The
second Plate Semi-Final featured Shaheens United
who had reached this stage for the second year
in a row. They needed a last gasp win to get
themselves into the draw but now they were here
you wouldn't put it past them to make a third
final in as many appearances at the Amsterdam
Sixes. Their opponents would be Salter's Assaulters
who'd had a roller coaster day – two wins followed
by two defeats. Then, a 4-4 draw in which they
took the lead 3 times but were pegged back 3
times. Statistically, the English team had enjoyed
the better morning in terms of results.
The
morning's results counted for nothing now and
it was all dependent upon what happened in this
tie that would see one of these teams reach
a European final. Sadly, the match was punctuated
by an injury to one of the Shaheens United players
and we wish him well on his road to recovery.
It had all been going so well for Shaheens United
before that as they had raced into a 3-0 lead
with Omar Shoaib, Ammar Shoaib and Antony de
Geijsel all on target. At half-time, the Amsterdam
based side were in full control.
Nathan Salter continued his fine run of form in
front of goal to get his team back in it at the
start of the second period. This only appeared
to be a consolation though as Ammar Shoaib made
it 4-1 and then 5-1 to complete his hat-trick.
There was still time for Salter's Assaulters to
get back into this as Nathan Salter completed
a hat-trick of his own to get back into it at
5-3. He finished the day with 8 goals to makrk
a fine personal haul for him. Ultimately though,
the sands of time ran out on Salter's Assaulters
and they were eliminated from the competition.
It was a promising debut though and proves they
can compete on the European stage.
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