Coptic Orthodox Football Tournament Association (COFTA) 2014 - Article by Samuel Michail

We were all missing a bit of COFTA in our lives. With no tournament in 2013, it had been too long. So we all strapped on the shin-pads, tied up our boots, and got going on the 10^th annual Coptic Orthodox Football tournament. Golders Green and the hosts, Stevenage, joined the holders and pre-tournament favourites, Brighton, in Group A. The 2012 runners-up, Croydon found themselves in what appeared a challenging group B with our friends from the north, Nottingham and Rotherham.

And so we began. Despite the fact that we were awoken at 5:00am on Saturday morning to the sounds of a thunderstorm, we didn’t allow that to rain on our parade as we marched out onto the oh so familiar pitches in Shephalbury Park.

The opening game in group A was a tentative affair with neither Golders Green nor Brighton able to find the breakthrough, and it ended a goalless draw, a result which should’ve been repeated when Golders faced Stevenage, but for a Golders goal which the Croydon linesman deemed to have crossed the line. Despite numerous onlookers, the players AND the ref believing it hadn’t, he was adamant it did and the game ended 1-0. No, I’m not bitter at all. When Brighton faced Stevenage, the St George boys defended like warriors and for all Brighton’s attacking flair, they just couldn’t find a way through our resolute defence, until a penalty was awarded for a handball that wasn’t, and it was coolly slotted home. Stevenage found themselves in the familiar position of “If we win our next two games by large margins we can still go through”, as we walked into lunch.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of group B’s game isn’t as in depth as it should be as I was so indulged in the events of my team and my group. However, the highlights include an inspired fight back from Nottingham against Croydon, rescuing a point after being 2-0 down thanks to two headers from their striker Nduoma Chilaki, and an Amir Ameen hat-trick giving Rotherham the three points they needed. Going into lunch, it was clear that group B would have a much tighter finish then that of group A.

We hobbled back onto the pitches, our muscles aching and our stomach’s filled with spaghetti bolognaise, determined to find out who will compete in Sundays semi-finals. Group A resumed very similar to how it started, with a close match between the holders and Golders, ending 1-0 to Brighton. This flung the group wide open but as soon as Golders defeated Stevenage 2-0, we had lost all hope of qualifying and the final game between Brighton and Stevenage ended up being a chance to rest those in need of rest and give the whole squad a run out.

Group B was much tighter as expected. Croydon found their form thanks to some inspired team talks from John Halaka and Anthony Daniel, to beat the Nottingham boys, this time managing to hold onto their lead. Nottingham then beat Rotherham, so it was down to the final game. Croydon v Rotherham. The winner joins Nottingham in the semi final. A draw suited Croydon. It was beautifully poised for a thrilling finish. Rotherham take the lead. Half time. Anthony tells his boys, ‘get me the ball, I will make something happen’. Amir Ameen takes on responsibility of man-marking Anthony. Dying moments, Amir looses his man, Anthony is free, and he scores! The Croydon fans erupt, Rotherham heartbroken. Croydon see the game out at 1-1 and they’ve done it! (Sorry for picking on you there Amir)

And so, the day was almost over. We hobbled back into the cathedral to end the day in the unity of prayer as we prayed Vespers together. The topic of the Vespers sermon by HG Bishop Angaelos was about fellowship and our responsibility to encourage and support one another not just on the football pitch, but spiritually as well.

Sunday would offer us the chance to see a repeat of the 2012 final. Brighton v Croydon on first and they would play the winner of Golders Green v Nottingham in the final. The day started on a lovely note as we were joined by Bishop Moussa to pray the mass with us. Following that, rooms were tidied, brunch was taken and then everyone got into game mode. Brighton opened the scoring, with Mina ‘Deutch’ Muharib bagging his fourth of the campaign. Croydon went for it, they had to, they threw the kitchen sink at it. However, inevitably with them pushing on so hard, gaps were created and Brighton took full advantage as they grabbed the goal that sent them to the final on the break. Another deep and inspiring team talk delivered by John and they promised to be back even stronger next year.

Semi-final number 2 saw Golders Green start at a rapid pace as they took a quick 2-goal lead, which should’ve been extended even more. However, as the Nottingham team has already shown us this tournament, they are not ones to give up and feel sorry for themselves. Captain Mark Khalil rallied the troupes as they gave it everything against the tiring Golders boys and they pulled level before the final whistle went. The nerving affair of a penalty shootout to come. Nottingham scored all their penalties, they had ice running through their veins, but regrettably the Golders boys couldn’t do the same and they were knocked out. Hani Mohib, the Golders coach, lamented the fact they couldn’t hold on to a 2-0 lead, but also exclaimed just how proud he was of his boys and what a fantastic job they’ve done. I second that, Hani.

