@DubaiSchoolsFC Dubai Schools Football Cup Enters Knockout Stage

Dubai Schools Football Cup Enters Knockout Stage

Record number of undefeated teams lead strong line up of boys and girls teams

With the completion of the 6^th round of matches, the Dubai Schools Football Cup enters the knock out stages on Saturday 23^rd February.

Favourites emerge in each group going into the Round of 16. On the boys teams, in the U12 group, Dubai National School (Al Barsha) tops the group with 33 points, having won all 11 matches played.  In the U15 group, the undefeated young men from the Sabis-Choueifat gained an amazing 30 points after playing and winning 10 matches over the past 6 weeks.

“We have played some very competitive matches.  Ending the first round at the top of the U15 boys groups is a merit to the effort of the students and they have done a great job so far.  We are very much aware that there are some strong teams coming our way in the next round.  This keeps us motivated and on our toes for our future matches,” said Coach Edward Fenics from Sabis-Choueifat.

The atmosphere of competitive camaraderie witnessed both on and off the pitch has been inspirational.  Not only have the students from across schools in Dubai had the opportunity to play their favourite sport every Saturday, but also the opportunity to interact and learn from each other.

“I love football and this tournament has been great. I look forward to Saturdays and think our team stands a great chance of winning the amazing trip to Manchester.  This weekend I entered and won the DSFC 24-hour facebook challenge and got to meet the entire Manchester United team.  When I saw the players coming in, I couldn’t believe it. I have been waiting for this moment all my life. I can’t wait for the next round to begin,” said Ayman El Fatih winner of the challenge organized by DSFC on their face book page who is a player from Dubai International School Al Quoz.

The girls groups continue their round of matches next week and will go straight into semi-finals and finals in the last week of the tournament.  The young girls from St. Mary’s Catholic High School remain undefeated in the U13 group as do the young ladies from Lycee Francais International George Pompidou.

Some star players on the girls’ side have emerged, engaging in a strong display of great tactics and skill consistently week after week.

Speaking after her match against Dubai Arab American School, Lorelei Tetaut, U16 Lycee Francais International George Pompidou, who scored 3 goals yesterday, said "I am so proud to have been able to score 15 goals already in the tournament, but I couldn't have done any of it without the whole team. I credit our track record to all the great passes and the excellent coaching our team receives. We're all friends and we communicate really well. It’s very exciting to be a part of the Dubai Schools Football Cup."

Next week the boys will pull out all the stops to make it through the knock out stages to the quarter finals on their way to final week of semi-finals and finals.