MENA U16 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 3

Saudi Schools Select retained the MENA U16 Championship in as dramatic a fashion as they'd won the inaugural trophy, last year. With both sides nip and tuck, and with the score locked at 4-4 at the break, and 8-8 for much of the second half, the visitors' stand-out performer, Farid Abdulwahab, forced his own will on the game - and the tournament. Two successive penalties piggy-backed the white-and-greens down field and as head coach Dave Kinkead screamed for a shot at goal Abdulwahab tapped and charged through Lebanon's exhausted boys to score with under two minutes remaining.

Watched by the Australian ambassador, His Excellency Lex Bartlem OAM, who awarded the victorious Camels the trophy, the Saudis celebrated their gripping win as the devastated Junior Cedars were forced to reflect on what might have been for the second consecutive year.

Omar Marhaba, Lebanon's best over the course of the tournament, opened the scoring on eight minutes, before Saudi co-captain Hassan Zakzouk levelled matters. In the second half the visitors pulled out in front before another of Lebanon's excellent forwards, George Yazbek, equalised.