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Matchday 14 – A review of the league matches

Written by Schumi-

Last weekend was the finish of the leagues. While the top leagues already had their champions, other teams where still fighting for a good final place. Some were fighting to end in Top 4 and thus to avoid a Qualifier match, others then were fighting to get that Qualifier match by jumping into Top 6 on the last moment. The Qualifiers make the end of the season especially interesting, also because not all champions get direct promotion. Which of the four champions would get direct promotion and which one will fighting against Amiri-teams for promotion?

As usual, we start with the Review of the Amiri league:

#5 NoTax United - #1 Azad

The season ends with the confrontation between the two best teams of last season. Azad is again at the top of the table, but NoTax United has dropped into fifth after a terrible start of the season. Nevertheless, winning the Cup, NoTax United makes sure that this is the match between the two teams that won the big trophies this season, and thus between the two teams that will be battling in next seasons’ Hattrick Masters. Despite missing the home advantage, Azad was the big favorite in this match. We got used to early goals from their side, but this week the crowd had to wait over an half hour to see any goals, as Ismail Diwanji opened the score. One minute later, Salim Harrani added a goal to the score, and with two more goals from Harrani in the second half, it is Salim Harrani who becomes Top Scorer of the Amiri League. Also a great achievement by Ismail Diwanji though – He became Top Scorer of the Polish league he transferred from even though he only scored in the first four(!) league matches! Back to this match though – NoTax United also scored a goal, but that one goal meant little versus Azad’s four. Azad ends the season with a magnificent 40 points, keeping their undefeated status, while NoTax United still has to secure their spot in next seasons’ competition via a Qualifier match.

#8 AL-Saidi - #2 Kojak United

AL-Saidi was the only team so far sure to relegate, but still could play a role in the battle for second place – they were the last team that could help Warrawong Grasshoppers taking second instead of Kojak United. However, the home advantage did not help AL-Saidi at all. They never really had any chance to compete with the much stronger Kojak United. Kojak United set a very strong last performance for this season and got rewarded with an 0 – 2 win. Seeing the huge difference in quality in this match, it is even surprising that the score was not larger. The score was not that relevant though, any win would guarantee Kojak United’s second place in the league. Quite important to them, as it is the return to the top for them, and they seem to be the major challenger for Azad coming season, although teams such as Total Tykes or Warrawong Grasshoppers may of course not be underestimated either.

#6 Abu Dhabi Humidity - #3 Warrawong Grasshoppers

Reading the report of the second match, we already know that the Grasshoppers could not take second anymore. However, when the match was played, they did not know that yet, and thus they fought for the win. Abu Dhabi Humidity had a theoretical chance left to end seventh, but since that chance was really minimal, they could already quite safely focus on preparing for a Qualifier match. And the difference in priorities already decided this match for the largest part. Grasshoppers knew this was their last match, and with a MOTS they set an incredible performance, a performance that the disappointing AD Humidity was unable to match. Total domination resulted in an 0 – 3 advantage for the away team halfway. A boring second half did not change the score. Warrawong Grasshoppers ends a solid season on a solid third position. Abu Dhabi Humidity has to keep fighting as they had to during the entire season.

#7 Dubai Heroes - #4 Desert Wolves F.C

There was little left to play for for these two teams, although Dubai Heroes had a minor chance on getting sixth if they would take a major win here. But being realistic, they knew that would not happen. Desert Wolves had already secured a spot in the Top 4 and thus could safely play MOTS without any worries. Nevertheless, Wolves’ performance was inadequate and likely not worthy of Top 4 next season. This week it was still enough: Dubai Heroes opened the score, but with five goals Desert Wolves F.C easily took a win here. Nevertheless improvement is a necessity for next season, otherwise I see no reason for them to end higher than fifth or sixth.

