Oldham's Coppice beat Rochdale's Asia to clinch title

9/ 5/2008

OLDHAM'S Coppice United are the new North West football champions after winning this year's Asian Image Cup.

The tournament held at the Blackburn Rovers Youth Academy in Brockhall Village saw eight teams compete for the title and it was Coppice who won the day beating holders Asia in the final.

They scored 15 goals in their three games and beat Rochdale’s Asia who had earlier dumped both Blackburn United and Canaries out of the tournament in two thrilling games.

Coppice came into this tournament as rank outsiders and after the first half-hour of their debut game must have thought they were way out of their depth.

But they came back from two-nil down against Paak and played some great football to beat Lancaster Moghuls in the semi's. It seems by not having taken part in this tournament before they were out to prove a point to the doubters.

Asia meanwhile were not going to let go of their crown that easily.

For two days they forced extra-time by scoring in injury-time and both times they won. Canaries and Blackburn United might well count themselves unlucky but they had the chances to finish Asia off but failed to take them.

Asia’s energy levels were impressive and they came back when other sides would have given up.

Against Canaries manager Saeed’s last throw of the dice worked and then remarkably it worked again the day after.

The final or ‘the battle of Greater Manchester’ began with Asia taking the lead through a Adam Kareem free-kick.

Coppice started slowly but came alive thanks to the midfield play of Danny O’Connell. It was his breathtaking through ball that allowed Waqas Yunis to equalise. Minutes later Coppice were in front after O’Connell calmly slotted home a pressure penalty.

Coppice's Yassar Farooq with his chin bandaged up rallied his troops to get them over the finishing line.

Asia who had been dubbed the Germany of this tournament after coming from behind to win again pressed for an equalizer. But this time they were thwarted as man of the match Ikram Daud put the game out of reach by beating two men before curling a right foot shot into the top corner.

Although Asia got one back this time it was too little too late as classy Coppice defended deep into injury time to be crowned the new kings of the North West.

- The final was refereed by premiership official Muhammed Matadar who also presented the man of the match award to Ikram Daud.

Full results:

QUARTER-FINALS Saturday May 3

- Lancaster Moghuls FC 4 - Oldham FC 1

- Blackburn United 4 - Fishwick Rangers 0

- Nelson Paak United 2 - Coppice United 4

- Preston Canaries 1 - Asia 1 (aet)

Asia won 4-3 on penalties

SEMI-FINALS Sunday May 4

- Blackburn United 2 - Asia 3 (aet)

- Lancaster Moghuls 2 - Coppice United 8

FINAL Monday May 3

- Asia 2 - Coppice United 3