#NSL360: Millennium School Dubai U16s and U14s unbeaten

Matt Jones - Editor 08:06 12/11/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Fine form: Afsal Ibrahim’s sides have been dedicating themselves to training.

    The Millennium School Dubai have grand ambitions of doing the double by winning both the Under-16 and Under-14 titles in the inaugural season of the Emirates Islamic National School League (NSL Football).

    Both of Afsal Ibrahim’s sides look in good shape to do that too, with both teams unbeaten at the midway point of the group stages.

    As if there results weren’t impressive enough, how about the fact that both teams have been training five mornings a week between 06:00 and 07:30 before school? Now that is dedication.

    – #NSL360: Lycee Francais International show their class
    – SHARE, RATE, WIN: Sport360 ValoraFutbol

    – Follow: Live footballs scores around the world

    “It’s my dream to make it a double and win both tournaments,” Ibrahim said. “We are doing very well, the U-16s have won all their games, so to win the double would be fantastic.”

    TMS lead the way in the U-16s Dubai Pool 1 with 12 points, scoring 13 and conceding just two goals in four games, while the U-14s also top Dubai Pool 2 in their age group, the only side yet to lose a game. And, so far, they are reaping the rewards of a punishing training schedule.

    “Every morning from Sunday and Thursday the boys are training between 06:00 and 07:30,” added Ibrahim. 

    “They are very dedicated, both the players and parents, who get up to drive them to practice. We also have the full support of the school, who have been the backbone to our success.

    “I’m a good coach but we wouldn’t be doing so well if it was not for the support of the school and parents.”

    Also sitting pretty with four wins from four are Victoria International School Sharjah U-16’s, who are six points ahead of their nearest rivals.

    Head coach Cihan Karahan has been impressed by his team so far, but knows things could change in the knockout stages.

    “We’re hoping for first place in the league then hopefully we can play finals football, where anything can happen,” he said.

    “The competition is tougher than what we were expecting and that’s just in our Sharjah and Northern Emirates section. We’re expecting some big challenges from the Dubai and Abu Dhabi teams if we qualify.”

    VISS enjoyed success during the NSL Basketball season and Karahan is aiming for more off the court and on the field.

    “We’re targeting success. It would be amazing to win this inaugural tournament. We had NSL Basketball success so it would be amazing to repeat that in the football too,” he added.

    Over in Abu Dhabi, The Cambridge High School have certainly grown into the U-16s competition.

    Olaf Gomez’s team lost their opening two games but have bounced back impressively to win four games in a row, including notable back-to-back victories in the last two weeks where they have inflicted maiden defeats on Abu Dhabi Indian School and Al Yasmina School.

    “We are winning all the big matches,” said Gomez.

    “The boys are working hard, staying back after school and practicing and all the hard work is paying off. 

    “We missed a few players earlier in the competition but they’re all back now and it’s getting better.

    “One step at a time and let’s see. Whoever is next let’s enjoy it again.”

    Recommended