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Day1:
The Karachi United team gathered at the Karachi
International Airport at four in the morning, the excitement
over taking the sleep for most. After a smooth journey to
Qatar, the squad and management got their rooms assigned in
the early hours of the day.
However, before everyone could
get their much wanted beauty sleep, the whole squad had to
gather in Adeel's room for a talk by the KU officialss,
mainly led by Arshian who put into perspective what the tour
means to everyone and the club; and gave us details on what
to expect in the forthcoming days. Despite no sleep for most
the previous night, everyone's stomach demanded food
instead, so a light breakfast and then some shut eye was on
the cards. After some rest and lunch in the hotel, soon
departure time for the game arrived. After some pre-match
routines everyone gathered in the lobby to wait for the team
bus. The match was to be held in the stadium of the Al-Ahli
Club and all the players entered the stadium in awe. The
stadium was enough to get the adrenaline pumping; a stadium
which had an uncanny resemblance to the People's Stadium
back in Karachi. Everyone booted up and went on to the pitch
to get into their warm up routine. After an extended warm
up, we all went back to the luxurious dressing room for some
tactics and talks by the coaches. Before we knew it we all
were walking on to the well lit stadium and into the huddle.
Words exchanged. Spirits high. Now time to get to business.
KU started off well keeping it tight and creating many clear
cut chances. Not only did we match up to the opposition but
bettered them for most of the first half. Yet poor composure
in front of goal led to a deadlock at half time. Second half
the team came out more rejuvenated than ever, coming out and
playing some excellent football. However, still KU could not
relate their performance on to the score line, and
eventually conceded a penalty from a corner for an
unfortunate handball. From that KU went 1-0 down and soon
after were 2-0 down after an excellent effort from long
range. Heads started to drop and despite getting many more
chances to score, no one could put the ball into the back of
the net. Towards the end Al-Ahli broke from a corner and
scored to make it 3-0, a scoreline which seemed a bit unfair
to the performance put in by the squad. Yet we went back
onto the bus heads held high knowing everyone gave in one
hundered percent and matched them on the pitch, just not the
scoreline. Back to the hotel for showers and then out for a
casual dinner at Burger King. Everyone got a chance to
unwind and talk about the game and upcoming schedule. Soon
we were back on the bus to the hotel, and after a long 20
hours, everyone just wanted to hit their beds.
Day 2
A bit weary from last night's game, everyone returned to the
Al-Ahli stadium for a morning training session. The coaches
worked on basics and mistakes made in the game yesterday,
however the intense head did not allow everyone to keep up
on last night's high energy levels. Nonetheless a productive
training session wrapped up by the team talk where all the
players gave feedback from last night's game. The heat and
the lack of fluid intake resulted in a couple of people
falling victim to dehydration. However, everyone got the
evening off with a chance to shower, enjoy a meal, and kick
back and relax. Afternoon activities invloved playing pranks
on each other, with everyone still surprisingly energetic.
The room to room dashing and ragging continued till the
energy levels fell. With the evening off, we got the chance
to visit a nice local mall, where the squad indulged in
activities ranging from playing pool to buying stacks of
chocolates and due to majority vote - Burger King again.
Soon we all headed back on the bus to the hotel and got a
chance to unwind before an early start tomorrow.
Day 3
We
collected in the hotel lobby as per norm and soon were on
the vans, on our way to the world renowned Aspire - School
of Excellence for many sports; one of them of course being
football. As the Aspire set up came into our view, everyone
stared in awe at the many stadiums' design and structure.
The whole area consisting of the Aspire academy extended
beyond our horizon. After a few moments, we were joined by
two coaches from Aspire, one a Britisher and another an
Aussie, by the looks of their accents. They led us through
to some nicely laid astroturf pitches, and soon we were all
eagerly booted and stepped on to the pitch. The Aussie Coach
first led us into a warm up/strength and quickness regime
and then we switched to the British coach - Simon, who
focused on passing and receiving, moving to opening up and
then shooting. The general consensus being that the session
was useful and worked on the little things in football that
we sometimes are neglectful or unaware of. After the
session, one of Aspire's people showed us around their
amazing campus, full of indoor air conditioned, well lighted
football pitches, basketball courts, running tracks and
gymnastic equipment. It was a place which just made everyone
dream to be a part of. Soon we were on the bus back to the
hotel and the guys got a chance to help themselves to a nice
lunch and some rest in the afternoon. Later in the evening,
the squad got a chance to have a relaxing swimming session,
which mostly consisted of everyone splashing off the diving
board. Even our very own Adeel Rizki and Arshian Ali stepped
up to the diving board! After a lot of laughs in the pool,
we headed towards the Al-Ahli stadium to watch a game
between a local team and an Al-Ahli team. We then dashed
towards dinner and went back to the hotel to wrap up another
smooth day.
