The 21st Edition of KUSC - Senior Boys Karachi

Senior Boys Karachi

Seeding

The seeding of the schools/colleges were based on their previous 5 years performance and was as follows –
1) Nixor College – Defending champions
2) Cedar College DHA
3) Alpha College
4) Aga Khan HSS Karimabad
5) Karachi Grammar School
6) Whales College
7) The Lyceum
8) Generation’s School
9) Sceptre College – top 8 ranking was lost due to disciplinary action taken in the previous KUSC for fielding ineligible players
10) The City School PAF
11) Bahria College Karsaz
12) Habib Public School
13) Credo College
14) Karachi Public School
15) Bahria College NORE
16) Cedar College PECHS

The KUSC trophy before the final.

Match Officials

For the fourth year running and their third full year, the referee panel was led by Asif Ghani. The complete list of officials was as follows:
Match commissioner – Asif Ghani
Match referee – Fazal Hussain
Match referee – Talha Saleem
Match referee – Shahnawaz Baloch
Match referee – Shams Nasir
Match referee – Hammad Jutt
Ball boy – Ejaz Abdul Sattar
Medic – Zohaib Baig

Referee Fazal Hussain officiated the Karachi final between Nixor College and Credo College.

The referee panel before the KUSC Karachi knockouts.

Groups

The groups for the senior boy’s category were as follows –

Group A – Nixor College, Bahria College Karsaz, SMS Aga Khan – Morning, Army Public School Malir
Group B – Alpha College, Habib Public School, Wahaj Hussain Schooling System, Army Public School COD
Group C – Aga Khan HSS Karimabad, The City School PAF, Alpha High School, The Concept School
Group D – Whales College, Cedar College PECHS, Aga Khan Garden, Adler College
Group E – The Lyceum, Karachi Public School, Beaconhouse College Program, Bahria Foundation College
Group F – Karachi Grammar School, Credo College, NCR-CET, Meritorious High
Group G – Generation’s School, Bahria College NORE, SMS Aga Khan – Evening, Hueser College
Group H – Cedar College DHA, Sceptre College, Happy Palace Grammar School, Montessori Complex Cambridge

Group Stages

The group stage matches were held at Gizri Stadium.

Group A

Defending champions Nixor College topped their group whilst Bahria College Karsaz finished second. Army Public School Malir, participating for the first time in KUSC, put in a strong performance throughout, but finished outside the qualifying spots.

Nixor College after winning their opening match against Bahria College Karsaz.

Group B

Alpha College were expected to top the group with ease. However, draws to WHSS and APS COD resulted in them finishing as runners-up whilst Habib Public School topped.

Habib Public School topped their group ahead of favorites Alpha College.

Group C

The Concept School, participating for the first time, put in an impressive display and managed to draw with heavyweights Aga Khan HSS and The City School PAF. These crucial 2 points alongside a win against Alpha High put them through to the next round as group runners-up with Aga Khan HSS as winners.

Despite losing a 2-0 lead against The Concept School, Aga Khan HSS Karimabad held on for a draw to top their group.

Group D

Whales College put no time to waste as they won all 3 matches to top the group. Cedar College PECHS finished as runners-up.

Whales College started their campaign brightly, scoring 21 goals, joint second highest, and conceding just once.

Group E

Considered to be the most open group in the tournament, the battle for top spot was tight. The Lyceum only managed draws against BCP PECHS and KPS, with the latter dominating them throughout. BCP vs KPS then became and do-or-die match for both teams, more so for KPS requiring a win to progress. KPS managed to come back from 3-0 down to 3-2 before BCP held on to qualify and eliminate KPS. A brawl broke out with the full time whistle, with 6 players being shown the red card, 3 from each side. BCP would go on to the Ro16 with 4 players suspended, 3 for their part in the brawl and 1 for a double yellow.

BCP PECHS players celebrate a 3-0 lead against KPS, before finishing 3-2 to see out the match.

Group F

Incidentally, the only match Credo College lost in the tournament was against KGS. Although missing key players at the time, Credo then finished the group as runners-up as KGS topped the group.

