Published on Dec 30 2009 by Team NM

As the participants entered it was clear that there was a do-or-die attitude for this event. Competitors were certainly in it to win it.  The gamers came prepared with their best game face on determined to win the mind games against each other. The tension was palpable, participants clearly focused for the events ahead. As the various TVs and consoles were plugged in, a room with this tension only required an Eminem 8 mile soundtrack to correlate with atmosphere in the room – instead the gamers were ‘treated’ to the latest Bollywood tracks courtesy of Anil’s X-Box. Anil recognising his street cred had plummeted to a new low, quickly blamed the person nearest to him.

Usman Chaudhary, the organiser of this event, then attempted to gather the participants round to state the rules and regulations, yet his calls fell on deaf ears, therefore it took Rizwan’s raspy tones and a deafening Waqas’ ‘Oiiiiiiiii!’ to finally have everyone’s undivided attention.

Usman stated that to ensure a better competition the ‘big seeds’ would be kept apart from each other in the group stages. Rizwan and Usman qualified for this slot having participated in the tournament final in May. Imaad and Omar, who were not present for the previous tournament due to University commitments, were allocated the remaining places as seeds due to the significant number of UEFA coefficients they had notched up over the years.

Usman decided that the following teams of AC Milan, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United would be assigned to the various players to ensure a fair competition. However both Imaad and Rizwan, being the true Pro warriors that they are, decided to remain loyal to their clubs Liverpool and Arsenal respectively. Usman accepted their requests, subsequently deciding should the participants want to be another team that they are assigned they must be ‘worse’ than the four teams stated.

In the previous tournament, Usman had been riddled with accusations that he fixed the tournament to secure his route in the final, so Usman wanted to put any concerns about his integrity to bed.  He therefore ensured he would face the toughest competition in his first match.... Babar Hashmi, the 13 year old brother of Shahid.

Hmmm.

Babar had the support from literally everyone in the room, yet despite going into the lead he eventually lost 4-1.

Incidentally Shahid was merely there to provide support for his brother in his Pro encounter before being ushered out the room and into his ‘luxury’ maroon Nissan Micra by his security team who wanted to make sure none of the other competitors would talk to him. He was unable to attend the full duration of the event as he had a social event to attend at The Ritz hotel according to his spokesman.

The biggest shock of the 2^nd round of matches was the 3-0 loss Rizwan suffered at the hands of Kashif of Sutton, belying his pre tournament boasts that he will prove that he is the best Pro player in the region.

Rizwan was eventually dumped out the tournament after losing 3-1 in his final match against Waheed Jaswal of Raynes Park. Word quickly spread around of Rizwan’s exit, which was met with both shock and jubilation. The most exciting match of the final group games was the match between Imaad and Tamoor Ahmed, both good friends yet sworn enemies for 10 minutes. Tamoor only required a draw to advance to the knockout stages with Musavar whilst Imaad needed a win, the match ended in a 1-1 draw after Imaad dominated the match. Rumours have subsequently circulated about the nature of this result. It is widely believed that Tamoor had told Imaad that, if he did not get the point required, he would be unable to continue in his capacity as Imaad’s personal trainer. Sources close to Imaad believe the fear of summer approaching without a six pack was simply too much for Imaad. Investigations have been launched; a public inquiry is to be held.  

The Bajwa brothers, both big seeds were eliminated from the competition at the group stages, many people could not believe their eyes.

Qualifiers: Kashif and Waheed (group A) Usman and Raheel (group B) Omar and Akash (group C) Musavar and Tamoor (group D)

The event was graced by the presence of two former New Malden patriots – Regional Qaid Sahib, Okasha Sami and Regional Nazim Sehat-e-Jismani -Rashid Khan returning to their former stomping ground i.e. Tadworth Hall. Then came the refreshments, courtesy of Waqas Ahmed and Humza Vanderman who prepared nothing short of a harvest, with numerous boxes of chicken and chips and various crisps and bottles of soft drinks. Realising he may have ordered too many boxes of chicken and chips, Waqas attempted to ‘hustle’ the boxes to everyone there – a stint on The Apprentice is calling.

