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SOCCER-MAD Kareem Bagaeen is a genuine hotshot and to prove it he picked up first prize in a thrilling speed shot challenge.
The 11-year-old struck a thunderbolt and secured the winning score of 47mph from 10 yards at a speed gun in a side contest to a recent Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain Under-12 League Cup competition.
Jordanian Kareem, lives in Hamala with his family, namely dad, Saleh, director-investments at Venture Capital Bank, mum Rula Massad, Arabic language coordinator at Nadeen International School, and sister, Mira, 16. He said: “I love scoring goals and when you bang them in hard the goalie hasn’t a chance!”
Kareem, who attends the British School of Bahrain, is an avid Arsenal fan although his footballing hero is Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
He was a member of the Under-10 soccer school squad last year which secured a trophy in Dubai and scored five goals in six games, including a hat-trick in the opening match, when the Bahrain Under-12s took the runners-up trophy in an international competition in London over the summer.
Proud dad Saleh said: “I used to enjoy playing in the garden with him but now he hits it so hard it stings my hands!”
Kareem won a prize cap for his speedy endeavours, beating runner-up Mohammed Jawad by one mile per hour.
“When coaching shooting, there are various techniques you teach young players, involving both accurate and powerful shooting,” said Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain coach Liam Trigg.
“The advantage of a powerful shot is that you give the goalkeeper less time to react. Goalkeepers have quick reactions and a shot with more power will prevent them from reacting in time to make the save.”
Kareem, however, has some way to go before hitting the record books. Three David’s hold the record for the fastest recorded shot with former Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst claiming top spot, hitting the crossbar at a whopping 114mph against Arsenal at Highbury in September 1996. David Beckham’s 97.9mph effort against Chelsea in February 1997, is second while David Trezeguet’s thunderbolt at Old Trafford in March 1998, was recorded at 96mph, putting him third on the list.
Kareem’s goal-scoring prowess did not help in the competition made up of players picked at random into teams.
The winning, unbeaten side which won four and drew two games, was made up of Mohammed Altawash, Mohammed Jawad, Harret Murad, Mohammed Khoori, Mohammed Deeb, George Axtell, Hashem Gandour, Ali Mohsen.
