Al Fakhar storms into the semi-finals

Defending champions Al Fakhar stormed into the semi-finals of the Sixth Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Football Championship. Al Fakhar registered a resounding 4-1 victory over title contenders Forever to set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with 2010 champions Al Nawayef tonight. Today’s game will be the first of a double-legged playoff and is scheduled to tip off at 8.30pm at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town. Both sides will meet against on Thursday in the second and last leg to decide the team reaching the final on Sunday. It was a well-battled quarter-final encounter between Al Fakhar and Forever for the fourth and last ticket in the competition’s final four. But Al Fakhar, who had won all their three matches in the group stages, were again at peak form as they controlled the midfield and managed to take an early lead through Abdulla Humaidan’s 19th-minute strike. Forever, captained by Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, showed composure in their bid to level the scores before half-time. However, it was Al Fakhar who doubled their advantage in the 31st minute through striker Ali Ahmed Habib, capitalizing on a loose ball inside the penalty area. Despite going down 0-2, Forever continued to play with high spirit and confidence and were able to pull a goal back in the 52nd minute through Ali Mohammed. And while Forever were pressing forward searching for an equalizer, two late goals from substitute striker Hussain Kazerooni and Mahdi Humaidan put an end to Shaikh Khalid team’s title hopes as they were sent out of the competition. Nomas and Al Zelzal were the other two teams reaching the semi-finals. Al Zelzal, runners-up in last year’s tournament, and Nomas will face off tonight in the first leg of the semi-finals at 6.15pm at Khalifa Sports City Stadium. Two-time tournament winners Al Zelzal made it to the final four after a well-deserved 3-1 victory over the Companies Team last Saturday, while Nomas upset 2009 champions Victorious 5-4 on penalties. The second semi-final match is tomorrow at 6.15pm at Khalifa Sports City Stadium. The organising committee meanwhile, has completed all arrangements ahead of today's semi-finals. Secretary Committee head Khalifa Al Sheroogi has approved the results of the first round and quarter-finals. Al Sheroogi said the committee has provided all that is needed for the media. He noting the huge support the tournament has received from Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Al Sheroogi emphasized the significant of this event continuity as it represents an opportunity for young Bahraini footballers to explore their skills and play for big clubs in the near future. Meanwhile, Al Noor International School presented its sponsorship for the tournament as they joined other supporting parties. School chairman Ali Hassan, who presented the sponsorship to Executive Committee head Tawfeeq Al Salehi, was all praise for the championship which has achieved tremendous success over the past years. Source BNA