VICTORIOUS edged out Batelco Gunners United 5-3 in a penalty shootout after full-time and extra-time ended 2-2 to claim the title in the Nasser 9 Ramadan Football Tournament at Shaikh Khalifa Sports City Football Stadium in Isa Town.
Victorious took the lead after 16 minutes through Rashed Jamal but Brazil’s Diego equalised for the Gunners in the 38th minute.
The Gunners piled on the pressure in the second-half and went ahead through Hassan Abdelredha’s 50th minute strike.
But substitute Abdulla Al Malky got Victorious back on level terms in the 80th minute to see the match go into extra-time followed by penalty shoot-outs.
Representative of His Majesty for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, chairman of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and president of Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa deputised the son of the Crown Prince, Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to crown Victorious champions.
Shaikh Mohammed also rewarded the runner-up as well as the referees of the match.
Shaikh Mohammed congratulated the winners on their achievement and expressed his delight at the performances they showcased during the final game.
On his behalf, Shaikh Nasser hailed the tremendous success of the tournament, attributing it to the collective and professional work of the members of various committees.
Shaikh Nasser congratulated Victorious on bagging the title and praised the team’s extraordinary performance. He also wished good luck to second-placed Batelco Gunner United.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa also crowned the winners of the athletics competition which was held as part of the second Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Games “Nasser 9”.
Ammar Khalifa stormed to victory in the 100m race and he was followed by Mohammed Abdulrahman in second place.
Ceremony
Zainab Abdulhussain and Areca finished first and second respectively in the girls’ 80m race, followed by Rawan Ahmed in third.
The closing ceremony of the second Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Games “Nasser 9” will be hosted at Sofitel Hotel today.
The closing ceremony will be hosted by MBC’s renowned anchor Sara Abdulaziz who will be joined by media personnel Feras Al Fahadi.
Former Kuwaiti international player Bashar Abdullah will attend the event as guest of honour while Tawfeeq Anwar will display his football skills.
Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will honour representatives of ministries and civil organisations who played a role in organising the event.
The tournament’s sponsors will also receive appreciation gifts along with head of the organising committee Tawfeeq Salehi and president of the advisory committee Abdulrahman Askar.