ARSENAL Soccer School Bahrain's under-12s notched up an impressive competition success after being invited to participate in a national nine-a-side tournament at Al Shabab Club.
Ten teams took part in the tournament - Al Shabab 1 and 2, Al Ahli 1 and 2, Busaiteen, East Riffa, Manama, Ghalali, Muharraq and Arsenal.
The young Gunners were drawn into Group A with Al Shabab 1, Al Ahli 1, Busaiteen and East Riffa. After drawing 0-0 with Al Shabab 1, losing 2-1 to Busaiteen and beating East Riffa 3-0, Arsenal had to win their last game against Al Ahli 1 by more than four goals to qualify in second place for the last four. The team piled on the pressure and came out 6-0 winners to qualify for day two of the tournament.
The four top teams had to compete against each other to lift the cup. Arsenal played Ghalali in the first game and lost 2-0. However, this result did not faze the plucky young team and they went on to beat Busaiteen who they had lost to on day one, 2-0. In their final game against Manama Club they won 3-0 and went on to lift the trophy.
It was a tremendous achievement by the boys, said a spokesman for the Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain. Congratulations go to Tom Fossett (winner of the best goalkeeper award), Hasan Nahle, Karim Kamal, Qosai Awadat, Ali Nabeel, Abdulla Riffai, Eamon Hatoum, Chris Egan, Ali Mattar, Majid Al Yousif, Cody Lancaster, David Hill and coach, Deena Rahman.