Fast-paced action was the name of the game in the group stages of the first-ever Emirates Islamic National School League Football Under-12 competition.
A total of 20 regional schools competed across four groups on Saturday at the Koora Dome, with the top two in each qualifying for next weekend’s finals.
The standout teams on the day were Dubai English Speaking School (DESS), Dubai International Academy (DIA) and The Millennium School, who all won all four of their matches, along with fellow unbeaten side GEMS Our Own Indian School.
DESS and DIA particularly stood out from the rest of the competition, their high-octane attacks putting them on a potential collision course when the remaining eight teams return to the pitch this coming Saturday.
If his red-hot form is any indication, Adria Anglada could make DIA the team to beat after the blond bomber scored nine of his side’s 17 goals, including at least two in every match en route to earning three man of the match awards. Anglada’s hat-trick against Mayoor Private School powered DIA to its most lopsided victory of the day, a 7-0 explosion that showed their potential.
“I think we did very well,” Anglada said. “We all worked together hard and we’ve been practicing for this tournament. We’ve never played five-aside and I think we’ve done very well.
“We were passing quickly and our shots were very clinical.”
With DESS and other contenders looming, Anglada knows the task is far from completed and added: “The finals will be our toughest matches and we’re going to try to work as hard as we can. We’re going to also use their weaknesses for us to win.”
If DIA are threatening, then DESS’ prowess is lethal. The Dubai school topped all teams with 24 goals, all while keeping a clean sheet in each of their four comfortable victories.
Coach Paul Barratt said: “One of the key words we worked on today was ‘transition’. As soon as they won the ball back, they wanted to attack quickly.
“Vice versa as well, as soon as they lost the ball, it was really about getting back in the defensive shape. They implemented it well.”
Such is the strength of DESS’ depth that they had six different players score in the group stages, with contributions coming across the board.
“The last game was quite funny,” said Barratt.
“They all wanted to score because they know a voucher was on offer.”
The remaining eight teams will battle it out for the inaugural title at The Sevens on Saturday, followed by the Under-14 and Under-16 age groups crowning their champions.
