Under the floodlights of Coyer Field, the United Premier Soccer League match burst into life on a brisk Wednesday night. FCY New York, with a stellar record of three victories and a draw, stood shoulder to shoulder with the underdogs of the evening, Sahara Gunners FC, coming in with a record of 1-4-1.
The evening was cold enough for the spectators to huddle, but perfect for the players on the pitch. FCY New York was in their prime, ready to attack, while the Sahara Gunners seemed to nurse the wounds and a little banged up from their previous defeat against United Elite Krajisnik FC.
The match sprang to life with the Gunners crafting an intricate play until an incisive counter from FCY in the 3rd minute saw Witman Hernandez, #17, toppled inside the 18-yard box. A penalty was awarded. Stepping up to the plate, Ali Alomari, FCY’s #10, dispatched it with ease into the back netting for the opener. However, their joy was short-lived as Sahara’s talisman, Zak Shaibi, equalized from the spot just five minutes later after being taken down in the FCYNY box by FCYNY’s CB #22 Adam Saif.
The rhythm of the game continued to ebb and flow. FCY’s Alomari, in the 14th minute, orchestrated a mesmerizing move which unfortunately didn’t have the finish it deserved. FCY started dictating the tempo around the 20th minute. By the 40th minute, their dominance paid dividends as a well-delivered corner from #11 LB Jabreel Almontaser found FCY #7 Ali Shawish, whose header restored FCY’s lead. They tried to add another, but a shot from Diego Rivera kissed the side netting as the first half ended with FCY leading 2-1.
The second half unfolded with FCY continuing their combo play dictating proceedings from the middle of the park but always seeming a little off on the final pass. An injury-enforced change saw Spencer Catalano come in for FCY veteran Andy Queen as the FCY goalie. Meanwhile, Sahara’s best chance to equalize came and went, with no one there to meet the promising cross from there wide player #7 Breandon Kirwan. FCY kept pressuring, but Ali Alomari’s shot attempt at goal skewed wide right.
As Sahara Gunners sat back and launched long counterattacks with Zak, the FCY back four defense remained steadfast. The breakthrough for FCY came in the 73rd minute via a corner kick. The ball ricocheted off a few players before landing perfectly for FCY’s #19 Moe Saif to volley it home. Sahara keeper C. Christie was injured on the play and had to leave the pitch.
Pressure from FCY led to a promising opportunity with FCYNY’s playmaker #9 Ali Mohammed and Witman Hernandez combining well, but the Sahara keeper made a great save. An awarded Sahara’s late free kick in the 90th minute was comfortably dealt with by the FCY wall.
In the dying embers of the game, FCY’s Ali Alomari found himself in a one-on-one situation, managing to get past the Sahara left back and coolly slotted home. Thus, the curtain was drawn on the match with FCY New York victorious at 4-1.
Overall good game with UPSL new league member Sahara showings promising moments of creative combination play, but overall it was a night for FCY to be happy about going into a 1 day rest before facing UPSL’s second Buffalo squad the Killimanjaro Bandits on Friday at Coyer.
FCY New York’s starting lineup featured Andy Queen, Jabreel Almontaser, Abdulgawi Albari, Adam Saif, Hussain Omar, Ali Shawish, Mohammed Saif, Ali Alomari, Ali Mohamed, Diego Rivera & Witman Hernandez. Substitutes included Roshanali Hamza & Chris Inganji, Spencer Catalano, Patrick Logsdon, Jack Root, Mo Channer, Mustafa Alfurat.
Streaming Live Match by Joel Balthasar and commentary provided by Ramsey Abdulmalik & Yasin Abdulla (Yodder)
WATCH THE GAME ON FCY New York’s YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB9mRaNmupA
