They say football is just a game but those who play it know better, just ask the Al Yasmina School and Abu Dhabi Indian School teams. There was little to play for in the Emirates Islamic NSL Football Under-14 Abu Dhabi and Al Ain section on Saturday, but you would have thought otherwise watching the clash between the league’s top two teams.
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Both sides had cemented their place in the knockout stages the previous week having been head and shoulders above the opposition throughout, but the duo have been in imperious form during the NSL group stages and wanted to keep their hard-earned 100 per cent records intact.
In the end, only one could and it was ADIS who finished with seven wins from seven, a tense and physical game settled by Bilal Shamsuddeen’s early second half strike. ADIS forward Mohammed Shaik said the match still meant a lot to both teams.
“It was important because it shows that we have class. If you finished the whole league unbeaten, you’re the best team,” he said. “We think we deserve to finish ahead of Al Yasmina but they were competitive and they have good defenders, they’re a very good team. It was fun to play such a competitive game.
“They resorted to long ball and we dealt with it well. We were calm and composed. That’s always how ADIS play.”
ADIS had drawn first blood through talisman Hadhi Bashir, whose shot from a Zayed Palat’s corner had deflected in off Yasmina defender Basil Subhani.
Yasmina responded through a quite brilliant Aidan Ball strike who lashed home after he had been put through by Kaiden Allen, but that was a rare glimpse of the stylish football that has taken Yasmina through to the quarter-finals. Aside from that, they resorted to long balls and after man-of-the-match Shamsuddeen’s strike, ADIS’ goal was rarely threatened.
“You could tell from the match today that both teams wanted to win,” said ADIS coach Dr SB Dey. “They had both qualified but it was clear both wanted to keep their unbeaten records going and finish top of the table. I thought our boys showed great desire and temperament in the match.”
Al Yasmina captain Tom Craig admitted the players were despondent after suffering a maiden defeat but he is relishing a meeting with ADIS in the latter stages.
“It showed how much we wanted to win, to keep the unbeaten record going and get that top spot,” he said. “We lost our heads at the end. We didn’t have full concentration during the game, but, we’re into the knockout rounds so there’s lots to look forward to and more to come from us.
“Hopefully, we’ll see them again and I think both teams know we might meet each other again in Dubai soon.”
Al Yasmina U-16’s will also be playing at the business end of the tournament after a 1-1 draw with rivals Al Bateen Secondary School saw them take runners-up spot in a tight Abu Dhabi and Al Ain pool. Ahaad Al Hosani’s goal in reply to Kamil Sidahmed’s strike for Al Bateen saw James Turner’s side finish a point above ADIS.
“It’s great for the boys but also the coaches and the parents for giving up their time on the weekends,” said Turner. “Everyone’s been involved so it’s all been worth it.”
New Indian Model School Al Ain confirmed a first place finish ahead of Yasmina as well as their place in the U-16 quarter finals with a surprisingly convincing 9-1 win against The Cambridge School, who had also been vying for a place in the last eight on the final day.
Osama Baloushi netted a hattrick as Ameer Ali’s side finished top of the tree.
“Really we are very happy to be playing in the quarter-finals of the NSL,” said Ali. “It is a great achievement to win the match but our earnest aim is nothing but to win the title. Mentally and physically we are prepared.”
