8:00 PM – Shukr vs Sabr
We are half way through this season and from here on teams will be getting a second look at their opponents each week. Last Friday, Sabr (yellow) had their world come crashing down and tasted defeat courtesy of Haya (grey) - score: 2-1. The true character of a team is often revealed not when you are winning but rather through adversity. As well, Sabr better be mindful of Emaan (orange) and Haya as both teams are only two points away from catching them in the standings. This added pressure does add some intrigue near the top of the standings and it will be interesting to see how Sabr is able to deal with it. Their opponents are Shukr (red) who did everything but win in their last game against Yaqeen (white) - score: 1-1. As you can tell from the Facebook dialogue, Shukr absolutely deserved a better fate and should be coming into this week riding a one-game winning streak. Unfortunately for them, a hot goalie was in their path and results in Shukr looking for their first win in four games against Sabr. This game is crucial for Shukr as they are flirting with the danger of falling out of a playoff spot. When these team met in to open the season, it was a close contest with Basit Sheikh (Sabr) being the difference.
9:00 PM- Ikhlas vs Yaqeen
In both team’s WhatsApp chat you best believe there is a lot of chatter regarding the importance of this game. Although not officially, but whichever team wins this game will have the advantage on claiming the final playoff spot. After thrashing Yaqeen to a tune of 6-2 to start their season, Ikhlas has never been close in any of their subsequent games. The good news for them is they get a rematch against the only team they have defeated. As for Yaqeen after Week 1, they have scratched and clawed their way in grabbing points. In particular, 1 win (Haya) and 2 ties (Emaan & Shukr). The problem with ties is it makes you move like a sloth up in the standings. In fact, they don’t seem to be moving at all as a lost on Friday and they will find themselves last in the standings. Their problem seems to be with the forward group as they have only produced 7 goals (the lowest) through 5 weeks and seem to have difficulties in even getting shots towards the net. As mentioned above, back in Week 1, Ikhlas won 6-2; the 6 goals was more than the number of shots Yaqeen had on net (5) that night.
10:00 PM- Haya vs Emaan
Despite the standings saying otherwise, the eyeball test showed that Haya is the best team. They sent that message loud and clear with their recent 2-1 victory over Sabr. We are still waiting for Waqar Khan to ascend to the top of points leader board despite missing the first few weeks and restore order back to the I-Slam Hockey Universe. You know who isn’t waiting? Furqan Salam, who sits fourth overall in points (6) and tied for first in goals (5). If Khan can pick up the pace like we are accustomed to, then Haya will be an even more scarier team. Tomorrow, they get a chance for revenge against one of two teams that beat them, Emaan (the other team is Yaqeen). It should be noted, that both of these loses occurred as a result of Haya’s top-end players being away for those games. Nonetheless a win is a win and no sympathy gets passed around in I-Slam. For Emaan, I keep saying they are a hard team to evaluate and I still maintain they are a hard team to evaluate! Yes, they are tied for second overall in the standings but they just don’t feel like a “second overall team”. Their two wins have come against a short-benched Haya and last week against last place Ikhlas. Saleem Malik is having an incredible season for them with 4 goals and 7 points. Regardless whether or not they care how they are being perceived, this is a pivotal game between these two teams to claim sole possession of the second spot and possible move into a tie for first overall by the end of the night.
No comments:
Post a Comment