Top Contenders for Dubai Schools Football Cup

EMERGE IN 5th WEEK OF PLAY

Dubai, UAE – 9 February 2014 – With the final round robin matches days away, competition intensified yesterday as Dubai Schools Football Cup 2014.

Following this week’s play, the U15 boys from Sabis Choueifat are now neck and neck with Dubai National School Al Barsha at the top of the standings with 24 points each as they enter the final day of matches next week ahead of qualifying rounds.  Hot on their heals are Al Shafie School, Westminster and Winchester Jebel Ali with 19 points each.

Yesterday’s play of the day demonstrated the power of both tenacity and teamwork. Maintaining focus to the very last minute, the under 12 boys from Dubai National School Al Barsha set the Dubai Sports City field ablaze with forward Abdulla scoring a hat trick and teammate Mahmoud recording 4 goals against Nibras.  With an impressive 33 points, they maintain a 6-point lead ahead of Lycée Francais International George Pompidou. Al Shafie School follows close behind with 24 points.

“I am so proud of our athletes who are playing better and better each week. As a coach I couldn’t ask for a more dedicated and talented group of young footballers.  Both our U12 and U15 boys are so excited to come out every week to play their favorite game. What is wonderful to see is that the boys are also appreciating that there’s so much more to football than scoring the goals, which can be clearly seen in the way they are playing as a team, communicating with each other and moving around the field. Everyone plays a vital in the team’s success,” said Coach Mohamad Saqr, Dubai National School Al Barsha.

On the Fait Maison pitch, the Girls U13 game of the day was played between Dubai Arab American School and the Indian High School. Cheered on by crowds of passionate supporters, the girls pulled out all the stops and brought their best game to the pitch. It was a close match and both teams were motivated to give it their all.  Dubai Arab American, though shut it down with a solid 2-0 win.

In the U16 girls group the girls from Lycée Francais International George Pompidou and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein teams played a suspense filled match with the Lycee coming away with a 4-0 placing them in first in this group with 24 points.

With only one day left to go ahead of qualifying rounds, week 6 at the Dubai Schools Football Cup promises to be full of energy with guaranteed displays of great talent from all teams.

Players have their eyes set on the big prize, a trip of a lifetime to Old Trafford, UK to participate in a football clinic at the iconic stadium and watch Manchester United play, courtesy of Chevrolet and Emirates NBD. Coaches, however have their eyes clearly on the ball, putting in extra practice sessions and training their players to bring their best to the pitch.