Between goals and saves, international students shine for the Hawks
By: Thiago Neuenschwander
Humber Athletics Communications
With their spectacular wins over the Lambton Lions (13-0) and the St. Clair Saints (5-0), the Humber Hawks have made it clear to the entire league that they will not be trifled with this year. The team's success, which has won six and drawn one of its first seven games of the season, is marked by a perfect balance between a devastating attack and a virtually impenetrable defence. In this strong group that is beginning to gain strength in its quest for the 16th Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) title, two figures born outside of Canada are seeking their space to try to leave their mark on the Hawks' already victorious history: Iranian goalkeeper Danial Sanei and Nepalese midfielder Tenzin Wosal.
Originally from Tehran, the capital of Iran, the team's new wall developed his love for soccer during childhood. From age ten, he began competing in local leagues in his hometown. "In Iran, soccer is a huge part of life. Children, teenagers, young adults, and even older people are incredibly passionate about the sport. The level of support and enthusiasm around soccer in the country is truly special," reveals Sanei, a die-hard fan of Esteghlal FC, one of the biggest clubs in Asia.
This passion is not unfounded. Iranians have been practicing the sport since the early decades of the last century. The national team, founded in the 1920s, boasts remarkable achievements, including three AFC Asian Cup championships (1968, 1972, and 1976) and participation in six World Cup editions, including the last three. Additionally, the country has experienced significant growth in futsal, becoming one of the leading teams in the world in that modality.
Growing up amid this fervent soccer culture, Danial quickly reached the highest levels of Iranian youth soccer. "After gaining experience in local leagues in Tehran, I played in the Iran Premier League, in the U16 and U17 categories," Sanei emphasizes. However, just when it seemed he was about to take the next step in his career, he made a bold decision: to move to Canada in search of new opportunities.
"I lived in Iran for 17 years, surrounded by soccer, playing and watching the sport. It has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I moved to Toronto nearly a year ago to seek new opportunities, both academically and in soccer," explains the goalkeeper, who is enrolled in the Fitness and Health program at Humber College.
Once in Toronto, joining the men's soccer team at Humber was a nearly natural path. "I played one season in League1 with Masters FA, and after that, I connected with Coach Mike. That led me to join the Hawks. It was a smooth process, and having experience in League1 helped me get noticed," Sanei details.
In his debut with the Hawks, Danial faced a setback and left the game after getting injured in the first half of the victory against the Niagara Knights, 2-1. After being sidelined due to the injury, he returned to the squad against the St. Clair Saints in Windsor, where the Hawks won 2-0, with a memorable performance from the Iranian. Last Saturday, Sanei was a mere spectator in the thunderous 13-0 victory over the Lambton Lions. With over 200 minutes on the field, he has yet to concede a single goal.
A declared fan of Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson from Liverpool, Sanei hopes that his first season defending the Hawks' goal will be filled with learning and, if possible, culminate in a title. "Joining Humber has been better than I expected. I am truly satisfied with how things have been going so far. For this season, I hope to continue improving and impacting the team. I am excited to see how far we can go," he concludes.
A Goal in His Debut and High Expectations
While goalkeeper Danial Sanei has already secured his place among the team's starters, midfielder Tenzin Wosal is still waiting for new opportunities to showcase his talent. Despite his limited time on the field so far, the freshman's résumé couldn't be more promising. In his debut with the Hawks, he scored one of the goals in the 2-2 draw against the Sheridan Bruins in the team's first home game of the competition.
"It was a great start for me with the Hawks. I usually play as a playmaker, not a big scorer, so it's fantastic to kick off the season with a goal. I feel that the coaches and my teammates have welcomed me very well. There is an incredible atmosphere around the team. Humber also invests a lot in its athletes, so I feel privileged to use all the facilities and receive all the support I need both on and off the field," says Wosal, an international student in the Nursing program at Humber College, now in his second year.
Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tenzin had little exposure to soccer during his early years in his homeland. Having moved to Canada over a decade ago, he started playing the sport because of childhood friends. "When I came here, I was about eight years old. At school, most kids played soccer or basketball, and my closest friends primarily played soccer. So, as a child, it became the sport I played," he shares.
Like Sanei, Wosal also had a brief experience in League1 Ontario, playing for Unionville Milliken before joining the Humber Hawks. "In my first year, I planned to join the team, but I missed the preseason. Therefore, I couldn't try out until it was too late. I ended up becoming a practice player and only trained with the team throughout the entire season. This year, I was able to participate in the preseason and play games, showing the coach what I am capable of," he adds.
A fan of English winger Phil Foden from Manchester City and the English national team, Wosal has high hopes for his debut year as a main player for the Humber Hawks. "My expectation for the rest of the season is to continue raising my standards day-by-day and contribute to the team as much as possible," he concludes.