Mahad Faisal and Rayan Akhlaq celebrate their 3-0 win against Credo College.

Group G

Generation’s School, on the back of their fairytale finish last season were the 8th seeded team this year. However, in the match against Heuser, both their key players were given red cards who then missed the top of the group clash against Bahria NORE. Generation’s School lost the match 3-0 as Bahria NORE topped the group.

Bahria College NORE put in a dominant display against Generation’s to top Group G.

Group H

Semi-finalists in the previous edition, both Cedar College DHA and Sceptre College were looking to gain bragging rights in this key fixture as the winner would top the group. A narrowly contested match, Cedar edged out Sceptre to win 2-1 on their way to top the group. Sceptre, meanwhile had players missing for the key fixture against Happy Palace Grammar School. A mistake by the HPGS keeper to concede the penalty whilst 1-0 up resulted in Sceptre equalizing. The finish allowed them to go through to the next round on goal difference.

Cedar College DHA celebrate the winner, scored by Adan Abdullah, as they edge out Sceptre College with a 2-1 vicotry.

Knockouts

Following the intense group stage battles, the knockout round matchups were finalized with A1 facing off against D2 and B1 against C2, and so on. The Ro16 matches were as follows –

Round of 16

Nixor College 5 – 1 Cedar College PECHS
Habib Public School 5 – 0 The Concept School
BCP PECHS 1 – 7 Sceptre College
Generation’s School 0 – 2 Karachi Grammar School
Whales College 3 – 1 Bahria College Karsaz
Alpha College 3 (4) – 3 (2) Aga Khan HSS Karimabad
Bahria College NORE 0 – 4 Credo College
Cedar College DHA 11 – 0 The Lyceum

The Round of 16s provided some very interesting matches. BCP PECHS players were serving suspensions, hence were without their main players. KGS were looking to put demons to bed with their un-ceremonial exit in the previous year against Generation’s School as they won 2-0 against them. The highlight of the match was when KGS goalkeeper, Ammar Tapal, kicked the ball from his own half and the ball bounced over the Generation’s keeper for the 2nd and winning goal for KGS. Alpha College produced a stunning comeback mirroring Liverpool’s comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul 2005. After being 3-0 at half-time, coach Javed Arab rallied his troops as Alpha pulled back to equalize. Captain and goalkeeper Musab Khan was the hero as Alpha College went on to win 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out.

Musab Khan, captain, goalkeeper, and the hero for Alpha College in the penalty shootout against Aga Khan HSS Karimabad.

Quarterfinals

As the tournament entered the quarter-finals, the stage was set for blockbuster matchups.

Nixor College 4 – 0 Habib Public School
Sceptre College 1 – 2 Karachi Grammar School
Whales College 2 – 0 Alpha College
Cedar College DHA 2 (2) – 2 (4) Credo College

Nixor College 4 – 0 Habib Public School

Nixor’s great form continued into the quarter-finals with the tournament top scorer Ashaar Rashid finding the back of the net multiple times. Things went from bad to worse for Habib Public School after their captain and talisman, Dilawar Humayun, was sent off following an altercation with the Nixor full-back, Abdullah Lohya.

Dilawar Humayun is given his marching orders after picking up a 2nd yellow card.

Sceptre College 1 – 2 Karachi Grammar School

After an uneventful 1st half, Sceptre College opened the scoring early in the 2nd half. Halfway through the half, a brawl broke out after a tackle by Sceptre on KGS. The resultant brawl saw both involved in the initial break out be sent off. 2 more players from the KGS bench were also sent off for sprinting onto the pitch and try to be a part of the altercation. KGS then won a freekick in the 2nd minute of extra time which saw Rayan Akhlaq score directly as the Sceptre keeper was off his line. KGS won another freekick in the 6th minute of extra time. Rayan Akhlaq took it once again and Mahad Faisal toe-poked the ball whilst in the air past the oncoming keeper to score the winner.

Mahad Faisal after the scoring the winner in the 6th minute of stoppage time.

