It was a training session of a different kind for a group of aspiring footballers as they gained valuable advice from Chelsea Under-16 coach Frank O’Brien last week.

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O’Brien, youth coach of the Premier League outfit for more than 15 years, passed on his knowledge to Dubai English Speaking College (DESC) and GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis (WSO) students O’Brien is fully aware what footballers require to succeed at the highest level. John Terry, who he coached at youth level, is a clear example, the defender is the club’s most successful captain, winning 12 titles since 2004.

Sixteen of WSO’s talented footballers were treated to a masterclass. The pupils, aged between 11 and 16, were put through a range of passing and movement drills before getting an insight on the importance of professionalism and dedication.

Sixteen-year-old Ben Bracciano was left in awe after the clinic. “It was a privilege for myself, my team-mates and students who participated,” he said.

“He ran us through some complex but very effective drills which taught us new ways to approach different situations in games and opened us up to new tactics and movements in the game.”

A few hours later, O’Brien was back on the field, this time at DESC. Twenty footballers, ranging from 12-15-years-old, from DESC’s Elite Player Pathway programme, enjoyed a two-hour session. Concentrating on enhancing their  knowledge, they were put through their paces before showcasing their talent in a mini match.

Paul Barratt, head of football at DESC, said: “It was a great learning curve for the students. They got an understanding of what is needed to play at the highest level and with hard work and dedication they can go and follow their dreams and hopefully make it happen.”

Uptown girl Maram Ismail is in fine form
Maram Ismail is certainly making a name for herself after scoring 12 goals in just four games to lead Uptown to the top of the girls’ Under-12 DASSA Division One Football League.

Buoyed by their dominant season last year, the Dubai-outfit have carried on from where they left off and their shooting practice has certainly paid off with an astonishing 25 goals scored already.

Coming up against Repton School in a repeat of last year’s Grand Final, Ismail stole the show, scoring four goals while Walaa Wisam also found the back of the net in a comfortable 5-1 victory.

Ismail and Wisam continued their scoring form against Jumeirah College as solo strikes from team-mates Zoe Konti, Abigail Nsi and Asia Desideri completed a 5-0 triumph.

Success continued on the pitch, this time against Dubai English Speaking College. Konti added to her tally for the season with four goals, while Ismail scored three. Strikes from Nsi and a brace from Wisam sealed a 9-2 victory to move them to the top of the league.

Uptown strengthened their position at the top and extended their unbeaten winning run after hosting Wellington International School in their fourth game of the season.

Unsurprisingly, Ismail was on the scoresheet again, bagging another four goals, with captain Konti netting twice in the 6-0 victory.