Muhammad Talha
London remain in pole position after Round Two of the Inter City Bangla Cup.
Bedfordshire was the host as the second round of the veterans football tournament took place at the Chalk Hill Academy in Luton.
London saw off Luton 2-1 in the first game with goals from Helal Uddin and top scorer Aktar Hussain. Both assists were provided by Akbal Ahmed.
Keeper Raqeeb Shamim’s commanding performance between the sticks as well as the game management of Sherif Ahmed and Bodrul Zaman did much to maintain a London lead.
In the match of the day London overcame a 2-0 deficit against Birmingham to draw level through Saim Hussain and Helal Uddin before a lapse in concentration saw the Brummies score a classy last minute winner.
In the penultimate third game a top of the table clash with Sussex saw London come back strong to win 2-0 through Helal Uddin and Aktar Hussain. The back line of Mamun Uddin, Helal Uddin, Mofojul Ali and Kamruz Zaman were instrumental in providing the backbone for an important victory.
The 16-player veteran squads from each city will continue to compete in a round robin format as the show moves on to Sussex next month.
Second round results from Round 2 of the Inner City Bangla Cup 2024:
– Luton 1-2 London (Helal Uddin, Aktar Hussain) – Birmingham 0-0 Sussex – Birmingham 3-2 London (Kamal Hussain 2, Anayeth Hussain) – Luton 0-1 Birmingham (Monjur Chowdhury) – Birmingham 0-0 Sussex – Luton 1-3 Sussex (Tarek Miah, Abdul Munim 2) – Sussex 0-2 London (Helal Uddin, Aktar Hussain)
Sussex Team Manager Tarek Miah commented, “The standards of veteran players is still excellent but more importantly football is unique in prolonging fitness and aiding mental health wellbeing. Well done to all our participants today and we look forward to hosting the next round in January.”
The Inter City Bangla Cup is an exciting and vibrant football tournament designed to bring veteran players from London, Sussex, Luton, and Birmingham together.
Team London:
Md Raqeeb Shamim – Mamun Uddin – Helal Uddin – Akbal Ahmed – Sherif Ahmed – Saim Hussain – Kamruz Zaman – Aktar Hussain – Bodrul Zaman – Saad Miah – Mofojul Ali – Head Coach: Emdad Rahman