Abdul Motalib (Raju)
Player Profile
‘An architect of the play, Raju’s superb vision and passing range coupled with a tenacious nature and an attitude that refuses to accept defeat, combine to make him an outstanding player’.
| Birthday: | Foot: |  |
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| 20 Jan 1986 | Left footed | ||
| Birthplace: | Nick name: | ||
| London, UK | El maestro | ||
| Position: | Speciality: | ||
| Midfielder | Clinical through balls (play maker) | ||
| Previous Clubs: | Favourite Players of all time: | ||
| Stepney FC | Diego Armando Maradona/ Zidane |
Abdul MOTALIB aka Raju has been around the league for a while now. He started his career in the streets of Bricklane playing 5 a side tournaments in the famous ‘Gutt’. He was soon noticed for his amazing quick feet and his ability to create space in acute positions. He was a raw talent ready to explode and was selected for trials for Leeds united in his youth days.
He won numerous individual awards in his school tournaments including player of the year award and top goal scorer scoring 34 goals in one season. He started his league career with DYCE, which had a whole host of current MSC players learning their trade.
Raju soon caught the eye of the manager of Stepney FC (zaheer). He soon participated for Stepney FC in the under 15 and under 16 world youth football tournament in Denmark and Sweden where they managed to finish as quarter finalist. The tour was a success; however Raju decided to leave Stepney and play for his local team which was at that the time the dominating force along with Stepney FC in local football.
Raju played a full season there helping the club win the BFA Summer league, the UK Asian championship as well as the winter ILFL cup. However his chances were limited in the first 11 and he only started handful of games and therefore rejoined them in the year 2007. Raju slowly had to get used to the high level of technical football played there and the competition for places helped improve Raju’s game.After couple of months of training and hard work, Raju broke in to the first 11 and he formed a formidable partnership with Foyzul Hoque aka Ronaldinho.
Raju was exceeding all expectations due to his newly improved all round game play. He was among one the consistent performers in the league and his deadly assist and 360 degree vision alerted the Sporting Bengal manager for his services. Raju played both the away and home game in the FA cup encounter between London Colnel and gave the pass of the round to Nizamul Hoque for the goal. Raju won the ILFL league and the ILFL CUP and summer league in his second season also receiving the award for a ‘Man of the Match’ display in the cup final. He helped complete a double in the following year as well.
In the season 2008/2009 season Raju returned to MSC after constant persuasion by the MSC faithful’s and fans who realised they let a gem go and due to a change of management, the return was made possible. Instantly he was handed the famous ‘number 10’ shirt and he surely didn’t disappoint, inspiring MSC to their first ILFL title in the following season. In the process, Raju contributed to vital goals and bringing his tally to 15 goals in all competition. He scored a pressure penalty against Shadwell FC in a scintillating encounter and a lovely free kick against Bromley FC in a much needed win for MSC and also in the process scored his first ever 4 goals in one game in his career against Newark FC.
Raju followed that season with winning a tournament held in New York were he was among nine other players to compete in the tournament and was hailed as one of the best performers out there.
Now almost in his peak at 24, Raju demands a winning mentality from his fellow players and works his socks off in training. He is ready to hit new heights and cant wait to retain the title and do a double this season and with his sheer passion for the game and natural ability and his willingness to work hard as a team player anything is possible.
