Twice as nice! (From Asian Image)

Twice as nice!

6:15pm Friday 12th June 2009 in Sport By Ali Tilley

A last minute header by Mohammed Ali helped Canaries win the UK Asian Community Cup for the second consecutive year.

They had earlier led 3-1 against Punjab United before the Wolverhampton side looked to have taken the game into extra-time with two late goals. The final was again held at Stamford Bridge.

They may have struggled in the league but Canaries came good at the right time to win the cup.

Canaries started brightly with a few half chances in the opening minutes of the match but their indecision in the final third failed to test the Punjab goalkeeper.

Against the run of play the Canaries defence was caught flatfooted and Punjab took the lead.

At the 30 minute mark Jav Mohammed went past a Punjab defender and then squared the ball to Kaiser Ahmed who fired home the equaliser.

After that it was all Canaries who took the lead through youngster Aamir Toorawa after good worjk by Suleman Hafeji.

Aamir Toorawa made it 3-1 to give Canaries some breathing space. But it wasn’t over yet and you had to admire Punjab United or getting themselves back into this game.

At 3-2 Punjab had been given an unexpected lifeline into the match and were playing with a new found confidence.

Canaries has Eric Ohemeng to thank for keeping it 3-2 when he pulled of a magnificent save. but he couldn;t do anything abou the equaliser which looked to have taken the game into extra-time.

With a few tired legs and Canaries wanting to freshen things up Manager Abdul Rauf made a match winning substitution. Fifteen minutes from time he brough on last years cup final man of the match Mohammed Ali.

Karim acquired possession just outside the box before delivering an inch-perfect cross to the far post where Ali out-jumped Punjab defence and headed home to send the Canaries faithful wild.

Punjad pressed for an equaliser but then had to contend with the pace of McDonald. Despite the 12 minutes of injury time Canaries hung-on to become the first team to retain the trophy.

Man of the match: Suleman Hefeji. For a player who broke his leg two years ago this was a momentous return to his best.

Team Members: Asif Ali, Abdul Rauf Khan, Saj Kalang, Mohammed Lulat, Zubair Mal (Club Captain), Tufail Balocha, Zubair Khan, Daryl Noble, Faz Khan, Adam Khalil, Mohammed Khotiya.

Canaries FC would like to thank club sponsors Swan Bathrooms, Faisal Valli, supporters, volunteers and Mesba Ahmed (Chief Executive London Tigers.

Also see Picture galleries.