By Shahrukh Sohail, FPDC Islamabad Correspondent.
Islamabad: The Grand Finale of the Islamabad Football Associations Private Schools Tournament was played in the Majestic Jinnah Stadium here on Friday between Headstart and Beaconhouse.
The Atmosphere was electric as both teams were yet to suffer a defeat in the tournament and a large crowd only added to the nervousness of the players.
After kickoff, Headstart piled on the early pressure but the Beacon house defense stood tight. But in the 20 Minute, Beacon house conceded after a brilliant passing move by Headstart when the goal kick, came straight to the Headstart Winger Shahrukh Sohail and his neat first touch released Striker Ibrahim Naveed whose flick was well read by the other Striker Awwab Awan and after some great footwork, he finished brilliantly into the left corner to give Headstart a well deserved lead. Beacon house were taken by surprise, but continued to pile on the pressure and nearly scored from a corner but the sharp reflexes of the winger Abdullah Mirza thwarted them. Shortly Beacon had two Free kicks easily saved by the Headstart Goalkeeper Omer Idrees. And at the interval, Headstart were 1-0 up.
After Halftime Headstart made only one substitution bringing on Raamis Razaaq for Daniyal Arif, but the score remained the same, with Beacon house spurring several chances to draw things level. Awwab Awan was having a frustrating time after his goal, as he was declared offside a number of times. Headstart piled on further pressure, when Ahsan Khan came on for Ibrahim Naveed who pulled a Hamstring. Headstart were clearly looking to seal the win, as Abdullah Mirza and Captain Shadman Khan both tried their luck from long distance but their efforts were agonizingly wide.
The big moment of the match came when Headstart conceded a penalty, as Defender Harris Azhar put in a strong two footed challenge on the Beacon Striker. With the crowd holding their breath, the Striker put his effort over the bar, much to the delight of the Headstart supporters.
Headstart sealed their win, when Beacon conceded a Free kick outside the box. And the Captain Shadman Khan duly stepped up and scored a breathtaking goal with almost Ronaldo like Ability. The final whistle erupted with huge cries of the Supporters as they ran onto the Pitch to celebrate a well deserved victory.
The IFA President Dr Fazal-ul-Rehman and Reactor Care University Brig (R) Aqbal Shaffi were on hand to hand the Trophy over to the enthralled Headstart Team, but the Boys could not take all the credit as it was also due to the Hard work of the Headstart Coach Azam Ali Noon that they were crowned the Champions of Islamabad.
