A local star emerged during the second round of the inaugural Emirates Islamic National School League Football (NSL Football) as Zahedi Pour Niaei Fardin inspired Salman Farsi School Under-14s’ 17-0 victory against Credence High School on Saturday.
The playmaker was a class apart in Dubai Pool 1 at The Sevens, six goals and one assist showing why he is with Arabian Gulf League-heavyweights Al Ahli.
His team-mates also shone, Reza Mollaei Rodbari getting five with Amirabbas Mohammadi and Yousef Mohammad Kamalian claiming braces.
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“We lost in the first weekend to Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou, but the team changed their whole mentality this time,” coach Mohammad Rahmat Ollah said. “Zahedi is the best player in our school and a name to remember – he was key to everything we did.”
Another attacker to light up the day was Hamza Mehsood for Brilliant International Private School U-14s, striking an incredible six times in the 10-2 triumph against Ryan International School in the Sharjah and Northern Emirates region. The humble player was quick to highlight the help of his colleagues.
He said: “It was all because of my team-mates. They gave me passes.
“I think we can now reach the finals. We have good chances to win matches.”
A much-tighter affair took place in Dubai Pool 2, Wellington International School goalkeeper George Gkogkos coming away with the man-of-the-match prize in an
absorbing goalless draw against Delhi Private School.
The redoubtable debutant was at his best to repeatedly repel lively DPS striker Waleed Mohammed.
“It was a difficult game and we got tired in the second half,” he said. “I am very happy and I want to achieve more cleansheets.”
Another pupil who shone during his NSL bow was St. Mary’s Catholic High School Dubai U-16s centre midfielder Muinde Makau, scoring a hat-trick and notching one assist in a 6-2 win against Al Khaleej National School in Dubai Pool 1.
He said: “I didn’t expect all the goals, I would have been happy with one. My knee has been prety messed up and that’s why I missed the first round.