Day 4
An early
morning as usual, the squad in routine waiting in the lobby
for the bus to take us to the training pitch. Despite the
scorching heat the players were ready to work hard before
the upcoming games. The session consisted mainly of set
pieces and was generally light since we had an afternoon
practice game coming up. Soon it was back to the hotel for
some freshening up and lunch before the game. After some
relaxing time spent in the rooms playing cards or just
kicking around a small football, it was time to get on the
bus and leave for the next game at the M.E.S. Indian School.
The game was finalised last minute with a local school, to
get some match practice before the big games on the 10th and
11th. On arrival, a few eyes widened not expecting such a
tattered ground on this tour. However such were the poor
conditions of the ground, and the players had to adapt. KU
started with a younger eleven to give them some much needed
match practice before the upcoming competitive matches. The
first half was a poor KU performance but with changes in the
second half KU fought back after falling down 1-0 initially.
The players in the second half adapted excellently to the
conditions and played with pace and direct football,
creating plenty of chances, yet the M.E.S goalkeeper from
karachi (coincidentally) pulled off save after save to guide
the home team to a 1-0 win. Again an undeserving scoreline
to KU retrospect of the performance. We headed back to the
hotel and soon to a dinner, hosted by our local sponsor,
Habib Qatar Exchange, at his house. Some nice Pakistani food
at last, and then back to the hotel for some bonding time
with the guys.
Day 5
Another
day, but a free morning this time after a game the previous
night and with a hectic schedule coming up. People slept in
and had some fun before heading off to an early lunch. After
lunch it was off to do some shopping at the mall, and then
went off to Aspire to watch the Danish team (staying at our
hotel) match up against the Aspire academy. The Under 14
match saw some brilliant touches by the Danish team that
left us in the stands 'ooohing' and 'ahhing'. Some excellent
movement and football to watch and soon we were back to the
hotel for some rest before an evening training session at
the Al-Ahli stadium. We mainly worked on finishing on the
slightly miniature pitch; ending up with an eleven a side
match, Rizki 11 versus Arshian 11. A match that was played
at an extremely high intensity. A solid practise winded up
with dinner at subway and then back to the hotel.
Day 6
Another
free morning due to the up coming game against Al-Saad
Sports Club. Most of the boys slept in late and relaxed a
bit before lunch time. Soon it was time to board the bus and
travelled to the Al-Saad stadium. The dressing rooms was one
of the nicest ever been in any everyone seemed pumped up to
get the results going our way. KU started off again with a
few key players rested for the match against Al-Ahli the
next day. It was even the stevens till half time, both teams
matching each other with few chances. Seoncd half came with
many KU substitutions, and soon Kareem Kerai stepped up with
a dipping shot from long range to give KU a one nil lead.
However the opposition number 20 created havoc in the KU
defense leading to KU losing the lead and grip on the match,
going 2-1 down. KU kept threatening and finally got a well
deserved goal from a deep Ali free kick. Celebrations all
around and 2-2 the final score as KU manage to salvage a
draw after some mistakes in defense. Everyone unwinded in
the dressing room before heading to the mall for dinner. We
all hunted down tables to eat on the enjoyed some Hardees
burgers before going to the hotel. Everyone stayed up and
payed a visit to the coffee room, most of which was spent
eating and staring at people passing by.
Day 7
The final
day arrived, again with everyone getting up late at their
own convenience. Soon it was time for lunch and to pack up,
lock our suitcases and head out of the hotel to the Al-Ahli
stadium for our last hurrah. Everyone got booted up and
warmed up, ready to go with eager faces looking to get a
result. KU started off well watching them, but a collective
mistake at the back and KU were one nil down come half time.
However, KU rejuvenated came out in the second half with all
guns blazing, and played with high intensity and some
excellent football. The players got in behind the Al-Ahli
defense on numerous ocassions while keeping it very tight
and organised at the back. With extreme desire and playing
with a big heart, Zaid got on the end of two goals to put KU
one goal to the good. Soon Al-Ahli piled on the pressure but
KU defended resoundingly, and got lucky on the third
consecutive corner near the end as it juggled around in the
box and went in, to go 3-1. Soon the final whistle blew and
everyone went hysteric with euphoria. A memorable win for
the club. Soon we had to quickly shower and get ready in the
dressing room and head for the dinner arranged by Al-Ahli.
However, sooner rather than later, we were heading off
towards the airport, back on the plane to Karachi for a
reluctant goodbye.
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