Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The supremely fit and technically capable players from Waseem Hockey Club in Pakistan shrugged off the effects of a delayed 4am arrival on the morning of the competition to claim the Bahrain Open Hockey 7s title in stunning fashion, writes David Axtell.
The contrast in styles was stark with the Wanderer’s relying on the stunning close control and balance of Savio and Juneid although the toll of a number of earlier tight finishes appeared to have taken effect.
Despite a bright start, as the match wore on the Wanderer’s looked leaden-footed, too often leaving their previously impenetrable defence exposed and the otherwise excellent Jude too much space to cover.
By comparison, Waseem demonstrated the value of selfless movement, frequently working the ball through several phases before creating an opening.
With the midfield working hard to support both attack and defence, their link-play often created opportunities for the tournament’s leading scorer… who, given the smallest glimmer of space, unerringly found the corner of the net, leaving the ’keeper with no chance.
Their defensive organisation and willingness to work hard and track back meant they failed to concede a goal in six of their seven matches, including all three knock-out shoot-outs.
In the third place play-off the Sharjah Youth Hockey Centre overcame Bahrain’s leading team, Dadabhai, winning 3-2 on penalty strokes.
The hard-running of Gareth Mascarenhas, the central influence of Marcelo and the terrier-like qualities of Kevin helped gain Dadabhai Bahrain’s bragging rights as top team, although they rode their luck in the group stages against Aramex, with the latter missing a succession of gilt-edged opportunities, including a penalty stroke.
Dadabhai were the only Bahrain team to make it past the quarter-final stage, beating Kuwait champions, Don Bosco 2-1, with Godfrey the driving force up front.
Aramex succumbed to the Qatar Wanderers thanks to a converted yet controversial last minute penalty award, while Design Hub lost heavily to eventual winners, Waseem Hockey Club, 7-0. The Public Security team were unfortunate to meet the Group B winners, Sharjah, and went down 1-0.
The Bahrain Hockey Association (BHA) again exceeded expectations by securing the participation of a number of Middle East national champions in the Bahrain Open Hockey 7s, sponsored by GAC, at St Christopher’s School in Saar, whose quality emphasised the importance of regular competition and coaching. Yet the eventual winners, Waseem from Pakistan, raised the bar higher still.
By inviting high-ranking officials from India to oversee matters and provide coaching to local umpires, the BHA also ensured a level of fair competition rarely witnessed in the region, an observation also endorsed by a number of the visitors.
The event was co-sponsored by GulfWeekly, Mathias Tourism, Royal Bahrain Hospital, Magnum Travel Services, Writer Relocations, Shoe Mart, Alosra, Kia, Sixt, BFC, Udrive, Inventhouse, Virgin, Sign Inn and Coca Cola.
*Don’t miss the full report and photographs from the tournament’s Junior Section in next week’s GulfWeekly.
