Special Feature: Haydar vs Haydar

Ali Haydar came out victorious, as his Marconi side defeated Ibrahim Haydar?s Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground.
Ali said of the win, ?It was pretty intense.
?The first fifteen minutes we were under serious pressure from Olympic, but we knew that if we worked together we could get the result,? he added.
Ibrahim commented, ?For us it was a disappointing result.
?The effort was there, but we never played to our potential,? he said.
For Ali Haydar, his Marconi side progress to a Grand Final qualifier against the Premiers, Bonnyrigg White Eagles. For his brother Ibrahim, Sydney Olympic face Blacktown City in an Elimination Final, where they will fight to keep their season alive.
?We?ve conceded seven in two matches against them (Bonnyrigg),? Ali said.
?We?ve worked hard all season though and we?ll train hard and figure something out,? he added.
Ibrahim said that his Olympic side would be doing much the same.
?We?ve got to get back to basics,? he commented.
?We need to train hard and stick to a plan and then execute it on match day,? Ibrahim said.
Ali Haydar reserved special praise for Marconi?s young star Joe Gibbs, who scored twice on the weekend to seal victory.
?He?s a brilliant player,? he said.
?He?s got a great first touch, as well as great awareness and anticipation.
?Joe?s been big for us, he?s been something special and he always manages to find a goal,? Ali said.
For the brothers Haydar, facing off in a semi-final was a special occasion.
Ibrahim said, ?It was a really funny feeling.
?It was a new experience. There was a bit of banter, but I always wish him all the best.
?Just not against us!? he laughed.
Ali Haydar happily contributed to the rivalry.
?It?s great fun! They beat us in the league twice, though.
?There was a bit of controversy though, when Ibrahim said, ?don?t talk to me on matchday!? he laughed.
?It was good to win, but I didn?t rub it in,? he said.
If they face off in the grand final though, it may be another story completely.
-By Matthew Connellan