The
first Cup Semi-Final of the 2024 Amsterdam Sixes
brought together two teams with very different
histories in the tournament. Humble Goats, seasoned
veterans, were making their sixth Cup Semi-Final
appearance in as many tournaments. They had won
three of their previous five semi-finals and were
aiming to reach their fourth Cup Final. On the
other hand, Elderly Support, making their debut,
had impressed throughout the group stages and
were looking to continue their journey on what
was a fine first appearance so far.
From
the start, the experience of Humble Goats was
evident as they controlled the tempo of the game.
Elyas Boumejjane opened the scoring for the Goats,
giving them a 1-0 lead in the first half. Elderly
Support, despite their best efforts, found it
challenging to break through the well-organized
defense of the Goats.
At
halftime, the score remained 1-0, with Humble
Goats in the driver's seat. As the second half
kicked off, Elderly Support tried to mount a comeback,
but their efforts were thwarted by the disciplined
play of their opponents. Humble Goats had only
conceded once all day. The Goats' resilience at
the back paid off when Jeremy Freyne scored a
stunning free kick at the other end, doubling
their lead to 2-0 and providing them with a crucial
cushion.
Elderly
Support, undeterred, continued to push forward
in search of a goal, but the Humble Goats' backline
was able to repel everything thrown at them. As
the clock wound down, Jeremy Freyne struck again,
adding a third goal with the last kick of the
game to seal a comprehensive 3-0 victory for the
Humble Goats.
The
win secured Humble Goats' place in their fourth
Cup Final, highlighting their consistent excellence
in the tournament. Elderly Support, despite their
valiant effort and impressive debut performance,
fell just short against a highly experienced and
well-rounded team.
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The
second Cup Semi-Final of the 2024 Amsterdam
Sixes featured a clash between two unbeaten
teams, FC NoeNoe and Maai, who had both showcased
impressive form throughout the tournament. FC
NoeNoe topped Group A with three wins and two
draws, boasting the highest goal tally with
14 and the best goal difference of +9. Maai,
equally formidable, mirrored their rivals with
three wins and two draws, having scored 10 goals
and conceded just 5 (same as FC NoeNoe).
With
both teams displaying such similar statistics,
a close contest was anticipated. The game started
with both sides probing each other's defences,
but it was FC NoeNoe who took the lead before
halftime. The goal came under unfortunate circumstances
for Maai, as their goalkeeper fumbled a corner,
resulting in an own goal. This moment of despair
for the Maai goalkeeper and his team turned
the tide in FC NoeNoe's favor at a critical
juncture of the match (and the tournament).
At
halftime, FC NoeNoe held a slender 1-0 lead,
but the second half saw them firmly take control
of the game. Shakirullah Latifi extended their
lead with a well-taken goal, making it 2-0.
Maai, despite their efforts, struggled to regain
their early tournament form after the first
half setback. Haroun Kamarkheyl, a key player
for FC NoeNoe throughout the day, added to Maai's
woes by scoring a third goal, effectively sealing
the game. As the match neared its conclusion,
Munib Ur Rahman put the icing on the cake with
a final goal, wrapping up a comprehensive 4-0
victory for FC NoeNoe.
The
result was a testament to FC NoeNoe's clinical
finishing and solid defensive play, as they
booked their place in the Cup Final. For Maai,
the heavy defeat was a bitter end to an otherwise
impressive run, but they could hold their heads
high for their performances throughout the tournament.
Their group form showed they have what it takes
to compete at this level and potentially go
on and win a title.
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