The lunch was shortly followed by Maghrib and Ishaa prayers led by respected Regional Qaid Sahib Okasha Sami. The Quarter final stages continued after Salaat. The first match was between Akash, Morden’s lone ranger, and Waheed, Qaid RP.  Waheed had pedigree before his encounter with Akash having dumped reigning champion Rizwan out, this pedigree proved pivotal by edging out Akash 1-0.

The next game was between Usman and Tamoor, looking to avenge his defeat by Usman in the previous tournament. It was another tight affair, yet it was Tamoor who gained the upper hand by grabbing the only goal in the match. Kashif, the sole survivor from Sutton drew the short straw and was paired with Omar, the pro supreme of NM, and was duly brushed aside with a 4-0 loss. Omar + Barcelona = recipe for success.

Rahil attempted to make New Malden the dominant Qiadat  in the semi finals by taking on Musavar. Raheel had claimed although he was more of an Xbox/FIFA man, he would still win the competition because he was ‘sick’. Yet he failed to make the step up for Playstation 3/Pro Evo. Musavar, with an effortless swagger, disposed of Raheel. Musavar had created an air of supremacy around him in his previous games by talking on the phone whilst defeating his opponents. Rule No. 1. If you talk a big game, you must back it up. Musavar knew the rules - and was delivering.

Then the tournament got down to the serious business of the semi-finals. The stage where many dreams and hopes are shattered – will you go down in history or be just another afterthought? The first semi-final was between Waheed and Omar. Minutes prior to this game Omar gathered a scout report on Waheed by Rizwan. Omar then used all his experience (which is a lot) in football console games to defeat Waheed, with slick passing and through balls. The second semi-final was between Tamoor and Musavar. These two competitors had met earlier in the group stages and drawn. The stage was set for the score to be settled. Musavar brought along his ‘Pro Glasses’ - maybe this was some form of mind game to bamboozle Tamoor. Whatever it was it worked, racing into a 3-0 lead before Tamoor could only grab a late consolation goal.

The final: Omar v Musavar

So it all came down to this, Omar v Musavar. Even though it was a shot at personal glory the final ran much deeper than that. It was New Malden v Surbiton on New Malden’s own turf; New Malden could not lose here. Not now, not ever. It was FC Barcelona v Manchester United. The repeat of the 2009 Champions League Final, Qaid Sahib Masood Malik craved a NM/Barcelona victory. Bragging rights were on the table, and it all lay upon the much heralded pro skills of Omar.

The defeated competitors and excited spectators gathered around the TV to witness this final; they demanded a final worthy of their time. With the scene set, sweat dripping from the brows of the competitors. the screen suddenly went blank. The cause? Tamoor "accidentally" kicking the plug out of the socket. Although he claims it was not on purpose, reports have emerged of him kicking it in anger at his exit from the competition.

The match finally began, with SkySports cameras in tow (or Insert Name Sahib with his video camera). The match began tentatively with both competitors ensuring their opponent would not gain the upper hand. Musavar broke the deadlock using the skills of Cristiano Ronaldo to his advantage, causing NM supporters to bite their nails a bit more ferociously. Omar, reminiscent of his skill on a real life football pitch calmly got back into the game, yet his joy was short lived as Musavar again pulled into the lead.

With Imaad barking orders on the sidelines to Omar in how to score another goal, Omar was anxious to get back into the match. His endeavours paid off when Samuel Eto’o, literally ran through the United defence, leaving the match tightly balanced at 2-2. As the game started to move to its closing stages, the pattern of the match suggested Musavar would be victorious in the match considering he had always been in the lead. Then the moment came, the ‘David Beckham v Greece’ moment; Omar had a free kick just outside the box in the 85^th minute.

The ball flew into the net throwing the spectators in rapturous applause and noise, what a goal to win the competition, it deserved the acclaim. Omar and Musavar were worthy finalists ending the tournament with a great final.

Many thanks to those who turned out to make this event successful and thoroughly enjoyable. Special thanks must go to Usman Chaudhary – organiser of the event. His Maths teacher at Tiffin's would have been impressed with the way he handled the logistics of the event. Constantly updating the tournament table, answering the various questions regarding the tournament, whilst also ensuring the consoles and TV’s all arrived. Also thanks are extended to Waqas and Humza, who provided the food and drink for this event. Despite not taking part in the event they ensured their fellow brothers were well fed.