And then there were four! The inaugural edition of TAL Cup started with 24 teams and now with the semi-finals beckoning, four teams out of those 24 remain. We take a look at the team’s journies till here and what lies ahead.
Title favourites Horizons FC will play their old foes and TAL veterans Yataghan Internazionale while the other semi-final has two division 2 sides going up each other in Emdee Al-Fateh and Athlos United.
Horizons FC
Perennial title favourites (for the league) Horizons FC find themselves within reach of silverware and we can go as far as to say that it’s theirs to lose. The league title has eluded them for two seasons now and them lifting the cup might be redemption, especially after defeating title rivals Parikrma in the quarterfinals.
They coasted through the group stage against tough opponents in Titans FC and Project 7. The Parikrma match in the quarterfinals was a tough one and the game ended 0-0 in regulation time but Horizons managed to win the penalty shootout. The nail-biting finish was only extenuated by a strategic change in goalkeeper half way through the shootout that saw the versatile Barry Anand make the switch to gloves and in the end that made all the difference.
They now have a semi-final clash with Yataghan Internazionale in the pipeline, a clash that is bound that have a heated a moment or two. The teams have played each other multiple times before and although Horizons have won all three previous encounters, the matches have been extremely close and intense, setting up a mouthwatering semi-final to watch.
Player to watch out for: Magesh D - After missing the quarterfinal clash due to personal reasons, the forward will be back and is expected to cause havoc up front.
Yataghan Internazionale
Yataghan Internazionale’s record in the cup is impressive, having scored 6 goals and only conceding 1 in three games, but none of their opposition have been at the standard of Horizons. They will have to bring their ‘A’ game and also fully live up to the expectation of being a physical side if they are to cause an upset.
They have played Horizons thrice before and have lost all three but two of them were by slender margins, games they would feel they should have got something out of. This match potentially represents redemption time for them but they are playing a side who themselves are on a vindication mission. With both sides potentially having something more than just a win to play for, we expect an intense match.
Yataghan will probably stick to their compact style of play but Jay Singadia and Jerald Manoj will be expected not to waste any opportunities in front of goal, which will be far and few. The defensive pairing of Kartik Singh and Andreas Lehmann should be effective while Sudha Nagarajan and Mark Alzawhra will complete a flat four at the back.
Player to watch out for: Kevin George - The tall forward is fully fit this season and looks to be in good form. His inclusion in the starting 11 might determine the formation and tactics.
Emdee Al-Fateh
Al-Fateh put in an emphatic performance against Gremio FC in the quarter-final to set up a clash against division rivals Athlos United. They were favourites to get out of their group, but they found the competition tougher than expected, with both Diablos and Mercurial battling it out till the end in intense matches and both lost only by slender margins.
However, they more than made up for it when they scored four goals past a strong Gremio side. Shariq Sheriff was in top form and scored a brace, while the injured Nihal Colaco played the game with a mask and managed to open the scoring. Although the scoreline was a bit biased towards Al-Fateh, there was no doubt who the better side was, and they will be expected to bring out the same attacking intensity against Athlos United.
Captain Zaib Sherief will have a big role to play in this game as Athlos are able and willing to sit back in position and play strategically. Central defender Jonathan Piers has been in excellent form and will also have an important role to keep out Athlos on the counter attack.
Player to watch out for: Stalin Daniel – The winger missed the quarter-final clash against Gremio but had scored in both their group stage games. If he is fit, he will be called upon to break down the tight defensive line that Athlos will set up.
Athlos United
Athlos United caused an upset over Rare Dare FC in the quarter-finals but deservedly claim a spot in the semifinals. They have not conceded a single goal yet in three games but have only scored 2, both coming against Kudlu on the opening day.
They have now played out two consecutive goalless draws (against Supernova in the group stage and Rare Dare in the Quarterfinals) and need to find a way to get goals. Having said that, their defence seems to be rock solid at the back despite them missing their star defender Mohammed Arsahque.
Imdad KP has not been in form up front and he will need to step it up if Athlos are to find the back of the net against Al-Fateh. Vijay Thapa has been in good form in midfield while Anurag Negi will have to find a way to link up the midfield to the attack.
Going into the game, they might be perceived as underdogs but the talent they possess in the squad is enough for them to compete against anyone, especially if they play the same way as they did in the quarterfinals. Their keepers – Sachin Anand or Nitesh Pandey, will have to be on top of their game with Al-Fateh.
Player to watch out for: Sabarish Kannan – The diminutive winger’s pace can be the game changer and will be a focal outlet on the counterattacks. If Athlos are to pull off an upset, he might be the man to go to.
Predictions:
Semifinal 1:
Horizons FC v Yataghan Internazionale
Crystal Ball: Horizons FC (1) – (0) Yataghan Internazionale
Semifinal 2:
Emdee Al-Fateh v Athlos United
Crystal Ball: Emdee Al-Fateh (1) – (1) Athlos United (Athlos United to go through on penalties)
