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 10th 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)
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. 
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
Samuel Michail
