Tier Two Previews - Week Seven - October 31st

Zuhd vs Ridha

Zuhd storms into this match versus Ridha with a plethora of offensive expectations. Despite chasing the score last game, the purple shirts dug deep and showed more hunger than a bear who just woke up in the spring. The Purple Platoons overcame first place Haya in a 7-6 squeaker and now travel to encounter a playoff starving Ridha squad. Naeem Akhtar continues to be the cornerstone for Zuhd; however, there's so much more to offer from purple that these guys seem to deliver day in and day out. Many of their players have points! While frail defense lingers around Zuhd's squad, the purple shirts will have their hands full as Ridha starts to feel more accustomed with each other. Can GM Fahad Malik's team maintain their unbeaten streak and can leapfrog Ikhlas in the standings with a win? 

The Orangemen are still licking their chops off a high octane win over Shukr and anticipate to clean house once again. Ridha did manage to steal a win last game, but their defensive woes continue. At times it looked like a fire drill in the back end and a simple clearing of the ball became a struggle for orange. Ridha was outshot 17-8 and netminder Yasir Hussain continues to prove he's the reason why Ridha's still to breathing today. GM Zaid Mahmood will need his backend to tidy up versus Zuhd cause this ride might be full of turbulences. Amad Khan and Imran Lakhanpal will need to pave the way to another victory while Nadeem Qureshi and Faheem Kotwal tighten the gaps in the defensive end. Can the Orange shirts spit out another win? I haven't seen Farooq Sani and Abdul Wahab Mohammad anywhere on the stats yet; have you?

Player To Watch:

Amad Khan seems to be the man with the hot hands on Ridha. Known for determination, Khan has always been able to rise to the occasion. 

Who's Hot?

Who say size matters? The pesky Faisal Mehboob carved a feast out of Yusuf Kapoor and was clearly in the driver's seat for Zuhd.

Burning Questions?

A convincing win is what Ridha needs. Can they be able to tolerate Zuhd's wrath?

Haya vs Yaqeen

Two teams on the opposite end of the food chain fight for another two points. While Coach K's gang has adapted in surviving every feat; how will they be able to soothe Yaqeen's recent confidence boost? Haya's method of suppressing a beast like Ikhlas really shouts attention since grey nurtured team green 4-2. Waseem Bangash, Mehmed Rizwanovic and many others are leading the way for the Misty Marauders in capturing first place. While many say that there's a fine disunion in talent compared to the rivals, it's still anyone's game, anyone's season as a matter of fact. True Haya has many priceless gems that are getting the job done, but their main logic has been by abiding to their coach's plan. The last time Yaqeen squared off against against grey, Haya drubbed the snowbirds in a 6-3 rampage. Will the grey shirts be able to hand Yaqeen another loss?

Although they were the last team to taste victory, the Winter Warriors managed to get the job done by beating Shukr in a 3-1 win. GM Abbas Amarshi's squad couldn't have asked for anything more as the timely victory gives Yaqeen a window of promise in entering playoff land. Despite orchestrating a well buckled game, Furhan Azmat and Taqi Ahmed took matters into their own hand in getting Yaqeen a hard earned win. The white shirts must revolve around this snowballed confidence and play Haya to the tooth. Goaltender Saboor Mian seems to have discovered his groove and demonstrated a more poised performance between the pipes for the last two games. Captain Qamar Mian has been a climactic force in the backend along with Kamran Siddiqui and will pursuit in stumping Haya's top agents. Will Yaqeen be able to take vengeance from Haya?

Player To Watch:

Mehmed Rizwanovic maybe a foreigner to I-Slam but not to ball hockey. The stalwart has been a quiet force and pocketed a significant amount points.

Who's Hot?

Furhan Azmat came out of the blue, scored two goals and was a instrumental tool in beating blue. 

Burning Questions?

There was a lot of promise coming out of Aamir Haniff and Yaqoob Jamal, yet their silence has been unorthodox. Will these two make some noise this Friday?

