The H & D Division Two & Combination Challenge Cup Round 1
On a glorious sunny day the match started with both teams playing attacking football. Within minutes our defence were tested by the flow of their attack and caught us by surprise. Hassan and Idrees were a great match to their attacks and showed a good partnership in the defence with Hakim and Sami on either sides. We conceded a foul outside of the box within the first 10minutes from which we conceded the first goal of the game (a wicked free kick – keeper no chance).
Within the next five minutes we regrouped and managed to put pressure in their box every opportunity we got. We conceded another free kick near the corner flag and as soon the ball was delivered in the box there was a lot of the bodies fighting to clear the ball and it fell nicely to one of the striker and he scored the second goal of the game.
Maiwand FC 0 – 2 Harrow FC ( 20 minutes )
It was apparent that we had to fight a bit harder and commit ourselves to the cause. Ustad Nayeem reminded the boys from the touchline to calm down and do what we do in the training. Boys got the message and soon Ramazan got the ball in the midfield area and fed Sajad straight away. Sajad had to do a lot to get closer to the edge of the box where he had a fantastic finish in the corner of the goal. It was a good goal at a very important moment of the game. Soon Ramazan was running the show in the middle of the park with Farddin going in every tackle and winning almost all of it. Majid had a battle on the left side of the pitch and he was the clear winner in everything. From touchline to everyone on the pitch was urging Ramazan to take a shot and soon he had a warning shot on the goal which he missed narrowly but his second shot from nearly the half way line flew like a rocket in the right corner of the goal – keeper attempted to save but in reality he had no chance.
Maiwand FC 2 – 2 Harrow FC ( Half Time )
After a solid team talk boys went in with a positive winning attitude and their efforts were rewards when one of the defenders handled the ball in the box and we got a penalty in the first 10minues of the second half. Ramazan stepped in and had a clinical finish and scored the goal. Everyone was enjoying the game and we were dominating the centre of the park with great footwork from Majid on the left side of the pitch. Rashid was being left out from the score sheet and soon he took his chance from a corner and headed the ball in the net in the crowed area – assisted by Hassan.
Maiwand FC 4 – 2 Harrow FC ( 60 minutes )
As soon as we scored the 4th goal Sajad had a clear chance of scoring and he hit the post and the ball was cleared. Rashid wanted to test the keeper from distance and he hit the post from nearly half way line with keeper standing stationary.
Knowing that we were winning we took our foot of the gas and sat back. They changed their strikers and put new fresh legs which resulted into attacks after attack. Harrow FC captain had a really good game and assisted their third goal from a right hand cross and the striker had a tap in. We sat back and defended which resulted in the 4th goal from their new striker. 15 minutes to go and we let our lead go away in a couple of minutes but our boys showed character and determination by working even harder to push one last time in the last 15 minutes. Our little magician Rashid got the ball from the midfield and he only had one thing on his mind and as soon as his body opened up he let fly a beauty from his right foot in the right corner of the goal (Man Of The Match). It was worthy of winning any match. The celebration was crazy and funny. We had our last change in the form of Sardar and Ali who put their defence into a frenzy of last ditch tackles and saves. We pressed them for the last 10 minutes and got our worthy win at the end. We will see who we will face in the next round which in itself is exciting.
Man Of The Match – Rashid Karimi
Goal scorers :
Sajad : 1
Ramazan : 2
Rashid : 2
Things to improve:
Be on time – again
Football match is played for 90minutes – stay focused
Have discipline in your position
Positives:-
Solid TEAM WORK
Hunger for the win
Maiwand Football Club / Academy
The Trail Of A History Continues….
