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Sunday 23rd
March presented as Grand slam Sunday as the top 4 in the English
premiership met. Asianos on the other hand renewed rivalries
with LMCC and some Asianos and LMCC players may have mistook
this for Royal rumble Sunday as several altercations took place
during the course of the game.
The game
was played at Low hall in freezing conditions. So cold, that
even the well furred Iddy complained that he was feeling cold.
Asianos had few experienced players, namely Chanawala and
Speedy, missing (both rested). However the team fielded by
Manager Booma was the youngest team fielded by Asianos for a
number of years as only two players, the deadly Sid (26) and
tough tackling Amir (27), were above the age of 25.
The first
half however turned out to be a subdued affair with clear cut
chances at a premium. Asianos played some good football in
patches but too often the game was disrupted by needless fouls
by both sets of players and bickering and moaning at the
referee. The disruption of the game seemed to take its toll on
Asianos as often the killer pass was missing in the final third.
The only real chance of the half fell to Sid after some good
play by Zubair Haleem. Zubair picked the ball up from the middle
of the park and chipped the ball in to the box for Pupz. Pup’z
holding the ball up for a few seconds and then laying the ball
back for the on rushing Sid, whose shot was hit well enough but
took a sight deflection that saw the ball just miss the post.
The resulting corner was headed by Iddy but was comfortably
saved by LMCC keeper Adris.
LMCC also
played some good football at times but they, like Asianos,
disappointed in the final third, although Asianos seemed like
they were in the festive mood by passing the ball to the LMCC
strikers at time. The only thing missing with those passes was
chocolate easter eggs, often handed out at this time of year.
Having said that Zaf was seen munching one before the game,
clearly that was given to him by an Asianos defender.
The only
other shots worth mentioning are Cheeko’s, and Sahir’s tame
efforts both that did not get close to the target. Although
Cheekos shot would have been brilliant had that been a clearance
at the other end of the pitch, one that Anja should try
practicing from time to time.
The second
half finally came much to T’s relief as he had almost nodded of
during the first. Luckily the freezing temperature had kept him
awake especially with Iddy on the prowl looking to nick yet
someone else’s gloves.
Anjum was
involved in the first attack of the second half. A mazy run into
the box with a chip to the back post almost resulted in a goal
but LMCC keeper Adris managed to get his hand on to it to and
play from there broke down resulting in a goal kick for LMCC.
Asianos
exerted more pressure with the lively Titch, Sahir and Zubair
getting more involved in the game, that’s until an LMCC player
in attempt to get the ball kicked Sahir in to mid air; a kind of
kick that an American footballer would have been proud of. Sahir
finally managed to get up after staying on the ground like he
had been shot. In fact Sylvester Stallone should consider him
for his next Rambo movie with a performance like that.
A couple of
Zubair free kicks, and one from Sid almost broke the deadlock,
but the game was still evenly poised at 0-0. Manager Booma
decided to bring on Super Sub Zaf, to replace Pup’z, who had
constantly won free kicks during the course of the game. LMCC
manager explaining after the game that they were unsure of how
to play against Pup’z, as the only recent game footage of him
was ….well eating hula hoops on the side line and shouting
abuse.
The goals
soon started to fly in. First LMCC scored after a mistake by the
Asianos keeper Bilal whom assumed Cheeko was through on goal
from his own area with a through ball that any midfielder would
be proud off, but to cheeko’s dismay the ball ended up in the
back off the net after a good finish by LMCC’s riz. Asianos
heads were down but then Asianos struck back 10mins later by the
inspiring Sahir with a rocket from outside the box which left
the ever stranded Idris not doing much but adjusting his goggles
and seeing the ball come off the post and into the back off the
net. Sahir just walked of without celebrating, Zaf explaining
later that Sahir had used up his only goal celebration in the
previous match and well didn’t expect to score until 2009, so
was unprepared for that moment.
LMCC made
it 2-1 shortly after with a mix up the Asianos defenders that
left the unorthodox Hamza for LMCC with a tap in at near post,
but the classy Zubair levelled again turning in the box and
hitting the ball into the bottom corner, a very Ruud Van
Nistelroy type of goal, indeed a well class zoob finish 2-2.
LMCC scored again after a mix up in the Asianos defence with
berkan through for the opposition. This was uncustomary of
Asianos and Coach Azhar was not pleased with this result. The
words “You Dungars” was heard from the sidelines on several
occasions.
Asianos
levelled to make it 3-3 when the Sid volleyed in after a well
worked move down the left hand side involving Chewy and Titch,
Sid once again finding his shooting boots and calmly slotting
the ball into the net.
Zubair
completed the scoring with a free kick that crept in after LMMC
keeper Adris had made a meal of stopping it. Adris is a fine
keeper but made his customary howler to ensure the victory went
to the home side, he later appealed to the league board
complaining his specs were steamy and arrangements should have
been made to restrict such an awful howler.
Asianos
remain undefeated and having already secured the championship it
is now in their hands to keep this record going until the end of
the season. However one can question Asianos players attitudes
and their relaxed approach to games. Ability may have won this
game but if Asianos are to play at a higher level then
mentality; determination and hard work will also be required.
Match Report
Imran Siddique 24/03/2008
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