Tier Two Previews - Week Six - October 24th

Haya vs Ikhlas

That sour taste of defeat has been finally sampled by the grey shirts. Haya teetered with Zuhd in a warfare of goals until it all came crashing down. The final nail in the coffin was pounded within the concluding 10 seconds of the game. A gut wrenching 7-6 loss will prove to be a learning experience for the Misty Marauders, after all, Haya's been exposed and must regroup and mask their blemishes versus Ikhlas. Adding to that, Yusuf Kapoor has gotta be better than that! Coach K's squad might as well absorb the loss now, rather than later and devise a plan where a last minute collapse is avertable. Does Haya's back end have the capacity to stand toe to toe against the Green Machine? Will the boys in grey be able to shrug off the defeat?

Ikhlas on the other hand had their backs to the wall and was overwhelmed for a bulk of the game by Yaqeen, well at least until the last 30 seconds to be precise. Enter GM Amir Multani. The nimble leader hit the twine and elevated his perplexed team to a 5-2 showering of the Winter Warriors. Things don't get easier from here on in for the green shirts. Their opposition will be a hellbent group of individuals and will be storming out of the flood gates. Conversely, it's up to Ikhlas on how they attempt to firm up their defence in response to Haya. There were some sweet giveaways that Yaqeen failed to capitalize on, cause quite honestly, Haya will just eat those alive. Will Ikhlas be able to maintain their win streak or have they met their match with grey's offensive firepower?

Player To Watch:

I'll pick two this time. Wakaas Khan and GM Amir Multani were on fire last week. Will they be able to ignite anymore flames this week versus Haya?

Who's Hot?

Waseem Bangash has proved his precedence and continues his rampage as reigns the league in points.

Burning Questions?

Can Ikhlas maintain their winning streak? 

Shukr vs Yaqeen

Shukr endured their second loss of the season, and that at the hands of a bullheaded Ridha team. The loss makes things challenging for the lower part of the spectrum as Shukr, Ridha and Yaqeen battle to see the greener side of the fence. Stapled with a three game winless streak, Shukr now encounters Yaqeen for the second time this season. Their first and only win was a royal trumping of the white shirts where a 5-0 score was registered. The Blue Crew can't underestimate anyone and will anticipate to use the same cards that earned them that first win. Talib Contractor and Saqib Khokhar will be the go to guys and melt down Yaqeen with their speed. Can Shukr see another win? 

Yaqeen's final minute breakdown really hurt, trust me, I know. The white shirts exerted everything in the gas tank and pushed Ikhlas to the limits. Unfortunately, Ikhlas's stubborn ways alleviated the Green Machine to a surging 5-2 win. Opportunities are running out for Yaqeen and sown thing must be done. Captain Qamar Mian and Abdul Aziz Rasoul have been at the front line for the white shirts but there's gotta be more firepower on this squad. Netminder Saboor Mian came out of the dark and played a strong game last week. What plan does GM Abbas Amarshi have this week? Yaqeen had a tough time with Shukr previously and must keep up with their pace. Can Yaqeen build some Yaqeen in themselves and avenge their loss to the blue shirts?

Player To Watch:

Waseem Kalair has been shutting down the opposition with his defensive expertise. Will he be able to tame Yaqeen's hungry forwards?

Who's Hot?

Despite the loss, goaltender Saboor Mian played a solid game last week. Is this the turn of a new leaf?

Burning Questions?

With both squads plummeting, which team will get the win?

Tier Two Previews - Week Five - October 17th

Zuhd vs Haya

After concluding to a scoreless draw, the Purple Platoons take their unbeaten-in-two streak against the hottest team in tier two, Haya. GM Fahad Malik and his feisty clan have high aspirations of cooling Haya's sizzling record and will entertain their chances by utilizing Naeem Akhtar and Huzaifa Manjara. Like I said last week, purple is gritty and more annoying than those candy crush invites you get, but their persistent forechecking has been their forte. Rizwan Ali seems cool and collected, Shabil Ahmed has also been a decent shareholder upfront; but do these guys possess the kahoonas in beating Haya? There's no doubt the purple's anatomy will give a Haya a run for their money! This will be a solid reality check for the purple shirts. Will Zuhd get the job done?

