All Dubai International Academy coach Jo Terry will be asking from his players this weekend is that they give their all and leave it all out on the field.
DIA head into the inaugural Emirates Islamic Under-12 National School League Football finals on Saturday fresh off a commanding performance in the group stages at Dubai’s Koora Dome last weekend.
Terry’s team were statistically the second-best performers on the day, scoring an impressive 17 goals as they won all four of their Pool 4 games against GEMS Modern Academy, Our Own English High School Fujairah, Mayoor Private School and JSS International School.
DIA only conceded once to storm through to Saturday’s finals day where they will face JSS Private School in the quarter-final.
Terry says his team go into every tournament they play chasing the trophy, although he will be satisfied as long as his team give 100 per cent.
“Confidence is high but the boys will need to perform at their best to win,” he said.
“Winning the tournament is of course what we’re going for, it’s our aim in every tournament we enter. If we play as well as we can, and lose, I won’t have any issues, but I know with the ability my boys have the trophy is within our grasp.”
The format of the U-12s tournament is five-aside and although that’s a little different to the full 11-aside games DIA usually play, Terry insists his players always play the right way, which is why he is confident.
He added: “We trained Tuesday, which was a very good session and we’re prepared. We thoroughly enjoyed the tournament last weekend, where the boys linked up well.
“The boys play a lot out of school, however, it’s a little bit different. We’ve played 11-aside in the schools league but the boys are good at playing in tight situations and moving the ball quickly, it’s how we play whenever we play anyway.”
Elsewhere in the draw, Dubai English Speaking College will be another team to watch out for, having secured their last eight berth with a mighty 24 goals scored and none conceded in their four wins in Pool 1.
