Kuwait: Academy outfit FC Everton emerged Champions of the IInd Edition McDonalds 7 a-side Open Football Tournament held at Nadi Salmiya, recently.
In a dazzling show of aggressive and passing football, FC Everton beat McDonald Big Mac Stars 1-0 in the final.
FC Everton comprised of Harry Franc, Mahmoud Zaki, Khaled Omar, Abdulrahman, Ahmad Tamour, Dylan Hooper, Tom Holgate, Yousef Gharib, Paul and Ali. They stormed into the final beating Rising Stars in the semis and FC Navelim in the quarters.
McDonald Big Mac Stars led by Salman Mhaslai beat FC Al Shabab in the semis. The Runners-up comprised of Alidio, Salman (captain), Agnelo, Liston, Godfrey Aguiar, Allwyn, Omar, Asif and Joseph Ferns.
Jalil Kazi was chief guest on the occasion. Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Jalil congratulated the winners and applauded the organizers for a grand tournament that brought players of different nationalities together. Chief Coordinator Salman Mhaslai thanked the sponsors McDonald, participating teams, spectators and his organizing team for the successful tournament.
Jalil presented the Winners Trophy while the runners-up trophy was given away at the hands of Faisal Kazi. Other prizes and gifts were presented by Asad Hasware, Majeed Chowgule, Salman Mhaslai, etc.
Apart from trophies, the winners and runners-up were awarded cash prizes and glittering individual medallions.
The two-day tournament played on a league basis was sponsored by McDonalds. Teams that took part in the tournament included Rising Stars, FC Mishref, SBA, FC Al-Shabab, FC Everton, CFC Salmiya, Metropolis, McDonalds, Malappuram Brothers, Kerala Challengers, Factions, Xavierina Boys, Young Shooters Abbasiya, FC Big Boys, McDonalds Big Mac Stars, FC Navelim.
All matches were officiated by John Furtado, Victor Andrade, Manuel Dias and Agnelo D’Cunha. Gasper Crasto compered the entire tournament.
Following prizes were awarded:
Best goalkeeper of the Tournament – Abhilash (Metropolis)
Most Promising Team – FC Al Shabab
Player of the tournament – Joseph Fernandes (McDonalds Big Mac Stars)
In an exciting exhibition match on the final day Veteran Superstars beat Salmiya Stars 1-0. Well-known star footballer Ejaj Akbar scored the match-winner off a 35-yard free kick. For the Veterans, Abid Thakoor in the first half and Majeed Chowgule in the second, played excellent game along with goalkeeper Mateen Kazi to fend off the young guns. Nader Mukadam, Danish, Haroon Khan, Sherry, and captain Nawaf played their hearts out for Salmiya Stars.
Vet Superstars were captained by Fayaz Kazi while Nawaf Inamdar captained the losers.
Veteran Superstars: Hussain, Hisham, Abid Thakur, Majeed, Ejaj Akbar, Juzer, Asad Hasware, Gasper Crasto, Munna, Aiman, Hashim, Mustafa, Adil Fahmy, Farooq, Yawar, Fayaz Kazi (captain), Ahmed Inamdar, Mahmoud, etc.
Salmiya Stars: Ahmed, Awab, Danish, Haroon Khan, Habib, Ibrahim, Ihab, Mateen Kazi, Munzir, Nader Mukadam, Nawaf Inamdar (captain), Saif, Sameer Chowgule, Salman Mhaslai, Sherry, Asif Khateeb.
Winners of the exhibition match were presented with a glittering trophy. Special gifts were also presented to the organizing volunteers that included Nader Mukadam, Mateen Kazi, Aamer Bob, Nawaf Inamdar, Aamna Arif, Sameer, Yatan, Hamoudi, Luqman, Asif, Saud, Lui, Habib, etc.