Modern Heros coach Shafiq Ahmed has warned his players there’s no room for mistakes if they want to retain their Under-13 title and expects a tough quarter-final against Our Own Zenith in the Sport360 ADIB NSL.
After a seven-week hiatus following the group stage, the competition resumes tomorrow with all quarter-finalists in action at The Sevens in Dubai. Heros sent out an early statement in the pools, ending with a perfect record of five straight victories.
They will be hoping to maintain that streak against Our Own Zenith but the Sharjah outfit will provide a stern test, having lost just once in their group. With Our Own Zenith boasting the competition’s top-run scorer in Shoun Roger (206 runs) as well as Mohammad Mujtaba, who has taken 12 wickets, Ahmed knows it will be no easy task for his side.
“It’s a crucial match for the two teams,” he said. “Both teams have been really good in the group stages and it’s going to be a tough game. For my players to succeed, they must not make any errors whether it’s silly batting shots or missing dropped catches because Our Zenith will punish us.”
Ahmed, who can call on centurion Ronak Panoly, insists previous form will have no bearing.
“We can take confidence from the group games but now we are in the knockouts, it’s a different ball game and every game is tough from now on. The boys have to be focused.”
Meanwhile, it’s a Dubai derby as GOOIS meet DPS Falcons. Both sides had an identical record with four victories out of five in the groups and GOOIS coach Suraj Bhuvanendran said: “They are an outstanding team and enjoyed a strong group campaign.
“They will certainly provide a test for my boys but I’ve been pleased with my team’s spirit especially after losing the first game and I think that could be the key.”
His opposite number, Prosanta Chanda, added: “I haven’t seen them play before but I know they will be a hard team to beat. The players have been training hard this week and are in a confident mood.”
Dubai’s IHS Knights face in-form Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS) and Knights coach Ajit Singh is fully aware of the task ahead.
“We know they won all their games so that shows they will be a dangerous side,” he said. “I’ve been pleased with how the players have performed in training and am confident we can win.”
DPS Sharjah, who’ve won all their games, take on Abu Dhabi’s Bright Riders in the other quarter-final.
