IMAAD 6-a-side Football Tournament II

• Event Review
• League Tables, Scores and Knockout Fixtures
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Event Review

The hottest day of the year, with temperatures soaring above 38 degrees was the backdrop to which 15 teams battled for the Imaad 6 aside trophy. In what was a high quality tournament, over 100 players and spectators gathered to score over 100 goals and play over 35 games. The quality of the tournament was extremely high, with 10 new teams entering and 5 teams returning from the previous tournament - including defending champions Real Baghdad.

With 15 teams, the tournament was split into 3 leagues, the top two teams from each league qualified and the 2 best runners up from across the leagues joined them in the knockout competiton to decided the destiny of the Imaad shield.

League 1

It appears that of the three leagues, the first was the only one with any kind of hierarchy. From the offset, Agboola Arisen set the pace by beating Imaad in an absolute nailbiter 5-4. Comfortably winning the rest of their games, they were one of only 2 teams to secure a 100% record going into the knockout stages recording a maximum 12 points from their 4 games. Similarly, Imaad's defeat to Agboola was to be a solitary affiar as they forged their way through the remaining games in commanding fashion, gaining 9 points from the remaing 3 games. It was a testament to the quality of the competition that capable teams such as Baghdad FC and Medina Boys were rooted at the bottom of the table along with Brothers FC 'B' - for though they weren't poor teams they lacked the cutting edge of other sides and so found it difficult to get the results necessary to make it into the knockout phase.

League 2

An all together tighter affair, pitted 4 of the toughest sides in the same league. None of the teams found a way to beat the impressive Asia Milan who on their way to recording 12 points, disposed of reigning champions Real Baghdad and last years runners-up Team Juve. In contrast to Milan's free flowing football, Baghdad Utd. came second in the league, using a much more direct approach to record 9 points from 4 games. Team Juve though were destined to go through as one of the lucky losers by gaining 6 points and hence gaining the 8th and final quarter-final berth.

League 3

This was the tightest league of all. League winners Red Star Karachi secured their qualification by winning their first 3 games and gaining the 9 points necessary to secure qualification. Tailing Red Star though was the solid Goodfellas team who by beating Red Star managed 8 points from 4 games finishing 2nd in the group. By no means a weak team, Brothers FC 'A' recovered from an early 3-0 drubbing by Red Star to salvage 7 points and claim the 7th Quarter-Final berth as lucky losers. A mention should also be given to the 2 remaining teams in the group. Team Asad Younis nearly gained points form many of their games and if they could only have managed to score at crucial periods, then the whole complexion of the tournament may have changed. Maybe this young team will be back in the next tournament a little physically stronger to prove a real threat. Finally, The Voice of Iraq battled hard in their games but it was most likely a defensive weakness which meant that they brought up the group after their 4 matches.

Knockout Competiton

QF1: Asia Milan 3 vs 0 Brothers FC 'A'

This proved to be a tight affair as the big guns slogged it out for a semi final berth. Once again, Asia Milan showed their class in their comfortable victory over Brothers FC 'A'. If they showed anything it was that their squad allowed them to rest any player at any time and have a player of equal ability come on and take their place.

QF2: Red Star Karachi 3 vs 1 Baghdad Utd.

In an end to end quarter final both teams gave everything they had. After 5 mins, Baghdad levelled the scores at 1-1 after Red Star had gone ahead early. The last 5 mins proved a hill too far for them though as thier fitness waned, Red Star took full advantage by scoring twice to secure the tie.

QF3: Imaad 3 vs 0 Goodfellas

Goodfellas wasted their two best chances at the very beginning of the match and consequently, Imaad scored the only 3 chances that came their way in a clinical lesson in 6 aside football. Perhaps the scoreline flattered them but in a 10 minute match, Goodfellas weren't able to bounce back.

QF4: Agboola Arisen 1 vs 2 Team Juve

In what was expected to be an Agboola victory, Team Juve showed exactly why they were runners up in the previous tournament. With Agboola visibly tired from the league stages, Juve recorded a deserved victory to progress into the semi's.

SF1: Asia Milan 3 vs 1 Red Star Karachi

After taking the lead early on, Red Star fought to maintain their advantage for the rest of the match. With 5 minutes left however, their discipline cracked and they conceeded 2 goals in succession. Towards the end, Asia Milan hit them on the break as they went in search of the equalizer to secure their place in the final.

SF2: Imaad 0 vs 0 Team Juve* (Team Juve wins 4-3 on penalties)

Tension reigned in the second semi as chances were few and far between. No team wanted to lose the game and as such, penalties decided the outcome. Team Juve held their nerve and despite a good save from Fasial Aslam, the Imaad keeper - Imaad blasted 2 of their own penalties wide (Saif Aslam and Saif Elahi) to give Juve a place in the final.

FINAL: Asia Milan 1 vs 0 Team Juve (Asia Milan win aet)

The showpiece game was a dogged affair, Eastern Rangers probed away trying to get the winning goal. whilst Juve were resolute in defying them. With but 1 or 2 half chances the game went into a 5 minute extra time period and looked destined to be heading for penalties. Two minutes from time though, Asia Milan's star forward produced a bit of magic in the box followed by a sublime finish to give them victory. It was a shattering blow for Team Juve who looked set to achieve their aim in shutting out the goal machine that was Asia Milan. Some things are not meant to be though and so for the second time running, Team Juve were consigned to second place.

Congratulations to Asia Milan on a thoroughly convincing tournament victory. It was tight tournament but Milan always loked like they had an edge on all the other teams there. Perhaps someone will be there to knock them off the summitt when Imaad 6-aside Tournament III comes around.

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