Deeplish Neeli defeat Bilal Legends in community football tournament

The wiiners Deeplish Neeli with the Mayor Mr Shahid the MD of Worldwide

Deeplish Neeli defeated Bilal Legends 6-3 in the final of a 2005 five-a-side community football tournament. The tournament has been running for over a month. It involved teams from different areas in Rochdale. Sports For All organised the tournament. Their aim is to bring young adults from different areas together, using the power of football.

The Mayor Councillor Ashley Dearnley, along with the MD of sponsors Worldwide C&C Ltd, attended the finals. The first semi-final saw Deeplish Neeli defeat Milkstone’s Jamia Chestia 7-2 to ease themselves into the final. The second semi-final saw a rematch of last year’s final, the holders Castlemere’s Idara Allstar’s playing the team they defeated on a penalty shootout, Bilal Legends of Wardleworth.

Idara took the lead, but the Legends struck back. The match remain levelled at 1-1. Extra time saw Bilal Legends home 4-1. In the heat one felt the amount of energy used by the Legends to overcome the holders may cost them in the final. Deeplish with the extra rest would be the beneficiary and so it proved in the final.

Before the final began, the Mayor, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, met both teams. The Mayor congratulated them on reaching the final. Addressing both teams, Councillor Dearnley commented “Football not only promotes health, it is a tool that can be used to bring different communities closer. I congratulate the part which Sports for All, and the investment Worldwide C&C Ltd, are making to promote goodwill in our communities”. The Mayor concluded “different communities coming together and getting to know each other is an important investment for tomorrow and one which I will always support.”  

Mr Shahid the MD of Worldwide, along with the teams, applauded Councillors Dearnley's speech and expressed his delight at “working for a more healthy and united Rochdale.”

The final got underway with both teams looking evenly matched. At half time they were level 3-3. In the second half, Neeli took control and scored three late second half goals to win the trophy.

Samar Mushtaq, Manager of Deepish Neeli congratulated his team on their success adding; “I was fairly confident my team would win. They have been terrific ambassadors for Deeplish. This has been another successful football story for Deeplish Neeli.”

Moheeb the team captain of the Legends commented “playing two matches in this heat, and given the injuries we suffered, we did well under the circumstances. However, I congratulate Neeli.” 

Sports for All tournaments Director Mr Rizwan added “this year was another success. Getting different teams from different areas is always difficult as there is religion and politics between them. However by using football, we will continue to overcome these barriers for the benefit of Rochdale.”