Whales College 2 – 0 Alpha College

Alpha on the back of their impressive display were kept at bay by Whales College, who put in an impressive performance. Whales went on to score early and then late in the match to secure a spot in the semis, thus eliminating Alpha for the second year running in the KOs.

Kumayl Mazahir of Alpha College in action against Inshaal Ali of Whales College.

Cedar College DHA 2 (2) – 2 (4) Credo College

Cedar College DHA were coming of the the back of an 11-0 victory and they started brightly by scoring directly from the corner kick in the opening minutes. Credo pulled themselves back in the game and scored twice to lead 2-1. Cedar found the back of the net in the dying minutes of the 2nd half to force the match into a penalty shootout. Captain Rayyan of Credo took the gloves for the shootout, as he saved multiple penalties from Cedar to power Credo to their first semi-final.

Rayyan Shahid saved twice during the penalty shootout against Cedar College DHA.

Semifinals

3 of the 4 teams in the semi-finals had been at this stage in previous editions of the KUSC, the exception being Credo College who were in their first ever semi-final. The semi-finals were as follows –

Nixor College 1 (5) – 1 (4) Karachi Grammar School
Whales College 1(4) – 1(5) Credo College

Nixor College 1 (5) – 1 (4) Karachi Grammar School

Both teams started the match evenly and had quite uneventful 1st half. Early in the 2nd half KGS opened the scoring through Rayan Akhlaq. This was the first time that Nixor went behind in the tournament. This did not stop them as Nixor bounced back and Ashaar found the back of the net to put them back on level terms. Momentum was with Nixor and as both teams finished with a goal apiece at the end of normal time. In the first minute of extra time, Shahmeer Nadir of KGS got a goal line clearance to keep KGS at parity. The match went on to a penalty shootout, with both coaches bringing on their substitute keeper for the shootouts. The hero of extra time for KGS, Shahmeer Nadir, missed the final penalty as Nixor went on to book their spot in the finals.

Izhan Sheikh, the substitute keeper of Nixor College who came on near the end of the 2nd half of extra time, with the save in the penultimate shot of the shootout.

Whales College 1 (4) – 1 (5) Credo College

An even-sided match, Whales opened the scoring through Hadi in the 18th minute. Credo came out in attacking in the 2nd half, and on the hour mark, Abdul Ahad won a penalty. Rayyan scored from the spot to bring them on level terms before the match went on to the penalty shootout. Captain Rayyan once again stepped up to don the gloves as he ensured that Credo went on to their maidan final.

Ahmed Hussain runs off to celebrate with the team after scoring the winning penalty.

3rd Place Playoff

Karachi Grammar School 2 – 0 Whales College

KGS and Whales have history and both were playing for a consolation and bragging rights. Both sides started the match brightly, but it was Whales who came close and struck the crossbar. A long range grounded effort by Mustafa Khan found the back of the net after an error by the Whales keeper broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. In the 43rd minute, a collision between KGS GK Ammar Tapal and Whales FW Ammar Sheikh saw the latter being stretched off as he was unable to continue. On the hour mark, Shahmeer Nadir scored to extend KGS’s lead to 2 goals.

Ammar Sheikh of Whales College being stretched off after a collision with Ammar Tapal, the KGS goalkeeper.

KGS players celebrate after scoring their second goal.

Final

Nixor College 0 – 2 Credo College

Background

The defending champions, Nixor College, were back in the final and facing them were Credo College, in their maidan final. Nixor College, who were a shadow of their former selves, were looking to become the record breaking 7-time KUSC champions. Credo College were under the leadership of Ali Messum who was in his first full year as head coach. On their way to the final, they knocked out big names such as Cedar College DHA and Whales College. Furthermore, they were looking to go all the way for the first time in their history.

