New-look Encore United look to defend their crown in season of change
Updated: Aug 27
There are certain teams that look like a class apart from the rest the moment they step on to the pitch. And Encore United were that team in Season 3 of Aces Football League. They not only breezed past opponents en route to their maiden title, but also swept all the individual honours, including the Player of the Tournament.
However, as we have seen time and again in football, winning the title is easy, defending the title is a whole different ball-game. And Season 4 of Aces Football League brings about new challenges for Encore United as they look to defend their title.
It has been some journey to the top for Encore United co-owner Aamir Petiwala. He began his Aces Football League journey as a player in Season 1 for Bandra United, and while playing time was hard to come by, he kept on working and grinding before being part of a Trana United side that finished second in Season 2 by a solitary point.
Eventually, he decided to not only own a team, but also play as a goalkeeper. Both of these decisions turned out to be masterstrokes as Encore not only won the league, but Aamir himself won the Golden Glove in Season 3, keeping the most number of clean-sheets in what was a phenomenal season for him on a personal level.
But this season is different, as Encore United have had an off-season of upheaval and change. For starters, the defending champions are going to be without Aamir Ghadially, Harmeet Vig, and Mikhail Kazi. The trio were all integral components of Encore’s victorious run, with Aamir winning Best midfielder, Harmeet winning Best Legacy (Veteran) player, and Mikhail snapping up the Player of the Season award. How they cope with the absence of the trio could very well define Encore’s season this time around.
However, for every departure, there is always a new arrival. And the new arrival comes in the form of a merger between Encore and Aer Titans, winners of the inaugural season of Aces Football League.
When asked about the merger, Aamir made it clear that the main reason for both the teams joining forces was that the end goal of Aamir and Kabir Khan, along with Param Sabnani and Krish Sharma are the same- Win the league. How this merger fares through the course of the season is one of the most intriguing sub-plots to watch for this season.
In terms of building their core, Encore have once again managed to build a very formidable core for Season 4. Mir Mehta, the top-scorer of Season 2, and a key performer in Season 3 is back. Brooklyn Robinson, the big goalkeeper who made a huge impact in Season 3 for Titans will be between the sticks. In come Armaan Vardhan and Clivert Millar, who plied their trade for Cathect FC and Casuals FC in Season 3 to bolster their ranks, while Kabir Khan, Param Sabnani, Krish Sharma, and Rayan Badeka complete the set.
Drawn in Pool B, Encore United will be facing familiar foes in Umang Foundation Trust FC, while also the two newcomers in KT Falcons FC and Juggernauts FC. Wolfpack FC and Hybec Hydras will also provide stern tests to Encore’s championship defense.
However, Aamir knows that his side will be the hunted this time around, and he for one is relishing the challenge that lies ahead of him and his side for Season 4. While he acknowledged that being the hunter is easier, he iterated the fact that there is no room for error this time around.
“The ball is in our court this season. We know our qualities and we are confident that we can win it again this season. However, if we do not hold ourselves to the same standard and display the same level of motivation and dedication like we did last season, then it will be difficult to keep up.
With Titans on board with us, who finished second in their group, they also have the hunger to win, and their goals align. with mine. We are the defending champions and we will aim to show that in our performances in Season 4.”
While Aamir waited three seasons to lay hands on his first Aces Football League title, he and a new-look Encore United will look to ensure that the wait for title number 2 is not that long as they look to defend their crown in what is a season of change for them.
Can Encore make it two in a row? Your guess is as good as mine!
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