Head coach Afsal Ibrahim has described The Millennium School Dubai’s voyage to the Emirates Islamic NSL Football semi-finals as something akin to a family trip.
TMS play Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou on Saturday and have arrived at the last four without losing a game. In order to maintain their unbeaten run, they have their work cut out against another team yet to lose. But Ibrahim says if his side are to go all the way and win the inaugural competition, victory will be thanks to the whole school’s support.
“I must thank the children and their parents because we are having morning coaching sessions at 06:00 every day and the parents drop them in every morning,” said Ibrahim. “Full credit must also go to our principal, Michael Guzder, and our school management who are giving the freedom to the players. The whole school is behind the team. It is like a family.”
TMS thrashed Sharjah’s Brilliant International School 4-1 last Saturday in the only Under- 14’s game to be decided inside 40 minutes while rampant LFI, who won nine consecutive group stage games, emerged 2-0 from a penalty shootout with New Academy School.
Having received their first real test in the competition, coach Fiederic Deswarte feels it will only serve to help his young side.
“It’s never easy to motivate your group,” said Deswarte. “For us it is very good preparation for the semi-finals. We showed a lot of character. The penalty takers said immediately ‘I want to go’, they took responsibility and have a lot of determination.”
LFI goalkeeper Hedi Hbaleb, who was his side’s shootout hero with two saves, is expecting another difficult game.
“We’re happy to be in the last four but we have a big match ahead and it will be difficult,” he said.
In the other semi-final, Abu Dhabi Indian School, who beat Salman Farsi with an extra-time golden goal last week, face Al Salaf Al Saleh Private School, who beat Al Yasmina School 3-2 on penalties.