Road to the Final

Nixor College

Group Stage – Nixor College 3-0 Bahria College Karsaz – Win
Group Stage – Nixor College 6-1 Army Public School Malir – Win
Group Stage – Nixor College 7-0 SMS Aga Khan Morning – Win
Round of 16 – Nixor College 5-1 Cedar College PECHS – Win
Quarter Final – Nixor College 4-0 Habib Public School – Win
Semi-Final – Nixor College 1(5)-1(4) Karachi Grammar School – Win

Credo College

Group Stage – Credo College 5-1 Meritorious High – Win
Group Stage – Credo College 0-3 Karachi Grammar School – Loss
Group Stage – Credo College 7-1 NCR-CET – Win
Round of 16 – Credo College 4-0 Bahria College NORE – Win
Quarter-Final – Credo College 2(4)-2(2) Cedar College DHA – Win
Semi-Final – Credo College 1(5)-1(4) Whales College – Win

First Half

Both teams came out strong but it was Credo who pounced on Nixor mistake in the 23rd minute. Nixor’s right center back Shazil Naveed played a heavy pass across the line to left center back Usman Mazahir, which was out of his reach. Credo’s right winger Ahmed Hussain grabbed the opportunity to intercept the ball and be through on goal. Usman hauled him back by pulling his jersey inside the box. The subsequent foul resulted in Usman being cautioned and Ahmed winning a penalty, which Credo’s captain, Rayyan Shahid, slot home to open the scoring.

Usman Mazahir is shown the yellow card after he concedes the penalty.

Second Half

Throughout the second half, Nixor were searching for an equalizer and came agonizingly close. Credo were looking to put the game to bed alongside disrupting Nixor’s attacks. In the 78th minute, two minutes from full time, Abdul Ahad of Credo smashed the ball in the top corner whilst under pressure from defenders and extended the lead to two goals. With little to no time left, Nixor players were left dishearten, but were still looking to score. However, the resilient Credo defense stood tall and became the first team to not allow Ashaar Rashid from scoring. The full-time whistle was music to Credo’s ears as Ali Messum led his team to victory. Moreover, Credo College would go on to play the winner of the KUSC Lahore leg in the KUSC Super Cup.

Abdul Ahad after slotting the ball home in the top corner, which would be the winner for Credo College.

Awards

After the dust settled on yet another unforgettable tournament, individual and team excellence was recognized with the following awards.

Team Awards

Winners – Credo College
Runners-up – Nixor College
3rd Place – Karachi Grammar School
Fair Play Award – Nixor College

Coach Ali Messum of Credo College celebrating with his team after their first ever KUSC title.

Individual Awards

MVP – Rayyan Shahid (Credo College)
Golden Boot – Ashaar Rashid – 18 goals (Nixor College)
Golden Glove – Ammar Tapal (Karachi Grammar School)
Emerging Player – Abdul Ahad (Credo College)
Best Coach – Ali Messum (Credo College)
People’s Choice Award – Safiullah (Whales College)

Ashaar Rashid celebrates after scoring his 14th goal of the tournament. He finished the tournament with 18 goals, the highest ever by a Golden Boot winner.

Team of the Tournament

At the conclusion of the tournament, a team of the tournament was announced.
Head Coach Ali Messum (Credo College)
4-3-3

GK Ammar Tapal (Karachi Grammar School)
RB Arhum Asim (Credo College)
RCB Safiullah (Whales College)
LCB Rayyan Shahid (Credo College) (captain)
LB Aali Mirza (Karachi Grammar School)
RCM Taha Sheikh (Credo College)
CM Hamza Ali (Whales College)
LCM Huzaifa Mushtaq (Nixor College)
RW Rayan Akhlaq (Karachi Grammar School)
LW Abdul Ahad (Credo College)
ST Ashaar Rashid (Nixor College)

Substitutes
GK Musab Khan (Alpha College)
DF Arham Iqbal (Credo College)
DF Abdullah Lohya (Nixor College)
DF Armaghaan (Nixor College)
MF Kazim Gheewala (Karachi Grammar School)
MF Abdul Ghani (Cedar College DHA)
FW M. Siddique (Sceptre College)
FW M. Ali Siddiqi (Whales College)
FW Ammar Sheikh (Whales College)

The 21st Edition of KUSC – Senior Boys Karachi

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