APSA Squad: Rafis, M Hussain, Gannon, Patel, Ford, U Hussain, Bapu, Nichols, Maxi, Choudhury, Ibrahim, Chuck, Nawaz, Mahmood, Unsal, Shakeib, K Shah, Yamesh, Parveiz,

London APSA Squad: Rafis, M Hussain, Gannon, Patel, Ford, U Hussain, Bapu, Nichols, Maxi, Choudhury, Ibrahim, Chuck, Nawaz, Mahmood, Unsal, Shakeib, K Shah, Yamesh, Parveiz, Abu, Nabil, Malik

The Asian Community Cup is a tournament that is contested by teams from all over the UK.  Four groups made up four teams compete on the first day to qualify for the knock out stages and an ultimate opportunity of contesting the final at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.

The format of the Asian Community Cup tournament, played over the course of three days, was three group games on the first day, a potential Quarter final & Semi-final appearance on the second day & a final played on the last day of the three day event.

Defending champions, London APSA, went there to defend the title they had won the previous year.

Saturday 6^th May - Group Stages

London APSA 1 vs. 0 Muhamadan

The first game of the tournament proved to be a tight affair, as all opening games are, with lots of initial panic play. When APSA finally settled, they began to look the better side with man of the match, Patel, making inroads into the attacking third and creating chances. He had an effort, which cannoned off the bar; and he won the free-kick, which Gannon stepped up to slam into the top corner to give APSA the perfect start.

London APSA 0 vs. 0 Walthamstow Redstar

The second game of the tournament was not APSA's best. With four changes to the side that was victorious against Mohamadan in the previous game, APSA found it difficult to get into their stride.  The best chance of the game fell to Redstar when one of APSA’s men of the tournament, M Hussain, had a slight lapse in concentration and mis-controlled a pass to let in Redstar’s front man. It took a good save from the ever reliable Rafis to keep the scores level. APSA came away with a fortunate draw, after failing to penetrate the Redstar defence.

When all teams had played two games, there were two teams on 4 points, APSA and Redstar. Two teams, FC Bulwar and Mohammedan were on 1 point each, so the group was nicely poised and could have gone any which way. APSA required a win or draw to guarantee progression and Bulwar required nothing less than a victory in their final game.

London APSA 3 vs. 0 FC Bulwar

APSA’s experience shone through in this final group game, as they played their best football of the tournament so far against the Asian League side.  APSA were out of the blocks quicker and got off to a cracking start.  Within 6 minutes Yemesh broke through on the right wing and his cross was met by Bapu, whose shot was handled on the line.  The ref had no option but to send the player off.  He also decided to award the goal, to Bulwar’s despair, as the ball had crossed the line.  The tricky Yemesh jinked his way down the right to cross precisely for the onrushing Nichols to finish with some aplomb to make it 2-0 and cruising for APSA. In the second half, man of the match Bapu, crossed from the left for substitute Nawaz to compose himself and slot home to make it 3-0 and a guaranteed Quarter final appearance on the following day. APSA could have made the defeat even heavier for Bulwar, as Chuck skied an effort from 4 yards out and Bapu put an effort wide towards the end.

Sunday 7^th May – Quarter Final

Punjab Utd, Derby 1 vs. 1 London APSA

APSA had opportunities to score in this game, but failed to be clinical enough take them.  However, APSA built themselves a fine foundation at the back with the composed qualities of M Hussain, Choudhury, Gannon & U Hussain; and were yet to concede a goal in the tournament, which inspired their confidence to progress in the tournament.

Bapu scored the inevitable opener from a pinpoint Maxi cross.  However, late on, Derby were awarded a free-kick on the edge on the area.  Rafis had been a spectator for the majority of the game and was, maybe, thinking about the Semi-final.  Whatever it was that Rafis was thinking about, it was enough to distract his attention and result in a rare mistake by the talented, young keeper.  He failed to hold the free kick and the opposition striker pounced on the loose ball to score.  The game went to penalties, of which the penalty takers, Nawaz, Gannon, Rafis and Ford, all scored.  Rafis made amends for his earlier blunder in the game by saving two penalties in the shoot out to send APSA through to the Semi-final.

Sunday 7^th May – Semi-Final

London APSA 1 v 1 Smethwick

This was a fast pace, physical affair that tested APSA’s resolve.  Nawaz earned himself a start after impressing in his previous one & a half appearances and justified his inclusion with an exquisite second half lob, after beating the Smethwick offside trap.  He still had lots to do, as the ball was played over the top and the keeper did not get enough distance on his clearance.  Nawaz kept his cool to lob the ball over the keeper to put APSA one up.

Fatigue seemed to get the better of the APSA players, as two grueling days of football was coming to an end.  Late on in the second half, the APSA defence switched off and failed to clear a floated ball into the APSA box.  Smethwick’s Pooth found himself unmarked at the far post and had the easy job of placing his header into the back of the net. For the second time in the day, the game went to penalties.  High drama ensued as APSA took the first kick.  Nawaz was thwarted by a fabulous save from the Smethwick keeper.  Smethwick’s Pooth stepped up & missed the target.  Ford, Gannon & Rafis all scored, while goalkeeping hero Rafis saved a further Smethwick penalty to begin the celebrations, as APSA reached their second successive Asian Community Cup final.

Monday 8^th May – Final

London APSA 1 v 1 London Tigers

The final was a replay of the previous year, as London Tigers were looking to avenge the previous year’s defeat by APSA.  Two great passing sides were sure to; once again, serve the 1,500 strong crowd with a display of good football.

Without the experience & leadership of Shah on the pitch and the attacking guile of Dakri up front, both ruled out through injury, APSA had done extremely well to get to the final.  They seemed to start a little tentatively however, as a hungry Tigers took the game to them.  The solid defence of APSA stood firm and dealt with anything Tigers had to offer.  APSA’s man of the tournament M Hussain, grew in statue and commanded the backline and swepped up time & again.  Going forward APSA looked dangerous on the right with the threat of Patel and the endeavor of the immense Mahmood.  Abu chose this game to show what he is all about, causing the Tigers defense all manner of problems.  The breakthrough came for APSA late on in a tight first half.  A Maxi through ball found Ford in space.  He bore down on the Tigers goal and delightfully clipped the ball over the advancing keeper.  As he wheeled away to celebrate, he saw his effort bounce back off the left hand post, only for the ever willing runner Abu to follow in and finish to make it 1-0 to the APSA.

Tigers were not to be denied, however, and came back into the game midway through the second half.  Tigers played the ball out to the left and a cross-come-shot fell to the feet of the Tigers winger, Muki.  His sent the ball in low and hard, only to see the unfortunate Gannon slice the ball past the helpless Rafis and into his own goal.  That saw the end of the scoring and the chances in what was a very even contest, so once again we had the lottery of the dreaded penalty shoot out.

Tigers missed their first penalty and it was up to Nawaz to put APSA in the lead.  Once again the keeper produced a magnificent save to deny him and the scores were level.  Tigers converted their remaining spot kicks, but further misses from Gannon & Yamesh ensured that APSA did not retain their crown.

Tournament Manager Zulfi Ali Said:

"It was a major achievement to reach the final again, and that goes for both teams. Of course it's not nice to lose in the final, but the experience, especially for some of the younger players has been excellent. We strengthened the squad from last year which helped us to the final and

we also strengthened the management squad with Bob, Jami Ahmed and Fahim Shah assisting, which was an essential requirement to help the team progress.

It was a pleasure to see some of the younger guys and fringe players do particularly well throughout the tournament. This loss in the final should help to provide the mental strength for future tournaments and give them the desire to succeed."