Caption: The victorious Nadi Muslim College under-17 players with head coach Nadeem Mohammed after their win. Photo: SUPPLIED.
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
It was a joyous and a historic moment for the Nadi Muslim College under-17 side on Saturday, June 7, as they lifted the Nadi Secondary School Football’s under-17 title for the first time ever in College’s soccer history beating rivals Sangam SKM College 2-0 in a scintillating finale.
Entering the final as match favourites, SSKMC tried everything to get on score-sheet, but it was the ‘boys in red’ who displayed some fantastic football touches as both the teams failed to score after 60-minutes of exciting football.
Historic moment…Nadi Muslim College head coach Nadeem Mohammed and players pose with the under-17 trophy. Photo: SUPPLIED.
NMC’s technical move, sending Sata Tale in the starting line-up, proved to be a bonus for them as Tale broke the deadlock in the 4th minute of first extra spell before Mohammed Shafeem put the final nail into SSKMC’s coffin to seal the victory.
Head coach Nadeem Mohammed was overwhelmed with the victory as he believed that fitness and hunger to win was the overall difference in the game.
“My boys’ fitness, endurance and the commitment to conquer helped us dethrone SSKMC, as we scored two well worked out goals in the extra spells,” Mr Mohammed said.
“I am extremely delighted with the level of football my boys displayed after a shaky performance in the semi final as NMC beat Korovuto 1-0 while SSKMC got the favourites tag in the final after thrashing Nawai Secondary 4-1 in Semi Final.”
“I was not moved by the huge margin SSKMC was getting in pool games and semis as we were completely focused on a game plan to shut them at any stage we were destined to meet.”
According to the winning coach, team spirit was high from day one.
“I must thank the Almighty God for this success as despite several injuries, we still reigned supreme. While acknowledging my fellow officials, I must thank Mr Shamim Buksh and our handy man, Saleem for the work in the kitchen to keep the guys going as this win would not have been possible without the technical advice from Mr Dinesh Gosai and wonderful management by Sunil Maharaj.” he added.
College Principal, Mr Mohammed Khalid Hassan thanked the school management, parents, entire staff and business community for the support behind the team’s success.
“NMC believes in holistic development of students and this win is exemplary of us exposing our students in various sports”, Mr Hassan mentioned.