Football: Karl Hall remembers sending Seychelles to IOIG final |19 December 2013

It was August 11, 2011 and Seychelles was in the midst of organising the 8th Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG). Having never won a gold medal in football at the tournament before, the country’s team were full of hope as they had the chance to secure passage to the final.

The score was 1-1 with two minutes left in the second half of extra-time and with the dreaded penalty shootout looming. Seychelles needed only a single moment of brilliance to guarantee a place in the final on home soil.

Seasoned England-based player Kevin Betsy received the ball on the left flank and floated a cross into the penalty area and in a moment few will forget, substitute Karl Hall rose to head the ball into the back of the Reunion team’s net to send Stad Linite into a chorus of cheers as he had just sent Seychelles into the final. For that, the young midfielder deserves to be remembered as a local football hero.

The Seychelles team went on to win the gold medal on a penalty shootout against Mauritius.

Having moved back to England, Karl Hall now plies his trade at Albion Sports in the eighth tier of English football. Only recently, Sport Nation got in touch with the 25-year-old to find out what he has been up to since leaving Seychelles.

Hall was born and raised in Leeds, England to a British father and Seychellois mother. “I had a good and happy childhood growing up, where my parents were very supportive of whatever I chose to do,” he said.
 
“I started playing football at the age of eight, as most of my friends and family were into sports,” he added.
 
It is only natural that he had an interest in sports then.

Having realised his potential, his father sent him on various football camps and training courses in order to develop his skills. For many locals, we got to see Hall in action while he played locally for St Michel, thrilling the fans with his long range shots.

Hall explains his motivation to play in Seychelles. “I originally came to Seychelles for a month’s holiday. I met a girl in Seychelles so I arranged to come back and be with her. My uncle knew the manager of St Michel and so got me a trial with the team, where I was successful and was signed.”

Having put some excellent performance in the league, Hall was included in coach Ralph Jean-Louis’ national selection for the IOIG, where he helped Seychelles win the elusive gold medal.

“It was amazing,” he exclaimed. “It’s a once-in-a lifetime experience. I feel blessed, proud and honoured to have been part of it all.”

When asked about the goal that sent Seychelles into that final, Karl said: “It is a very special moment for me. It is the proudest moment of my football career. To send Seychelles to the final and send the fans crazy was just amazing. Wow! I still think about it to this day. I can still hear the roar of the fans.”

Having now returned to England, he explains that he feels the English game is more technical and physical compared to Seychelles were the game is a lot quicker.

I took the time to find out just who inspires this young footballer as many of us have a favourite player. “Cristiano Ronaldo is my favourite footballer. Every young player wants to be like him and I was no different growing up, as I tried to copy his tricks and shooting skills,” said Hall. “In my opinion, the best Seychellois player I’ve played with is Archille Henriette, who to me was an immense figure in the IOIG. He is a very tricky, intelligent and humble player,” he added.

Archille Henriette as Seychelles’ best footballer is certainly an opinion shared by many local fans as he is once again the favourite to be named footballer of the year.

Hall intends to keep pushing on with his football career as he wants to play at the highest possible level and hopes to represent Seychelles again in the future.
 
He has a small message of inspiration to the younger footballers: “I would advise them to never give up on their dream. Always work hard and listen to the right people.”

Local fans can still hope to see Hall in the Seychelles colours in the future and maybe someday playing for a team at a higher level as well.

Sports Nation takes this opportunity to wish Hall success in his future endeavours and looks forward to writing about his exploits as his football career progresses.

Hall’s Albion Sports side currently lie in sixth place in the Northern Counties East Premier Division. He has scored six goals for them in all competitions this season.

S. N.