The guys on Haya are full of animation, and quite honestly, why shouldn't they be? A fortified three game win streak where they've clearly monopolized in every department. Last game Haya made a feast out of Ridha and it seems Khalid Bhatti's highlight reel goal was the talk of the town. "Khalid "Jaromir Jagr" Bhatti showed that he still has it with what could very well end up being the goal of the year," complimented teammate Waseem Bangash. The only issue that makes me cringe is if Haya can tame Zuhd's speed? Conversely, the Misty Marauders are full of finishers so it should be interesting to envision how Zuhd's defence will handle the grey shirt's offensive assailment. Can Coach K's clan extend their win streak to four? 

Player To Watch:

Shabil Ahmed has been instrumental for the Purple Platoons and has already carved out a hearty 3 points.

Who's Hot?

Khalid Bhatti is the guy with the hot hands. Known for his "moving" goals, the timeless Bhatti refuses to age and continues his veteran prowess.

Burning Questions?

Is there anything yielding Haya's hot streak?

Ikhlas vs Yaqeen

Despite the looonnnngggg gap from their last game, the Green Machine look to snowball their winning streak to three games while the Winter Warriors anticipate to play spoilers. Ikhlas had a robust showing in their last game and proved that the green shirts are here for good. "A gritty team effort to come from behind and steal a win," were the sentiments from stud defenceman Wajahat Khan. Atif Mian, Azim Siddique and Wakaas Khan will initiate the deed and try to make life miserable for Yaqeen netminder Saboor Mian. How will Ikhlas reply to Yaqeen's speedy forwards? Will Zuhair Fancy and Farrukh Khan be enough of a barricade for Khalid Mufti? Who may I say is perched amongst the best goalies stats in tier two. GM Amir Multani's camp will need to exert to the fullest cause Yaqeen is still licking their chops in searching for their first win.

Yaqeen has been over many speed bumps and let's admit it, it hasn't been a joyous ride. However, last game's 6-3 loss to Haya displayed many positives that'll hopefully radiate into this Friday's tilt. Yaqeen was firing from all cylinders last game and outplayed the grey shirts in the second half. Unfortunately the deficit was to deep to excavate out of, hence retreating with another loss. Taqi Ahmad, Qamar Mian and Abdul Aziz Rasoul will have to step it up and put a wrench in Ikhlas's winning streak. Conversely, Saboor Mian has gotta be better than what he's broadcasted in the past. "We gotta block more shots," said GM Abbas Amarshi subsequent to Yaqeen's second loss. The Winter Warriors are locked with Ridha in last place and desperately need points to get into the playoff picture. When will the bleeding stop for the Yaqeen camp?

Player To Watch:

Despite the loss, Taqi Ahmed was on fire and got his team on the board by crafting 3 points.

Who's Hot?

Atif Mian has got two goals in his last game and has been a force for Ikhlas.

Burning Questions?

Will Yaqeen be able to resurrect themselves in the standings?

Shukr vs Ridha

The Blue Crew played a hearty game and definitely maintained their posture as Shukr settled in a scoreless draw versus Zuhd. "We knew we had to come out stronger and not let them do what they did to us last game," said GM Ahmad Ibrahim. Shukr's running game has paid dividends and has segregated themselves from the basement dwellers by a firm three points. It's somewhat valid to say that Shukr has a handcuff on the last playoff, but alternately if they preserve this performance then kismet is merely a blink away. Many of us have already forecasted that Shukr will ultimately lay down a "Hulk Smash" all over Ridha, cause you know, everyone's doing it. Will the blue shirts be able to realign to their winning ways?  

