TEAMS of young footballers in Bahrain played for glory and a good cause as Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain hosted its annual open Charity Cup competition for players born between 2002 and 2004.
Donations and entry fees totalling BD287 went to Save the Children, Arsenal FC’s chosen charity of the year. Saturday’s five-a-side tournament – with squads of eight players – was played to Futsal rules.
Two groups of four teams each competed in a league format with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals.
The final was contested by Team Mercurial and the Rainbow Gunners, who took an early lead.
However, Mercurial replied with four strikes in quick succession. This didn’t knock the determined Gunners as they pulled one back to make it 4-2 with five minutes still to play. But, the Mercurial’s held on to take the cup.
The winners’ team was made up of Ahmed Al Khalifa, Mohammed Al Khalifa, Hamad Al Khalifa, Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Adam Abdul Karim and Julio, while the Gunners included Stan Szecowka, Luke Williamson, Harry Cooke, Bryce Pope, Daniel Thornley, Levente Nyikos, Kareem Bagaeen and Faris Al Khalo.