Ikhlas vs Ihsan
When these teams met in Week One the result was a 0-0 tie and the only point for Ikhlas this season. The struggles for Ikhlas are well known, a pair of blowout losses to Haya and a close loss against Shukr last week. The team made news after their last game as they traded Arif Bijabhai, selected first overall in the draft, along with Saqib Sheikh to Emaan in exchange for Imran Lakhanpal and Saqib Khokar. The two new players will be counted on to bring some energy to the locker room and Khokar to line up on defense to help bring some quickness and ball movement to the side. Their forwards are talented, no denying that but they've been hemmed in their own zone most games and not able to open the floor with their speed as was expected of them.
Ihsan may be in fifth place with two ties in their first four games but this team has struggled much like Ikhlas has this season. Ahmad Hathout is without a point in four games and has to be feeling the pressure as each game passes as his team looks for him to generate some offense. The acquisition of Amir Multani has not panned out yet as he has not scored a point and is struggling with his fitness. While it’s a bit early to call this game a must win for each team – it really is a must win game as it would give the winner a potential head-to-head advantage as the season progresses towards the playoffs.
Burning Questions?
Which team will finally get their first win?
Who's Hot?
No one, this game features the two lowest scoring offenses so far this season but Yusuf Kapoor has kept his team close in games – something not obvious unless you have watched Ikhlas struggle.
Player to Watch:
The two additions to Ikhlas in Imran Lakhanpal and Saqib Khokar will be counted on to give their new team a boost.
Emaan vs Haya
Emaan had been rolling along with dominating wins this season until last week where a short bench and a hungry Sabr saw them get pummeled 7-2. GM Ibrahim Hindy reacted to the loss with a big move as he decided the league's best offense needed to bolster up, adding Arif Bijabhai in a trade with Ikhlas. Going the other way was Saqib Khokar and Imran Lakhanpal while Saqib Sheikh rounds out the deal coming to Emaan. Bijabhai is speculated to be lining up on the second line, perhaps with Sheikh as his center giving this team even more firepower. They boast the three of the league's top four point getters as Gehad Alhundi and Yousuf Sowdagar are top two. Coming off a humbling loss and with some fresh faces eager to make an impact they face Haya who is sitting in first place – a position many expected Emaan to own (along with an undefeated record) this season.
Haya managed to grind out a 2-1 win over Ihsan last week who were missing 2/3 of their top forward line as the pattern of Haya coming up against opponents missing key players continued. Haya will be hard pressed in this game though as Emaan's offense is the best in the league and just got stronger. Waqar Khan has been their best forward which was expected and the pressure will be on him to lead the offense as well as provide his usual strong defensive performance on a talented opponent.
Burning Questions?
Can Haya actually beat an opponent at full strength?
Who's Hot?
Emaan's offense led by Gehad Alhundi has been unstoppable this season, the pressure will be on Haya to try and limit Alhundi from lighting it up. Of Emaan's 18 goals over four games this season, Alhundi has a hand in 15 of them.
Player to Watch:
Arif Bijabhai has struggled this season but one a loaded team like this the pressure will not be on him as much and puts him in a great position to break out.
Sabr vs Shukr
Both teams are coming off a win in Week Five but in quite different ways. Sabr ran it up on Emaan, pounding them 7-2 and showing the offensive punch that many expected to see from the start of the season. The win jumped Sabr into fourth place and a win this week would see them propel into third place so they are definitely motivated coming into this one. A gratifying observation for Sabr GM Salman Alvi last week was watching Hany Soliman (3 goals, 2 assists) and Osama Soliman (2 goals, 3 assists) break out and had Yousuf Soliman played as well the team felt they could have scored 10 goals.
Shukr comes into this game with Coach K having pulled another rabbit out of his hat last week. With goalie Yasir Hussain unavailable along with a replacement goalie, Coach K convinced Akib Malik to play as a replacement goalie and he filled in admirably backstopping Shukr to the win. Shukr continues to struggle with health across their roster with many key players either unavailable due to injury or playing through an injury. Despite the obstacles, Coach K has guided this team into third place and expects to finish top-two once he gets his full roster back.
Burning Questions?
After last week's offensive outburst, can Sabr light it up against the defensive system that Shukr plays? How many tricks can Coach K have left up his sleeve as he carries this team on his back.
Who's Hot?
Hany Soliman reaffirmed last week that he is a power forward that is difficult to stop, he'll have a challenge against Shukr's defense but he comes into this one very confident after last week's stellar performance.
Player to Watch:
Osama Soliman also had a big game last week and his speed and finesse will be fun to watch as he goes against one of the best defensive units in the league.
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