"In need of massive improvement," spoke a disappointed GM Zaid Mahmood when asked about his team's 5-1 loss to Haya. Broken things need fixing but there're several facets of the Orangemen that need a full replacement. While the word "transactions" is obviously being tossed around the Ridha headquarters; there's questions to who's gonna go? Maybe orange will ride out another game so trading is strictly contingent on what transpires with Shukr this week. Netminder Sadiq Rehman can be beat, it's a matter of the Orangemen mustering out as many shots plausible. Nadeem Qureshi, Imran Lakhanpal and Farooq Sani will need to alleviate their game to the next level and get this team creeping up the standings very soon. Can Ridha pull off a win against Shukr? 

Player To Watch:

Faheem Kotwal stills packs a punch and will need to lend his ambidextrous expertise to his squad. 

Who's Hot?

Once again it's Mohamad Hamoud, or perhaps the only one who can churn out goals faster than a speeding ticket on Shukr. 

Burning Questions?

Is Ridha the real deal? 

Tier Two Previews - Week Four - October 10th

Haya vs Ridha 

Two teams torpedoed in opposite directions clash once again as Haya faces off against the orange shirts. Coach "K" wasn't elated as his team got overwhelmed and almost permitted Yaqeen in mulling a comeback. Low and behold, the Misty Marauders prevailed to a commanding 6-3 and simply drove away into the night. Haya's Waseem Bangash and Aazar Zafar continue their blaze and it's assumed that the grey shirts will give the Ridha a thorough "Hockey 101" this week. Yusuf Kapoor's defence has managed to hold its own but at instances have displayed flashes of bemusement. Can Haya lengthen their win streak to three? Are the grey shirts the real deal?

The Orangemen must collaborate and execute a thorough plan in attempts of snatching two points. They have the tools, the heart and most importantly the hottest commodity on the squad, goaltender Yasir Hussain; so what's the story Rory? GM Zaid Mahmood might've received a shimmer of hope upon the welcoming of Nadeem Qureshi into the Ridha camp. Can this Kashmiri injection be enough of a stimulant for team orange? Defence has been lacking and quite often Yasir Hussain has been abandoned like an orphan at a shelter. Nevertheless, Ridha isn't out yet, and sometimes a new face can suddenly alter the fortunes for a team. Whose going to step and take this squad to the next level? Imran Lakhanpal? Farooq Sani? Anyone?

Player To Watch:

Known for his finesse on the back end, Nadeem Qureshi should give this team the boost they need. 

Burning Questions?

Will Ridha be able to snap their losing streak?

Who's Hot?

As mentioned, Waseem Bangash and Aazar Zafar have been gold for Haya.

Zuhd vs Shukr

Who ticked off the sleeping bear? Man, talk about a butt kicking! Naeem Akhtar continues to attest that he's the one man show on the Purple Platoons. Akhtar easily devoted four points in a firm 6-1 thumping of Shukr and leads his crew in points. Collectively, all of purple orchestrated a gritty game, and that's what Zuhd's signature dish is all about...tenacity and hustle. Their probably a bunch of guys you wouldn't want meet in a dark alley, but man they getting it done. Can GM Fahad Malik's posse wreck havoc again this week? Chances are that history could repeat itself but you never what Shukr has in store? Netminder Rizwan Ali laughingly retorted 11 shots but easily had his egg cracked in the dying seconds. Here's your second chance Rizzy!

Call it a reality check or bad game, but sometimes you need your butt handed to you. Not only is it healthy for the team but it gives management a firm stance of their squad. Let's just hope Shukr doesn't make a habit of this treatment. It's plain and simple, the blue shirts have to come out harder and more targeted. Against Zuhd, Shukr's blue line mustn't play the chasing game and execute quicker decisions, cause Zuhd will bite you if they catch you "napping" with the ball. GM Ahmad Ibrahim must counter speed with speed and hope to catch Rizwan Ali napping on a few shots, cause once the floodgates open then...you know where I'm going. Can the blue shirts avenge their embarrassing loss? 

Player To Watch:

Saqib Khokhar is a workhorse, hopefully his intensity will pay dividends this week.

Burning Questions?

Can Shukr come back with a reply to their loss?

Who's Hot?

You guessed it, Naeem Akhtar...self explanatory.