MSN PRESENTS THE HAMTRAMCK CITY VS. IRAQI LIONS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJxZUr7H7rY
BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
PONTIAC, Mich. – Down, but not out.
Hamtramck City found itself in a difficult position and multi-goal deficit Sunday night, trailing the Iraqi Lions 2-0 at the half and not even firing a single shot on goal over the first 45 minutes.
For Hamtramck’s sake, there was still a second half.
In a complete role reversal, Hamtramck City came out of the break a rejuvenated team, putting together an energized attack and scoring three unanswered goals while putting down the clamps defensively to post a dramatic, come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Iraqi Lions in the Michigan Soccer Association Gerhard Mengel Men’s Open State Cup Tournament Finals at the United Wholesale Mortgage Sports Complex in Pontiac.
The game-winning goal came in stoppage time and just a mere few seconds before the final whistle was blown, sending the Hamtramck City faithful into a frenzy all over the UWM stadium.
Hamtramck City outshot the Iraqi Lions 9-0 in the second half, frustrating the Lions’ attack while putting consistent pressure on the Iraqi back line. The pressure finally paid off down the stretch.
Basem Ali set up the first goal in the 65th minute, as his slotted pass found its way over to Karim Ahmed, who left no doubt on his scoring chance to trim the deficit down to 2-1. The tally energized Hamtramck City even further as its pursuit of tying the game did not fade.
Down to the final minutes before stoppage time, Hamtramck City finally netted the equalizer in the 87th minute. Moments after a teammate was knocked down in the box following a collision, Jawad Saleh calmly stepped up to the penalty spot and blasted his shot home to tie the game at 2-2.
Although the game seemed destined for overtime, Hamtramck City had the flair for the dramatic to complete the unheralded comeback. In the 95th minute of stoppage time, Mohammed Alkhayet fired home a cross from Saleh Zokari with just moments remaining for the game-winning goal.
Five different players recorded goals or assists, and goalkeeper Mohammed Thabet made two first-half saves while not being counted on to make any second-half stops after Hamtramck’s defense stood tall after going down 2-0 in the first half.
The Iraqi Lions outshot Hamtramck City 8-2 in the first half, including 4-0 with shots on frame, and even held a 4-2 advantage on cornerkicks. The far more aggressive Lions were able to finish off two of those chances to take their two-goal lead at the half.
Mustafa Alnakshali corralled a breakaway feed from Mohammad Atawash and deposited his opportunity into the back of the net in the 30th minute.
It took just over six more minutes for the Lions to score again, as Alnakshali received a pass from Fadel Alshemari just outside the box and with two defenders draped over him unleashed a banger that sailed into the goal in the 36th minute.
The Lions could not sustain the same pressure in the second half and were on their heels throughout the final 45 minutes plus stoppage time.
For the game, Hamtramck City outshot Iraqi 11-8 overall. Both teams finished with four shots on frame, while Hamtramck City held an 8-6 edge on cornerkicks – 6-2 in the second half.
MSN PRESENTS THE HAMTRAMCK CITY VS. IRAQI LIONS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJxZUr7H7rY
MSN PRESENTS CABATO VS. STRIKE CLUB: www.youtube.com/watch?v=674n536ri9U
MSN PRESENTS THE NEXT LEVEL VS. MMMSL LANSING ITALIA: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXrbitk100A
MSN PRESENTS THE CARPATHIA KICKERS VS. THE DETROIT BULLETS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbmKE1IDY2o
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION MEN’S SOCCER OPEN CUP: Hamtramck City rallies back against Iraqi Lions to earn coveted cup: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/michigan-soccer-association-men-s-soccer-open-cup-hamtramck-city-rallies-back-against-iraqi-lions-t
MSN PRESENTS THE HAMTRAMCK CITY VS. IRAQI LIONS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJxZUr7H7rY
MICHIGAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION WOMEN’S SOCCER OPEN CUP: Cabato knocks down Strike Club in or state cup title
MSN PRESENTS THE CABATO VS. STRIKE CLUB: www.youtube.com/watch?v=674n536ri9U
MICHIGAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION OVER-30 MEN’S SOCCER: Next Level Training simply rises above Italia to claim state cup crown: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/michigan-soccer-association-over-30-men-s-soccer-next-level-training-simply-rises-above-italia-to-c
MSN PRESENTS THE NEXT LEVEL VS. MMMSL LANSING ITALIA: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXrbitk100A
MICHIGAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION OVER-40 MEN’S SOCCER: Carpathia Kickers rally back to earn MSA State Cup title: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/michigan-soccer-association-over-40-men-s-soccer-carpathia-kickers-rally-back-to-earn-msa-state-cup
MSN PRESENTS THE CARPATHIA KICKERS VS. THE DETROIT BULLETS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbmKE1IDY2o
