Hashtag's Speedsters PT 1: Sakariya Hassan
Scouting & Analysis
Britain has been in a deep freeze for the last few weeks. With the temperatures plummeting, the football has been suffering. Games up and down the country (at all levels) have been called off as pitches freeze and the snow falls. Two weeks running, the games I’ve been down to scout have been postponed, luckily the clubs are quick to do this, giving me plenty of time to rethink, and find another game battling through the conditions. Dressed like an arctic explorer (my mum's Christmas present of gloves, snood and hat in full effect) I braved the chill to catch some more Isthmian Premier.
People in the know had told me to catch Hashtag United when possible this season, where a couple of players were producing some real moments of quality. The big freeze gave me a chance to do just that. Before this I had consumed their extensive back catalog of excellent quality highlights on YouTube, thus I already had a good idea of the team and play style. The club is (at the time of writing) sitting 8th in the league, ten points from the playoffs, nothing special as of yet, but a strong second half of the season could see them competing for a playoff spot, there is a lot of football left to play after all. Typically manager Jay Devereux has them line up in an attack-minded 4-3-3. Playing with advanced wide players, Sakariya Hassan & Josh Osude have been burning opposition fullbacks regularly this season, thankfully providing us spectators with some much-needed heat. (Osude being the subject of next week’s piece)
What do we need to know?
Name: Sakariya Hassan
Position: LW/RW/CAM
Age: 23
Preferred foot: Right
Not many clubs at the step 3 level can boast an internationally capped player in their squads. In Sakariya Hassan, Hashtag has just that. Making his debut for Somalia in 2022, the young forward has gone on to make eight appearances for his national side, netting two goals in the process. Signing in 2023, this is Hassan’s second season in the Isthmian Premier. Previously, he had turned out for Sudbury FC, Barking, and Redbridge FC, as well as once being on the books of Hornchurch.
How does he play?
Hassan is a pacy dynamic winger who likes to roam from his position, pick up the ball in space, and drive forward, specializing in carrying it over long distances. He also has an eye for a pass from central areas, making him a multi-talented forward who contributes much more than just raw pace. His small, slim frame allows him to utilize his excellent acceleration and speed, but his high levels of agility also allow him to find space in tighter situations. Despite his small frame he also has a deceptive level of strength and toughness, something he needs when players invariably try to stop his direct runs forward.
Normally operating off the left, his ambidextrous lower half allows him to take players on both inside and outside, adding to his unpredictable playing style. This has also resulted in him being used across Hashtags' front line this season.
Ball carrying
One of Hassan’s biggest strengths is ball carrying. I call it that rather than dribbling as his he likes to carry the ball over great distances, driving his team up the pitch and dragging defenders out of shape. This is particularly dangerous when Hashtag looks to break (exploiting gaps in the opposition) or move the ball quickly from back to front. He has the lesser seen ability to be as quick with the ball as he is without it, making him especially hard to stop when he gets going. Pair that with the ability to go on either way, defenders will have a hard time anticipating his intentions.
Below we can see some examples
1.
In this example, Hassan takes down a clearance in his own half. He then carries the ball directly and quickly into the opposition half (Cray Wanderers in this case). His direct running style and cleanness of touch mean opposition defenders have no time to get back in shape or chase him down.
Due to the pace he is moving, the defenders are unable to stand him up, resulting in them dropping back onto the edge of their own box. Using his excellent balance, he can move inside without breaking stride and unleashes a fierce drive towards goal. Unfortunately, this resulted in his shot striking the crossbar, but this entire move is an excellent example of the player’s directness and speed.
2.
In a similar example, we see Hassan picking the ball up from deep and driving into the opposition half. On this occasion, he is operating in a CAM role for Hashtag. Despite this, he still favours using his pace to counter with the ball at his feet rather than looking to retain possession with a safer pass. After beating a man with a nice feint, he is then 1 v 1 with the opposition’s last man.
Rather than attempting to drive past his man, he slows down and has the vision to spot his teammate making a supporting run past him. A perfectly weighted through ball into space gives Aromolaran the opportunity for a first-time strike on goal. The youngster is far from a head-down, all-pace, no-precision player, hence why the manager is happy to utilize him in more central areas where he can be more involved in build-up play.
3.
One of Hassan’s best attributes is his ambidextrous lower half. His confidence with both feet makes him an unpredictable force, dragging defenders both ways. Here, we see him going down the line onto his ‘weaker’ left foot. Head down and driving to the touchline, he knows he can beat the three defenders chasing him with a sharp change of pace.
With a controlled cutback, he removes all four defenders from the game, allowing his teammate to complete the move with a simple finish.
Goal scoring
Far from just a provider of chances and assists, Hassan has also contributed goals to the team. This season, nine goals have him joint second on Hashtag’s goal-scoring charts. A very respectable tally considering he never lines up as an out-and-out striker.
Hassan has the impressive ability to do most things at an intense speed, but the composure and presence of mind to slow down and control his actions when presented with goalscoring opportunities.
1.
An excellent example of Hassan showing his complete repertoire of skills is this goal against the league leaders Dover. Receiving a through ball from his midfield teammate the youngster latches on to it and races into the box.
With the speed he can carry into the box, the defenders are unable to get close enough to close him down effectively. This results in him gaining an essential yard of space, firing a low powerful effort through the crowd of bodies and past the helpless keeper into the far corner. An excellent goal all around.
2.
Collecting Osude’s pass through the defence, he composes himself with a smart first touch, then fires the ball in the top corner. Hassan’s ability to strike the ball cleanly means he opts to finish most of his chances with power. With a short back lift and strong shooting power, he often gives opposition goalkeepers little chance when finishing from close range.
Conclusion
Hassan is a versatile attacking threat. He is an invaluable asset to his current side, whether on the wing or from central positions. His pace makes him a devasting weapon on the counter and he also has the technical skills to be effective against teams in a low block.
At 23, he already has a lot of experience at various levels and the room to develop his craft further. If he can become more ruthless (and potentially selfish) in front of goal, he will have the finishing skills to significantly increase his goal tally. If he can add a more intense defensive work rate to his game, he could also become a highly effective presser of opposition defences.
With Hashtag’s chances of promotion being fairly slim, it isn’t out of the question that he will look for opportunities at a higher level elsewhere next season. Should Conference South clubs look at the versatile international, it would be very interesting to see if he can continue his development at step 2 or above.
All photos and footage used can be found on Hashtag United’s Youtube page and website
https://hashtagunited.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/@HashtagUnited