MASCARA (Algeria)- Nearly nine months after Algeria’s senior national football team (Desert Warriors) won the Arab title in Doha, Algerian junior team snatched the U17 Arab title Thursday evening in Sig, Mascara, after beating Moroccan opponents in penalty shootout (4-2) following a draw (1-1) in the regular time.
With crowded bleachers at Abdelkrim Kerroum Stadium of Sig, the North-African final kept all its promises. The battle was merciless on a pitch between 22 players, with neither team succeeding in gaining the upper hand throughout the first half.
The Algerian squad opted Thursday for an offensive play unlike in the semi-final against Saudi Arabia.
The national team, who qualified for the final through penalty shootouts both in the quarter and semi finals, were very confident during the final shootout.
The failure of Algerian player Ziad in the very first shot of the kick shootout did not discouraged his teammates, who ended up winning the game.
The trophy ceremony was chaired by the minister of Youth and Sports, Abderrazak Sebgag, in the presence of local officials and the secretary general of the Arab Football Union, Radjaa Allah Eselmi.
Source: ALGERIA PRESS SERVICE
