Emdad Rahman
An array of community legends took to the field as Sunamganj and Sylhet over 40s faced off for the title of the first ever Sylhet District Champions UK. Both teams had enjoyed impressive unbeaten runs to the final as Hobiganj and Moulvibazar were sent home easily. And there were plenty of personalities on show in this glamour final. Sunamganj were captained by the celebrated warhorse Goyas Miah – the very first Sporting Bengal United captain. Zak Hussain’s Sylhet were skippered by the iconic Repon Choudhury – the only captain to lift the Sonali Othith Greater Sylhet Upazila Cup.
It was always going to be a tight knit affair, adnd both teams failed to capitalise on gilt edged chances. A first half touchline skirmish with Jamalur Rahman and Repon Choudhury saw both men shown the red card. Despite the flashpoint, the game was played in great spirits. It was early on in the second half that the deadlock was broken as Mohammed Nazmul Hoque stole in to beat Abdul Hakim with a deft header and score the winning goal for Sunamganj.
Sunamganj captain Goyas Miah said, “Sylhet are a great team made up of great players. We had a game plan in mind to subdue the attacking threat and fluidity within Zak Hussain’s team and it worked well. They are dangerous on the front foot and we had to be at our best defensively. Having said that, we have quite a few big game players ourselves, and we are ecstatic with the result.”
Sunamganj manager Shofiqul Islam is arguably the most successful club manager in Tower Hamlets. The golden gaffer was jubilant, “It’s not another day at the office. Sylhet were a huge attacking threat all the way. I watched their early games and had to think hard of a way to counter their power play and potency up front. It’s an unbelievable honour to lift this trophy. Commiserations to our worthy opponents – They will have plenty of success in the future.”
•The inaugural Sonali Othith inaugural Sylhet District Cup UK took place at Mabley Green Astro on 6th November 2016. Sonali Othith is at the forefront of promoting football for the over 35s in the community and inspiring a healthy lifestyle among its participants. For more information, go to: www.sonaliothith.org
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