February 06, 2008	Wednesday	Muharram 27, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 5: Two-goal Saddam Hussain helped Sindh to retain the title of the seventh National Under-14 Festival of Football by overpowering Karachi Yellows 2-0 in the final at the Ali Rai Nawaz Stadium, Sahiwal, on Tuesday.

It was Sindh’s third victory in the event.

Spearhead Saddam, who had not scored any goal in the championship, finally excelled in the final and stole the limelight.

Sindh dominated the final and struck one goal in each session.

They were off to a brilliant start when in the sixth minute midfielders Mohammad Umar and Abdul Basit created the opening for Saddam to beat goalie Ehsanullah with right footed drive from the edge of the area as Sindh led the first half 1-0.

Sindh doubled the lead in the 10th minute of the second session when winger Fida Hussain eluded keeper Ehsan with nice placement and Saddam, player of Pak Muhammadan in Orangi Town Karachi, was on hand to fire a right-footed shot into the left corner.

The winners received a cash prize of Rs50,000. Karachi Yellows and Faisalabad Greens were honoured with cash prizes of Rs30,000 and Rs20,000 for the second and third positions.

Afghan Club’s striker Mohammad Hanif with eight goals was announced the top scorer of the event and earned Rs5,000.

Faisalabad Green’s international midfielder Mohammad Sajid and Yellow’s Ehsan were voted as best player and best keeper respectively and pocketed Rs5,000 each.

Northern Areas received Fair Play Trophy.