The girls and boys senior football teams from British School of Al Khubairat (BSAK) and Brighton College (BCAD) went toe to toe in the annual Varsity match at Zayed Sports City stadium this week, in front of a passionate 500 strong crowd, in what were the final matches of the Abu Dhabi International School Sports Association (ADISSA) football season.
Both schools fielded a girls and a boys team, with the overall winners decided on the aggregate score of both matches. The girls were up first and the opening goal of the match had a familiar feel to it. BSAK ace Grace Freeman, who opened the scoring in the same fixture last season, latched on to a loose ball and unleashed a powerful strike from 8 yards past the BCAD goalkeeper. BCAD continued to press high after going a goal down but were soon 2-0 down when Caitlin Haines showed great composure to blast home a penalty on the stroke of half time. BSAK held on to their lead in the second half despie a courageous second half performance from BCAD to make the final score 2-0.
In the boys match, a scrappy goal from Charlie Smith and a Jake Milton strike were enough to give BSAK the double over their familiar foes.
Rob Kirkland, Head of Football at BSAK, was thrilled to retain the title, and said: "I thought both matches were contested well from the opening minute. Both matches were tight affairs and credit must go to BCAD – at no point did they allow us to dictate the play. Over the course of both matches I felt that we created more chances and deserved the 2 victories, however great credit must go to BCAD for participating fiercely throughout. I've been happy with both the boys and girls application and performances this seaon – there is no better way to round off the season than a match against BCAD at the national stadium, it's some spectacle for everyone involved!"
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