Baboukkar signals to Halliche during the match against Timarbia.
In-form Baboukkar leads the Falcons out of group stages
Fahran's national football team had a good run of form over the past week, dismantling Liberimery, widely considered the weakest side in the Copa d'Aeia, 4-0, and toppling Timarbia 4-2 in what has been described at the most exciting match of Group H. These wins both ensured their qualification to the elimination rounds and put them at the top of their group, just above Renneque. Star performances by Baboukkar, who netted a brace against Liberimery and a hat-trick against Timarbia, Halliche, who netted a goal and two assists, El Tamera, who had a goal and an assist, have set fans chattering and created more than a little buzz as the club transfer window draws closer.
Aside from the figurative fireworks going off in the stadiums of Romellea, fans in Haqara celebrated Fahran's early ascendancy at the Copa in style, setting off fireworks of their own amid the final overtime minutes of the match against Timarbia and racking up an impressive rap sheet with local police departments, who gave the traditional wink and nudge as rowdier celebrants were led away to sober up. Conspicuous among the jubilant crowds was a well-soaked Mani Pasdar, who told reporters he was proud of the progress the team had made despite the difficult circumstances. "We played clean, sharp attacking football," Pasdar laughed, "No dirty tricks. No belly-aching over how rough we've had it. No politics or sloganeering. Just hope, grit, and football. I'm proud of these boys."
Fireworks set off in Qhor am-Sadf.
Enthusiastic players, led by the inexorable captain Halliche, upended a jug of water over Pasdar in a cheeky yet triumphant display. When questioned by reporters at the scene, Halliche responded with bravado. "We had a bet going," he conceded somewhat giddily, "I told him 'If we place first, we're going to do this.' He said 'If you place first, you can set my coattails on fire.' I think we took the more moderate approach, really."
In spite of the joyful and hopeful tones coming from the team, the sports media, and the fans, most analysts have a more measured response to the results and to the recent draw that pits Fahran against a strong Vidorian side in the first match of the elimination rounds. Los Blancos-Rojos were deprived of their star striker Mahdavi after a tense match with Alriika and yet still managed to obtain a respectable first place finish in their group, largely due to the hard work of Rico Sanchez. Vidoria presents a unique challenge to the Falcons, one on par with Timarbia, in that they are a strong attacking team with an abundance of star power and a proven track record in international contests.
A bashful Baboukkar said simply "I'm looking forward to this match. I have a lot of respect for guys like Mahdavi, Sanchez, and Del Monte. It's going to be tough, but I think I speak for everyone when I say I'll give it my all." These sentiments have been echoed by other players, who were quick to voice support for Hamid Mahdavi after he was accosted and racially abused by Qalehi hooligans. The atmosphere ahead of the match has been defined by a friendly rivalry built on mutual respect.
A number of predictions about the results have been released with most proving bleak for the prospects of the Falcons. Our own analysis, released yesterday evening, predicted a win for Los Blancos-Rojos with a score of 3-1. Nonetheless, Pasdar has been quick to brush off concerns from analysts and pundits. "I haven't even looked at them," he confessed, "I don't think football is numbers. It's heart, all heart. And we've got that in strides. I'm just focusing on getting ready for the next fixture. I'm sure the team and the Vidorians are in the same place."
- Fahrani hooligans serenade Romellean model
- "I'm staying at Dahrzor," vows Baboukkar
- Predictions for the elimination rounds
