Week Four - October 10th

Ihsan vs. Taqwa

10PM

Both teams suffered their first loss of the season prior to the Eid break, after allowing a brief chance to take sole leadership of first place slip through their fingers.

But this will likely be a statement game for both teams. Both teams are also hoping for a full lineup for the first time this season. For Taqwa, they hope to have all of Osman Buttar, Camran Baig and the newly acquired Nomi Chaudhry all in the lineup at the same time. Meanwhile, Ihsan is hoping to finally see Usama Mahmood’s debut this season. Rumours were abound that Mahmood held a retirement celebration a couple of weeks ago but close friend and co-GM Sajjid Ayubi insisted that was not the case. “I’d kill him if he walked away from the game right now” Ayubi is reported to have said. Mahmood can certainly be a difference maker, so his presence would be a huge boost for the team.

Player to Watch: Yusuf Ingar was a solid contributor for Taqwa last season but he has yet to make his presence felt with Ihsan. He needs to make an impact, and soon, or his stock might start falling around the league.

Who’s Hot: Shaukat Khan and Sajjid Ayubi are tied at the top of the league with 5 points and have both been carrying the mail for their respective teams.

Emaan vs Sabr

11PM

I think we can call this Friday “even Steven”. Firstly, all the teams are tied in points in the standings. Secondly, all the teams playing this Friday have tied each other in their previous matchups. Emaan and Sabr played to a tie the last time they played and so did Ihsan and Taqwa.

So everything is as tied up as it could be.

Based on my expert scouting, I’d say the following were true from the previous Sabr-Emaan showdown:

1.   Sabr had a lot of trouble with Emaan’s speed through the neutral zone. Speed is what breaks the trap and Sabr’s system couldn’t withstand Emaan’s runners.
2. Emaan ran out of gas near the end of the game and Sabr took over.

Emaan also left a number of quality chances on the table, though this seems to be a theme in all of their games. They create many chances but have far too much trouble in the finishing department. If they start finishing, they’ll keep winning.

Player to Watch: Umair Awan has 2 goals already this season but could have had 5. He’s got the shot of a sniper and can really lift this team up.

Who’s Hot: Imran Patel’s goal last week was all kinds of nasty. Patel embarrassed the Ihsan defender and goaltender as he undressed them both and powered towards the net. You can’t ignore that kind of talent.