After recently winning the Asian Premier league ‘unbeaten’ all season. AC Manor Park were in buoyant mood coming into one of the two cup finals that they are in led by coaches Nazim ‘Hairdryer’ Ahmed and Musty ‘professor’ Kamal. The Asian Premier League Champions Cup is a prestigious trophy that has been around for many years and a difficult trophy to win with established clubs entering with a winning pedigree.
The final took place at the Kingsbury Town Football Club Stadium in north west London, kicking off at 8pm sharp. With the sun setting in the sky, there was extreme buzz in the atmosphere, with spectators from both sides, attendance of 50+ strong of all ages, cheering the teams on making it an electrifying night.
East London Elite took the kick-off and the game got under way. Both teams looked eager to make the first blow, and slick passing by AC Manor park, evident throughout the season, scored early in the game. A through ball by Saud to Emmanuel Nwosu, who rounded the keeper and finishing off emphatically to make it 1-0 to AC Manor Park. With AC Manor Park dominating the first half with possession play, were suddenly hit by a counter attack by Elite with a cross from the wing for the striker to score from a deflected shot, making it 1-1 just before half time.
Second Half started of pretty much the same as the first, with AC Manor Park dominating possession. With early chances being saved by the Elite goalkeeper who was on top form, specially a header by Taher Qureshi from outside the box tipped over by the keeper. The breakthrough finally came on the 70th minute, a wonder free kick by Muhibur Rahman ‘Probably the best left foot in the amateur game’ headed home by Muhtadi ‘Teddy’ Hussain making it 2-1 to the champions. Soon after the goal, AC Manor Park got a penalty from a malicious foul from the Elite defender on Emmanuel. The spot kick was saved by the Elite keeper, which seemed to have rallied the Elite team to push for an equaliser. With Elite attacking at all fronts, left the defence empty, with AC Manor missing several chances to put the game to bed most falling to Claudio Lopes ‘top scorer and one of the stars of the season’. Finally the final whistle blew, with AC Manor Park winning the Double.
Statement from Coach Musty Kamal “We dominated the game and should have killed the game off quicker. But credit to the ladz, who have been unbelievable this season and kept pushing till the last minute. We have another final to look forward to against Bromley by bow at Leyton Orient Football Stadium and inshallah will be ready for it”.