Al Zaeem secured the last qualifying ticket from Group 1 for the next stage after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al Zilzal in the Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Football Ramadan Tournament ‘Nasser 11’.
Al Zilzal opened scoring in the first half thanks to Talal Mashaan. Al Zaeem turned the tables on Al Zilzal in the second half, levelling the score in the 53rd minute through Sayyed Mahdi Mohammed who struck from the spot. Substitute Hussain Ali gave Al Zaeem the lead with only four minutes remaining. Victorious and Al Zaeem were on seven points each. However, the former are on top of the group because of better goal difference.
Speaking after the game, Al Zaeem player Sayed Mahdi Mohammed said that his team didn’t play up to their level, but still managed to secure full points. “We entered the game without pressure because our qualification was already secured. Our players didn’t want to get injured or be booked. Thus, they didn’t give their all in the match,” he said.
The qualifying teams from Group 3 for the quarterfinals of the Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Ramadan Football Tournament will be decided tonight when Forever play Al Qala’ah at 9pm at Khalifa Sports City. In the second match of the group, Al Saqr Al Abyadh will play Suqoor Al Bahrain at 11pm.
Meanwhile, Batelco announced its sponsorship of the Gunners United team participating in Nasser 11.
“The various sporting events being held in the kingdom provide an ideal platform for different segments of the community to congregate. We are very proud to be sponsoring the team, a gesture that stems from Batelco’s eagerness to support local sporting initiatives,” said Batelco chairman Shaikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
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