Published on Dec 25 2009 by Nazim Sehat-e-Jismani (Sports): Imaad Bajwa

 

According to dictionary.com, the word ‘thrashing’ means a ‘severe beating’ – yet after this result surely that does a disservice to the performance against Baitul Futuh, the word also means a physical assault, yet I can assure you the New Malden players were on their best behaviour.

In a result that will surely send shockwaves across the IQFL, the NM team made light work of the 2009 Regional Ijtema Champions by putting 10 past Baitul Futuh without a single reply. Captain Tamoor was spoilt for choice in selection, as he had two of the most technically gifted midfielders in the league in the form of Sajeel Shah and Yaaser Vanderman returning to action, adding to the talent already at his disposal.

Tamoor put in a Alan Shearer captain-esque performance contributing five goals to the overall tally, the Vanderman brothers were at their telepathic best with a goal apiece, Aneel added two and Sajeel Shah marked his NM debut with a goal to embarrass Baitul Futuh, which allegedly caused its captain to throw a fit reminiscent of the infamous William Gallas incident, such was his anger at his team's annihilation.

To be honest, with a team this strong a narrow victory for NM would have been flattering for Baitul Futuh. Despite his heroics in the previous game, Rizwan’s services were no longer required as Shahid wanted to reaffirm his position as NM No.1, and also to put a stop to the rumours that have appeared in previous match reports about his high roller lifestyle(!). Raheel and Humza started the game on the wings, Yaaser slotted into the central midfield position and Tamoor again started as the centre forward.

NM started off with a bang after Tamoor produced a brilliant individual move, cutting in from the right flank and smashing the ball into the net with his left foot. Tamoor was sporting his new Nike boots, which he claimed was partly the reason for his performance, Nike are now set to offer him a lucrative sponsorship deal worth 5 rupees and entrance into the V.I.P tent for Jalsa Salana 2010. After this it was a case of goals galore, with NM racing into a 7-0 lead at half time – one of the highlights being a Humza goal, in which he bamboozled his marker on the wing with his trickery before launching a rocket into the top left corner. Such was Humza’s performance and skill, those on the sidelines dubbed him the New Malden ‘Lionel Messi’.

NM added three goals in the second half, with Yaaser marking his debut for this season with a goal after coolly slotting the ball in the net with his left foot, and Aneel added two goals of his own yet he was far from pleased with his captain Tamoor who denied him a hatrick after ‘accidentally’ getting his foot on the end of his goal bound shot. The match was less about the score-line though, more about the scintillating passing and interplay by NM which drew gasps from the sidelines.

Baitul Futuh did not have a chance of note, and for most of the game they were merely chasing the ball with NM controlling possession with precise passing. The Vanderman brothers ran the show, a true reflection of ‘game intelligence’, always looking for a pass, moving into the right places, so much so that their last name could be Dutch after all – Humza and Yaaser Van-Der-Man sounds about right?

NM’s major summer signing Sajeel returned from injury with a debut goal despite carrying a slight knock. His return will only boost NM’s credentials as champions and strike fear into the rest of the teams in the league. This was one of the best NM performances since the inception of the IQFL, the defensive duo of Omar and Sulman have now kept two clean sheets in a row against fearsome attacks and the attacking qualities of the NM team is both vast and talented – watch out Worcester Park, we’re coming!

A word of praise for Masood Malik, our respected Qaid – never has NM had such vocal (loud) encouragement with such passion. For an Arsenal supporter, resistant to publicly display his jubilation at the Emirates - he does indeed - make the exception for NM fixtures on a Friday night; maybe some Lempsip is in order! The next game is against Sutton (the team that finished bottom last season) on Friday 22nd January. A New Malden victory? Bet on it – actually don’t.