And now onto the COFTA 2014 Final. The atmosphere was filled with a mixture of tension, excitement and nerves. Nottingham found themselves in the lead when the tournaments top-scorer, Nduoma, ‘scored’ a simply stunning bending and curling free-kick. He ended the tournament with 5 goals, the free-kick deemed to have gone in of the keepers heel, so awarded as an own-goal. However, Brighton fought back and levelled the scoring, but when Nottingham scored again, Brighton had to summon every last ounce of energy to hold on to their trophy, which has found home with them for the last 4 years. Lead by the incredible, player of the tournament, Ashley Brown they produced wave after wave of attacks, but David Morgan was an absolute rock in defence. The few times they did manage to get behind him, the captain, and winner of the golden glove award, Mark Khalil pulled of some simply outstanding saves. The final whistle blew and the celebrations began! Everyone joined in the group bundle, including the Nottingham priest. Thrilling scenes. Nottingham lifted the famous cup as the Brighton boys looked on, vowing to come back stronger next year, with captain Mikael stating that training will go up to three times a week! Congratulations to Nottingham and well done Brighton for playing your part in what was a thrilling final. 

I personally can’t wait till COFTA 2015. I would like to thank everyone who made this tournament so successful, from the kitchen staff, to the fans, to the players to the priests and bishops and to all the captains, coaches and managers. See you all next September!

                                                                                                                                                      Samuel Michail

COFTA: Coptic Orthodox Football Tries Again

“Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental.”
 

We patiently waited for summer to end and autumn to dawn upon us. June... July...  August...  September... That’s right. It was time to separate the fine from the foul, the slackers from the slick and the fat from the fit. Before September closed its curtains on us for yet another year, it went out with a bang: COFTA 2012.

This year saw the absence of the Rotherham boys as they were preoccupied celebrating a wedding in the only way they know how – “three days in the monastery post-ceremony”. . . Sure. As finalists for the previous two years, the draw was thrown wide open. The North was not to be forgotten though as Nottingham made their return to the elite scene after several years out.

The day started off late, as usual, with the traditional prayers and photo after the gate was disassembled by the custodian of the spanner himself: Uncle Rafat. With the first two group games getting underway, comfortable victories came to the holders, Brighton, and to Croydon. As St George FC took to the pitch against Nottingham, one thing became clear. Up north, “Football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors.” This proved true as both teams were held to a draw on both occasions and all we had to show for it was battle scars likened to those on the frontline (pictures available upon request). Lucky Elia missed it all as he prioritised his MOT above his football. BUT GOOD NEWS PEOPLE! He passed! Needless to say avoid the roads.

Right before we called half-time on the day, a St George FC player, who shall remain Amonyous...I mean anonymous, decided that 3-0 down in the second half it would be wise to play Maradona in his own net. The referee kindly gave the goal to spare him further blushes (which Brighton would inflict later that day).

Lunch time was upon us. Forget half-time oranges; burgers and chips were the highly nutritional snack of the day with the only veg in sight that of ketchup. Enough said. Clearly Jamie Oliver’s healthy eating campaign had yet to hit the Coptic Community within England. Chief Galtta’s touch was truly missed.

You may be wondering where St Mark’s feature in the picture. They packed their bags and made their way home after the first day of action following retirement from the game of big names such as ex-captain “The Ramon Risk” himself. But St George FC were determined not to go out without leaving their mark on the tournament (as Nottingham had on my leg). And they did just that. 11-1 losers to Brighton in what was the greatest ever defeat in COFTA history. With players putting in transfer requests in left right and centre, rumour had it that COFTA team’s players would hereby be decided by geographical location... Couldn’t agree more. I’m on my way to Brighton as we speak and the whole Brighton team is being deported back to Germany and France.

And so it was, St George FC bowed out at the group stage: “We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we’re just not a very good football team right now.” Nottingham too made history being the first team to reach the semis without recording a single victory.

Day Two saw Croydon meet Brighton in the final which saw, ex-St George player, and now almost amateur referee, G. Farah do a much better job than some of the other refs across the weekend *COUGH-Fady Malik-COUGH*. Clearly underdogs, Croydon took the lead with an emphatic strike by Meerky-cat which sent their fans and crippled Egyptian punter Michael Tadros into euphoria. Vin Diesel soon after silenced the masses and sent Fr Yohanna in the clouds, a familiar place for the Man of Cloth, with a great penalty (Michael Shenouda, take notes). Soon after, COFTA’s first broken bone when Brighton’s Shady snapped his collar bone in two and had to be lured off the pitch as he insisted he was fit to play... There was some truly remarkable football played by both teams.

The final continued into the darkness and when extra-time couldn’t separate the teams it went down to penalties. At this stage, the Sports Correspondent had to make his way home and missed the shootout. He did hear however that it was an enthralling encounter that ended with the Brighton keeper almost losing his life in the post-match celebration.

Either way, there was one team that really shone out from the rest in their spirit of love, peace and graciousness. Furthermore, they played some of the highest quality football COFTA has ever seen. Their two training sessions a week had paid dividends and Brighton became the first team to win COFTA three years on the trot.

Brighton, next year save yourself the journey and the hassle. Keep the trophy and we’ll call it quits ;)

COFTA Secretary & Sports correspondent
J. Shenouda
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