Maradona up for Municipality challenge
Diego Maradona is a likely inclusion in the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) squad as they attempt to book their place in the next stage of the Over-38 football competition when they take on defending champions Dubai Municipality at the Dubai Police Officers Club on Thursday.
Launched by the DSC, the '7 Up Dubai Government Entities Football League' will now enter the knockout stages after this week’s last round of preliminary group matches.
Maradona was crucial in DSC’s narrow 3-2 win over Dubai Courts last week with the Argentine legend scoring two and setting up one goal for the hosts.
Only a win against defending champions Dubai Municipality will suffice for the DSC team in Thursday’s encounter.
In other matches, the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs will face His Highness The Ruler’s Court, Dubai Health Authority will take on Dubai Police while Dubai Airports Corporation will cross swords with Civil Defence Department to decide the other teams to advance to the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, in the last round matches of the U-37 competition, the Directorate General for Residency and Foreigners Affairs defeated Dubai Media 2-1, Dubai Free Zone overcame Dubai Airports Corporations 3-2 and DEWA had to resort to the tie-breaker to beat Dubai Municipality 3-2 and the Dubai Crown Prince’s Office defeated Dubai Courts 7-6 on sudden death while Dubai Police blanked Fly Emirates 13-0.
In other matches, the Dubai Health Authority overcame Dubai Sports Council 4-2, Civil Defence Department defeated RTA 4-2 and Public Prosecution got the better of Dubai Customs 3-2 in the shoot-out.
The quarter-finals of the U-37 competition is scheduled for Saturday (March 30) with Public Prosecution playing Dubai Crown Prince’s Office, Civil Defence Department taking on DEWA, Dubai Health Authority facing Dubai Free Zone and defending champions Dubai Police taking on General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
The Championship is being organised by the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Refreshments Company with massive participation of governmental and semi-government corporations, representing 41 teams categorised into two separate age groups.
Several corporates including sponsors Dubai Refreshments Company and Bosch have been supporting this annual tournament with raffle draws for prizes including smart mobiles and plasma televisions.
Additionally there are gift vouchers from Wild Wadi, Rotana Hotel, Atlantis Hotel, Dusit Thani Dubai, Meydan Hotel, Plaza Hotel, Ramada Plaza, Hallab Restaurant and Sweets and Dar Al Qamar Restaurant.
Special areas have been allocated for children with games and various kids’ activities every Saturday with one lucky winner walking away with a Chevrolet car on the final day.