ZL plunges into Dark Ages as Zwain calls for reform

Season 7, Week 4: Blacks 1–4 Reds

It was a tale of two faces for the Reds when their first win of the season was tainted by controversy on an icy December evening.

Reds produced some of the finest attacking football seen this season but were guilty of ugly scenes that reminded everyone of their playing days without a ref.

Early warning signs were evident as Captain Twaij, late for his own team’s pre-match warm up, was ill-disciplined in possession as last man and gifted Khalkhali a 1-on-1. His shot was saved by sprawling Darwish who sprawled just too far over his area line (again). Khalkhali’s coolly converted penalty left Twaij and his Reds red-faced.

The pressure faced by Reds reached boiling point as two disallowed goals for area encroachment saw them explode at the ref, lacking all professionalism. Captain Zwain was directly targeted by the toys kicked out of the Reds’ pram, which he claims severely affected his ability to read the game and defend for the rest of the game.

For all the flair in the Reds attacking lineup it was the unlikely figure of Kateb who stole the show. From an own goal specialist last week to scoring special goals on his own this week, he claimed a convincing MOTM. His first was a spectacular low drive from the halfway line and his second was a first-time deft finish into the top corner from the edge of the box. A penalty by Al-Atrakchi and a calm finish by Doukhi completed a Reds’ rout that left Blacks humiliated.

Bitter in defeat, Captain Zwain called for additional sanctions on players arguing with the ref. A vote of confidence for the ref was swiftly followed by a new rule for immediate red cards for dissent. Can Reds finally show some class this season and keep their heads? Or will we see continuing controversy and poor sportsmanship in Week 5? One thing for certain is that the teams are matched both physically and technically, so it may be the mental ability that decides the winner of this season’s ZL.

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