II.1:

The Champion of the II.1, Indian Vikings, was leading the battle of champions for promotion to the Amiri League and thus their 0 – 8 win against bot team Sand Foxes guaranteed Indian Vikings a return to the highest level! Runner-up Los Blancos F.C also finished their season in a positive way, as they also had an 0 – 8 win versus yet another bot team, Al Fujairah. Third place went to Al Barsha after a narrow win versus number 6 LaMTaRa. That left 300 warriors with a fourth place, despite taking a solid 1 – 5 win versus Invinsibles, who end up seventh as a result of that loss and therefore get direct relegation. That benefits LaMTaRa, who manage to get a Qualifier match. Sand Foxes ends last and obviously relegated, but the other bot team, Al Fujairah, ends up fifth because of a strong first half of the season. Nevertheless, they have no chance in a Qualifier match and will therefore also relegate.

II.2

In the II.2, Champion Inter AD was unlikely to get direct promotion and therefore could focus on the Qualifier match and thus not concentrate on the last league match against runner-up Ottoman Empire FC. The result was a 2 – 1 win for Ottoman Empire. For third place, Al-Qurri defeated The Dubai Desert Devils and thus overtakes them on the last matchday to take third spot. No worries though for The Dubai Desert Devils, as fourth keeps them in the safety zone as well. Also number 5 and 6 met each other, and here the number 6, Juve Juniors got a strong 3 – 1 win versus Dubai Rockets. It did not change the ranking anymore, but made a point for next season already. AC Falcons and Reza were already sure to relegate, but as both were without wins yet this season, they was still some battling. AC Falcons narrowly won that fight 3 to 2 and thus take seventh.

II.3:

IFK CastECastle was the first tea to become champion of their II this season, but missed direct promotion nonetheless after suffering their first loss of the season in the last matchday: 1 – 0 in an away match against Ibsen Glory. That magnificent win helps Ibsen Glory to take second spot again, after overtaking Heart United on the last day. Heart United did not manage to beat number 8 The Winning 11 – 1-1. Fourth goes to Awesometropolis, who lost 0 – 4 at home against Bianconeri 4ever. No good end of the season for Awesometropolis, but it should comfort them that they are safe anyway. That big win gives Bianconeri 4ever fifth place and a Qualifier match that should not give them major problems. Sixth goes to AL-MaMari, who got a close 0 – 1 win versus -fc Aslansar- on the final match. That leaves the last of them with direct relegation together with The Winning 11.

II.4:

The loss of IFK CastECastle gave the Champion of the II.4, Total Tykes, an unexpected chance to get direct promotion, something that they lost faith on after their own loss one week earlier. Total Tykes expected to be preparing for a difficult Qualifier match, but after beating number 5 Al Taliaa 1 to 5, they suddenly found themselves secured of promotion! A great end of the season to them. Runner-up Wild Boys U.A.E. easily crushed number 3 Dubai Gunners 4 to 0. Emirate 2008 had a 5 – 0 win versus bot team Azzuri FC and therefore took the last safe spot: fourth. As said, Al Taliaa takes fifth, while Kolonija FC takes sixth after the very promising start of the season. Their loss of 0 – 6 versus number 7 Alexa on the last day made no difference. Alexa relegates directly, Kolonija FC has to defend their place via a Qualifier match.

Next season’s Amiri League:

For next season, a strong line-up is waiting to compete on the highest level:

1. Azad
2. Kojak United
3. Warrawong Grasshoppers
4. Desert Wolves F.C
5. NoTax United // Inter AD
6. Abu Dhabi Humidity // IFK CastECastle
7. Indian Vikings
8. Total Tykes

In the Qualifiers matches, the final two places will be awarded. NoTax United will host Inter AD: (269794543). The odds favor NoTax United, although Inter AD seem to have better chances than last season versus Abu Dhabi Humidity. Inter AD are getting closer to the Top 8, but I expect it is one minor bridge too far yet.

Abu Dhabi Humidity hosts IFK CastECastle in the other Qualifier match: (269794542). Comparing these team, I think IFK CastECastle is somewhat stronger. Nonetheless, I think Abu Dhabi Humidity is favorite to win this match. Why? Firstly because Abu Dhabi Humidity has the important home advantage and secondly because IFK CastECastle has one clear weakness and that is their attack – very vulnerable if you face a team that relies on defense and counter attacks…