Ahamed Shakir scored four goals as Zahira College pummeled Wesley College 7-0 in the Kotmal Chox Schools U19 Football Championship match at Zahira College.
Photo Album – Zahira College vs Wesley College – Schools Football 2015
Shakir scored two goals and Mohamed Shafir added another as the hosts went into halftime with a comfortable 3-0 lead. Wesley resisted admirable in the first 20 minutes of the second half but quick goals by Shakir, Rimzi
The rains did not spoil the game as the slightly over cast conditions provided cooler conditions for the players throughout the 90 minutes. It was the hosts as predicted who dominated the game as the match was almost played in Wesley half.
It was the Sri Lanka U19 products that combined for the first opportunity for Zahira, when Farood Faiz sent Mohamed Shaheel on the run from a through ball but his effort was blocked by the on rushing goalkeeper, Mohamed Nifraz from point blank range and the rebound was cleared off the line by the Wesley defense.
Another deceptive move saw Mohamed Shafran’s effort inside box blocked as Wesley held off the Zahira charge in the first 20 minutes.
The resistance was finally broken in the 22nd minute when Shakir scored the first from a Shafran cut-back after a wonderful cross towards the far post Shaheel.
Shakir should have doubled the lead soon after but he poked the ball wide of the target after brushing off two defenders and with the goalkeeper to beat. Nifraz was playing well between the posts for the visitors making a couple of good saves but a basic error by him was punished by Shakir.
Saunders SC man, Shaheel who was devastating on the left had his powerful shot saved but his rebound header was fumbled by Nifraz allowing Shakir for the easiest of tap-ins.
Just before halftime Shakir and Shafir combined to score the third. The Zahira attack flowed through the heart of the Wesley defense as both of them exchanged passes and Shafir calmly slotted past the goalkeeper.
Once again as they did in the first half the visitors put on the resilient defensive effort in the first quarter of the second half with blocks and Nifraz redeeming himself with good saves.
Under appeals for a handball inside the penalty box Zahira continued their attack as Shafran’s low drive bounced off the far upright but the rebound was again tucked by Shakir for his hat-trick and for the fourth for Zahira.
Two minutes after the goal Shakir scored his fourth when a clearance header form a corner fell at his feet and he showed good technique to volley it past a helpless Nifraz. Shafran then had the ball in the back of the net from a header at the far post but he was deemed off-side by the lines man.
Near the end substitute Mohamed Rizmi scored the 6th and Zulfikar Ahamed powered home a header for the 7th goal for Zahira.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Ahamed Shakir
