Last month, 154 of the finest players in the community gathered together to play in the 4th annual Community Cup in Rectory Park, Northolt. After another successful last year, we were once again blessed with having 14 sponsors for our teams who each had the following colours:
We kicked off the day with the 4 group games being played simultaneously until noon. The top 4 teams from each group would advance to the Cup, these included Westkin Associates, Eye Care Clinc, Kijana Kwanza and Jazz Print Solutions from group A and Conveno, Yourway, Academic Coaching and Holbud from group B. The next 2 teams that made the Plate were Medics Pharmacy and Spiritual Journeys from group A and Reignite and Who is Hussain from group B. Unfortunately, the bottom team from each group was eliminated, this was Saymur Accountants and Valesco Group.
The quarter finals of the Cup kicked off after namaaz where 3 out of the 4 games were decided by penalty shootout! From the shootouts, Yourway, Jazz Print Solutions and Holbud were the ones who kept their nerve and prevailed into the semi finals, joining Academic Coaching who won their fixture in normal time.
The Plate semi-final was next, and it was penalties once again deciding the victor as Who is Hussain advanced in their round. In the other semi finals, Reignite prevented a late comeback by Spiritual Journeys to advance.
The Cup semi-finals then followed. Jazz Print Solutions and Yourway faced off in a 3-3 thriller which finished with Jazz Print Solutions winning on penalties. Holbud also advanced through via penalty shootout vs Academic Coaching after a goalless draw in regulation.
The Plate final was then set, Reignite vs Who is Hussain. An early screamer from Murtaza Janmohammed sealed the victory for Reginite, crowning them plate champions.
It was then down to main event, the Cup final. Holbud vs Jazz Print Solutions. The game was back and forth in the first half, with the captains for both teams, MohammedMehdi Karim and Sajjadali Gulamhussein scoring headers for their respective teams making it 1-1. This was the fulltime score and it was once again going to be decided by penalties, where Holbud would prevail.
Crowning this years Community Cup Champions:
Holbud!
The individual award winners were:
Fair Play Award: Mohamed Jawad Gulamhussein
Golden Glove: Mohsen Sharifi
Golden Boot: MohammedMehdi Karim
Under 21 MVP: Qasim Kanani
Over 40 MVP: Muntazir Chandoo
MVP: Mohsen Sharifi
Overall, on behalf of SJFC, we would like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, players and spectators on the day who helped make this tournament a resounding success. Links to the photos are below!
