Sun, Oct 27, 2024 | Rabi al-Thani 23, 1446 | DXB ktweather icon0°C

Seasoned Desert Rangers win all-UAE title

Top Stories

Hot or cold, the weather and playing conditions are no issues for the seasoned and tough brigade called the Desert Rangers.

Published: Fri 8 May 2015, 12:59 AM

Updated: Wed 25 Sep 2024, 3:16 PM

  • By
  • Moni Mathews - Principal Correspondent

Dubai — The sports season has virtually come to an end as the desert winds have started to blow across the land, signaling the beginning of the hottest months this year.

Desert Rangers celebrate their success at the Kellogg’s Cup 2015 championship. — Supplied photo


Hot or cold, the weather and playing conditions are no issues for the seasoned and tough brigade called the Desert Rangers. The age group club outfit have been busy as ever, their latest conquest on the soccer pitch being the all-UAE Kellogg’s Cup which they jointly organised with the Dubai Sports City and Spanish Soccer Schools.

This was a national level championship for the under 12 category, a division where the Rangers have dominated in most of the competitions here in the UAE and also a couple of developmental soccer tournaments in Britain.


Desert Rangers Seniors won the coveted trophy beating Tigers Soccer Academy in the title round with Al Jazira Football Club Abu Dhabi finishing as the Plate winners. GC United claimed the silver medal in the Plate championship. The Most Valuable Player award in the main event went to Ahmed of the Tigers Soccer Academy and the Golden Glove prize was presented to Desert Rangers’ Alessandro Testa.

“It was a fantastic display of top class football in age group classification by talented youths from across the UAE,” said parents and officials at the event.

“I am really glad to play with the Desert Rangers and was very excited when we won the Kellogg’s Cup trophy. We played against some very good teams yet only conceded one goal in the whole tournament which was extremely impressive,” Desert Rangers seniors skipper Aidan Pinto told Khaleej Times.

“Our team has some amazing players and our coach is simply the best, and hopefully we can win more in the future,” Aidan, who is an 11-year-old Grade 6 pupil of the GEMS Royal Dubai School in Mirdiff, added, “It was a privilege to be competing against the nation’s best players in our age grade.”

“It was also a very tough competition and with 16 teams taking part I wasn’t sure how well the Desert Rangers would do. However, thanks to our amazing team work and efforts all day we were able to emerge as cup champions,” Aidan continued. “It was truly an amazing day and the experience we gained from the fixtures was a new feeling altogether.”

Sixteen sides from 12 well known clubs and training centres - Al Jazeera FC, Abu Dhabi; Al Nasr FC, Dubai; Athletic Club, Fujairah; Espanyol Football Academy, Ajman; United Sport Academy, Al Ain; Talent Football Academy, Dubai; Sport 4 All Academy, Dubai; Al Ain Falcons, Al Ain; Manchester City Soccer School, Abu Dhabi; The Tigers Soccer Academy Sharjah; Spanish Soccer School; Desert Rangers Seniors, Dubai; Desert Rangers Juniors, Dubai; LFC Fins; GC United; and Go Pro Sports – took part in the all-UAE tournament.

moni@khaleejtimes.com



Next Story