Newcastle’s own BPL

The success of any soccer team does not rely on individual talent or stunning goals, but on the team’s ability to work together as a unit.

This will undoubtedly be required of every team participating in the Newcastle Court Soccer Association Boston Premier League (NCSABPL).

The league is split into two divisions, namely A and B League.

Pansula Boys won the B-League last season. With it came the promotion to the A-League this season. It must be remembered Pansula Boys entered the NCSABPL last season, and was subsequently placed in the B-league.

Triumph in the B-League led the team to face last season’s, A-league winner, Al-Ahly, last week Thursday.

Al-Ahly completely bulldozed the Pansula Boys outfit with a crushing victory of five goals to Pansula’s nil.

It must be remembered that Al-Ahly played its first game on Tuesday, February 24 against Atletico. This match-up promised to be entertaining, as both teams were immensely talented.

However, Al-Ahly players once again proved why they were last season’s league leaders as they beat Atletico three-nil.

During the mathcup, Atletico had the pressure placed on AL-Ahly in the first half, however a quick counter allowed Al-Ahly to push one in past Atletico keeper, Shoaeb Ebrahim, and then the floodgates opened in the second half.

Al-Ahly captain, Faheem Paruk was impressed with his side’s opening game performances.

While performances from individual players, such as Raja, and Mohammed Moola, did stand out, Al-Ahly did not have any key players in a manner of speaking.

“Every player for us is a key player. That’s what make us Al-Ahly United,” said Faheem.

His team’s goal is to finish the league at the top of the table once more, but said the team would be taking it one game at a time.

Touching on the chemistry of the side, he specified players should stay true to their team, because a player’s true strength was only revealed in the team.

“You are your biggest rival in sports. Don’t let the victories or defeats get to your head. Stay humble and keep it simple. This is the key to our team.”

Atletico manager, Shiraaq Rehman, who was not entirely pleased with the outcome of the match, said the team would look to build on from this defeat, as it was only the first game of the season.

“We are aiming for the top as well. We have our key players Themba Ndo, Mohammed Omarjee and Aslam Khan holding the team together. Also Riyaadh Mohammed is a key striker for us,” said Shiraq.

Riyaadh is an outstanding 15-year-old player, who has the first-touches and control of a much more experienced player.

Pansula Boys managed to hold its own against Lusitano during both teams’ opening games last week Tueday, resulting in a two-all draw.

The game was wrought with heavy challenges and featured two yellow cards and one red.

In the B-League, Ababeel marched impressively into a great win for its first game after they trumped Hungry Lions four-nil. Both these teams are contenders for the B-League title, and a promotion place as they both show the high-calibre abilities of an A-League team.

Atletico was once again defeated during its second game on Thursday. Coming up against last season’s, second-seeded, Stucky Motor Zenith, Atletico found itself hard-pressed to pull off a win after its first game defeat.

Zenith moved along the pitch like a well-oiled machine stringing, passes together excellently, and managed to sink in three goals past the Atletico defence. Atletico did reply with one goal, but it was for naught, as the whistle blew soon after.

In other news, Juventus played TVET Majuba, winning nine-two. Zamalek beat Tsotsi Seven four-nil and Lusitano managed to overcome their first game draw, by adding three points to their log standing when they beat Spartans three-nil. Tsotsi Seven lost its second game as well, when they played the impressive Juventus, losing out one-nil.