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ALYA Rockets Propel To Victory In Brunswick
Division 1 Indoor Soccer Championships |
After winning a close semi-final the previous week, the ALYA Rockets indoor soccer team faced very strong opposition in the final that was held on Monday 27th November, 2006. The opponents were an undefeated team that had comfortably defeated the ALYA Rockets in the only previous encounter between the two sides.
Pre-Match Photo
Pre-Match Huddle
The first half was a tight struggle with no goals scored in the opening 10 minutes. Just when the Rockets looked like scoring, a counter-attack by the opposition led to the first goal of the match.
ALYA were down 0-1. The Rockets were dealt a further blow just before half-time with a well hit free kick by the captain of the opposing team that ended up in the back of the Rockets net. ALYA were down 0-2 at halftime and starring down the barrel.
Down 2-0 at Halftime
In true Lebanese spirit, the ALYA members in the crowd became very vocal in the second half, cheering with great passion and waving the Lebanese flags. This gave the Rockets some much needed ignition required for what was truly an amazing second half performance. ALYA midfielder Ali Ibrahim wasted no time in slotting ALYA’s first goal, displaying great elegance and a skilful finish. Right from the restart, ALYA’s second midfielder Danny Fuge dispossessed an opponent and sent in a well-executed pass to Rocket’s Captain Antoine Khalil who drilled the ball into the net for ALYA’s second goal.
ALYA in Attack
The Rockets were back in the match. It didn’t take much longer for ALYA’s third goal with forward Sam Habib dribbling pass two defenders and shooting passed the opposition goalkeeper to give ALYA the lead. Determined to hang on to this lead, ALYA goalkeeper Mike Helal produced an incredible save to stop what looked like a certain opposition goal.
ALYA in Defence
The opposition tried desperately to level the scores but were met with tenacious defending from Charbel Kanati and Elie Khalil. A number of very well-timed tackles in defence prevented many shots from the opposition. After producing a second great save, Mike rolled the ball to Danny who passed to a running Sam. Sam soon found Ali who finished off what was superb team goal. With a 4-2 lead and just seven minutes left to play, the opposition embarked on a series of forward thrusts. They were however were met with great resistance from the ALYA defenders who stood strong and completely restrained all attacks. The match was soon nearing a finish and the ALYA Rockets could smell victory. There was however time for one more goal, the most spectacular goal of the season. After a string of passes, the ball ended up with Ali who responded to a call from Antoine. Ali chipped the ball to the direction of Antoine who was standing right on the halfway line. Just before the ball bounced and right before the full-time buzzer, Antoine wound back his right boot and unleashed a blistering volley that scorched through the air like a missile, sky-rocketing over the goalkeepers head and thrashing the back of the net. The crowd were completely left breathless. Celebrations of the goal were met with the full-time buzzer. The Rockets had completed a magical second half with a triumphant final score of 5-2 and their first Brunswick division 1 indoor soccer premiership title.
ALYA wins 5-2
Congratulations to the ALYA Rockets.
Team Members:
Goalkeeper – Mike Helal (Vice-Captain)
Defenders – Charbel Kanati, Elie Khalil
Midfielders – Ali Ibrahim, Danny Fuge
Forwards – Sam Habib, Antoine Khalil (Captain)
Division 1 Champions |
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