Ac Milano booked their place in the Division One Vaughan Cup Final for the first time as Naeem Yusuf & Zeeshan Nabi's double put them through.It has been Siraz "Khanki's" dream to be involved in a cup final since he went into 11-a-side football.Ac Milano who started back in 1993 as a 5-a-side team went into 11-a-side football in 2009/2010 season,the closest they been to winning a trophy is when they lost the Division One title by two points...
First half it was all Ac Milano as they scored three goals with Naeem Yusuf who scored the opener after good work by Talha Ali.Zeeshan Nabi got the second after Zuber Patel had set him up from the left.Good run into the Abridge Village penalty area from the left & he played the ball on the floor to Zeeshan Nabi who sidefooted his shot which creeped in under the Abridge Village goalkeeper.Ac Milano went three up when Zeeshan Nabi scored his second of the match,similar to his first goal his left foot shot this time went in to the goalkeepers left side & hit the inside of the side netting.The home side were three goals up & in dreamland.
Abridge Village hit back just before half time to make it 3-1.A short corner taken by Abridge Village & with a low cross the Abridge Village player tapped in to pull a goal back.At half time Ac Milano were still on top as they were two goals up & knew another forty five minutes and they are through.
In the second half Abridge Village pulled another goal back to get them back in the game & it was game on.A good run on the right by Abridge Village player & with Noorul Patel trying to challenge him couldnt prevent him to cross the ball which found an Abridge Village player who headed in at the far post to make it 3-2.Ac Milano were now under pressure but as putting their heads down & blaming each other they actually battled & defended so well.Abridge Village threw everything at Ac Milano to get that equaliser,long balls & long throw ins were put in the Ac Milano penalty area but they defended so well.Center backs Joel Griffiths & Naeem Khamis helped out by the holding midfielders Talha Ali & Khanki kept out Abridge Village dangerous balls.
Zuber Patel had a glorious chance to make it 4-2 but his close range shot went just over the crossbar,should of scored as the goal was right infront of him.It was a tense finsih as Ac Milano goalkeeper had to make couple diving saves & nearer to the end of the match Ac Milano just wanted that final whistle to blow.In the last minute Abridge Village were awarded a free kick & they threw everyone in the Ac Milano penalty area,even the goalkeeper.Abridge Village player did get a header on goal but just went over the crossbar as he was put of by Khanki's attempted challenge.That was the last attack as the final whistle went & great cheer from Ac Milano players as they held on to win this cup semi final.
A great achievement as all the players battled & were focused 100% all the way & they all done it for Khanki who has been waiting for this day.After the game Khanki said "the players were awesome,everyone gave me 100% in the game.The players wanted this so badly,you can see it in the first half we were awesome.Yes we let them back in the game but we had team spirit & all players helped each other.The defending was brilliant as Abridge Village were coming at us.i would like to say to my players & the subs who couldnt get to come on THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN...It was a dream to be involved in a 11-a-side cup final & iv got there"...
Ac Milano will play Renaissance Seniors in The Division One Vaughan Cup Final on Friday 22nd April 2016 at Redbridge Football Club...Kick Off 7:45PM.
