 edition St. Mary's Catholic High School and Lycee Francais International George Pompidou need to exercise extreme perseverance and focus during the round of 16 as newcomers Gems Wellington International School and German International School displayed maximum performance skills today.
Weaving her way through the defense of Regent International School with unwavering confidence to make quick cuts and the strength to fight off the defenders to score a perfect double hat trick in one of the most dominating performances of the day fearless midfielder Georgia Gibson from Gems Wellington International School is clearly renowned for her ability to create scoring chances for herself and teammates. Georgia embodies the rise of young female football in the Dubai Schools Cup.
Speaking after her match she said, “We played well today and it's great to win. The others teams are strong and we have to prepare ourselves ahead of next weeks matches and we hope to make it to the Champions circle.”
Spectators at the tournament were in for a big surprise this week as Dad's of the tournament showed off their skills in the Dad vs Dad match. The matches were a great success as students got the opportunity to support their Dad's from the sidelines and a great testament to the spirit of the tournament, bringing the community together. Winners will receive a Chevrolet Weekend Test-Drive experience.
Other highlights from the week include the ongoing Instagram campaign for students to share/tag photos to enter a draw to win a sports bag. Students also had the opportunity to shoot through hoops and win an Adidas Predator gift pack.
Next week will bring monumental quality of youth football, as the teams will need to earn their rank in the quarterfinals.
DSFC takes place Saturdays 9am – 5pm from January 31 to March 7 at the Dubai Sports City's Football Academy. The tournament is organized by Inspiratus in partnership with Dubai Sports Council. This year, the teams will compete in four categories: Boys U12, U14, U16 and Girls U17. All Dubai Schools Cup matches will take place at Dubai Sports City on its 7 FIFA approved pitches.
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