Ali Sumar hat-trick powers Smiles Cars to 5-2 win over Smart Safiri

Smiles Cars ran out 5-2 winners against Smart Safiri on Pitch 02 on Friday evening, with Ali R. Sumar helping himself to a hat-trick in a busy Match Week 5 fixture.

Smart Safiri had the better of the opening exchanges and went in front through Farhaad A. Satchu, but the lead didn't hold for long. Imran Jacksi levelled matters for Smiles Cars, and when an unfortunate own goal from Mujtaba M. Somji nudged Smart Safiri back in front, the game had the feel of a genuine shootout.

From there it was all Smiles Cars. Jacksi struck again for his second of the evening to restore parity, and then Sumar took over. His first put Smiles Cars ahead for good, and two more followed as Smart Safiri struggled to get a foothold in a game that never slowed down across the 25 minutes.

Muhammadmahdi Dharamsi was named player of the match for Smiles Cars, a nod to the work behind a front line that found the net five times. It was the kind of performance that doesn't always show up on the scoresheet but was clear enough to anyone watching from the touchline.

For Smart Safiri, there were positives in the early stages and in Satchu's finish, but the goals conceded in quick succession will be the talking point. In a format this short, momentum swings are difficult to recover from, and once Smiles Cars had their noses in front there was little time left to respond.

Both sides move on to Match Week 6, with Smiles Cars in confident mood after a result that showcased their attacking depth.