Griffins add scoring punch for 2021 season with Danish striker Mazaheri
Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – While the many facets of a successful soccer team include so much more than just scoring goals, there's no doubt you have to put the ball in the net to win.
After Adam Loga's MacEwan Griffins team scored just 13 times in 14 games their last time out – the second-lowest output in Canada West in 2019 – he has been searching for the right pieces to ignite their offence.
On Wednesday, he announced the addition of Danish striker Alvin Mazaheri, who will be key in achieving that goal when the Griffins hit the pitch for the 2021 Canada West season.
"Especially last season, we struggled to score goals and we lacked a little depth up top," noted Loga. "With the departure of our two 9s (strikers) from 2019 over this lengthened off-season, it was a spot we needed to address.
"We feel Alvin can fill that role. He strikes the ball well."
Mazaheri is currently playing for a U-21 team (Vanløse IF) in Denmark's best league. Also with Vanløse IF in 2018, he produced 10 goals and four assists in 12 matches as an attacking midfielder. A year later, he helped the Copenhagen-based squad win the Danish U-19 East 1 League title with an unbeaten record in 37 games.
Alvin Mazaheri looks for an opening during recent action in Denmark where he plays with U21 team Vanløse IF (supplied by Alvin Mazaheri).
"He moves very well," said Loga, who has watched extensive video of the 6-foot-3 forward in action. "He's technically sound for a bigger lad and he strikes the ball well with either foot. His preferred foot is his left; however, he can strike it well from distance."
That's been something the Griffins have lacked in recent years – more often than not trying to dribble the ball to the back of the net instead of taking rips from distance.
"In a lot of the video we've watched on him, he's willing to try and have a crack (shot) from 20-30 yards," said Loga. "He's good in the air as well. He's just a big-bodied presence. We've lacked size over the years and I think that's been a bit of an Achilles' heel with our set pieces and conceding set pieces.
"So, having that size on the park and willingness to go up and win aerial battles will help us."
Mazaheri also brings experience playing at the senior level – he first played in the men's ranks when he was 15 and has played senior regularly for the past two seasons.
"He's coming into camp at 20 years old, so he's a bit older and bit more mature," said Loga. "He's had experience at the senior level, so that should lend itself to a smoother transition into Canada West and at MacEwan."
Mazaheri is the second European recruit in Loga's 2021 class, joining Germany's Jakob Sievert.
"They bring a different perspective and different outlook on what we do here," said Loga. "Much like our guys here, they're looking for opportunities to play at the next level and with the Canadian Premier League here, we can offer that in Canada, whereas a couple years back we couldn't. We've become more attractive to some of these lads."
