Coach Afsal Ibrahim says The Millenium School Dubai U-14 team’s unbeaten status is giving them confidence they can go all the way.
TMS negotiated the group stages of the competition boasting an impressive record of seven wins and one draw, qualifying for the knockout stages in top spot with 23 goals scored and just four conceded.
TMS were one of just six teams throughout the entire 65 taking part in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories to not lose a game during the group phase, and Ibrahim is hoping for that record to continue.
“We are looking forward to reaching and winning the final, we are good enough,” said Ibrahim, whose side meet Sharjah’s Brilliant International School at The Sevens on Saturday in the first game of the knockout stages.
“We didn’t lose a game in the group stages and we want to remain unbeaten. The boys are excited and well prepared and we will fight for this.”
Elsewhere, capital rivals Indian School and Al Yasmina School could set up an all-Abu Dhabi semi-final showdown if they progress through their last eight encounters.
The two were head and shoulders above the competition in the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain pool and remained unbeaten until the last group game when ADIS prevailed with a narrow and feisty 2-1 victory.
ADIS head coach, Dr SB Dey, says he has a “special” group of players who are capable of winning the tournament.
“I have not seen many of the Dubai and Sharjah teams so it will be difficult but I think we have a good team and we have a team good enough to win the competition,” said Dey ahead of his side’s match with Salman Farsi School.
“It’s a special group. They train very hard. Last year we reached the final of the cricket NSL. We lost in the final, hopefully the football team can go one stage further.”
Al Yasmina head coach Adam Hodson, meanwhile, is looking forward to facing Al Salaf Al Saleh Private School, who topped the Sharjah pool with a 100 per cent record.
“I’m hoping for some decent teams so we can test ourselves,” said Hodson.
