Karachi United become first team from Pakistan to play in Standard Chartered Trophy at Anfield The KU Tour Diaries: After a spine-tingling end to the local qualifying tournament, which KU won on penalties against the Islamabad winners, KU embarked on a dream visit to Liverpool to represent Pakistan in the Standard Chartered Trophy 2014. Pakistan joined thirteen other countries including defending champions, Thailand, last year’s runners-up, MENA (represented by UAE), Singapore, Hong Kong, S.Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Europe (represented by the UK), the African trio of Gambia, Kenya and Nigeria and Bangladesh. Day One saw the Pakistan team (comprising team captain, Humza Khan, Imran Ali, Taha Alizai, Furkan Ali, Adeel M. Rizki, Khowaja Obaid Ilyas and Shahrukh Chaudhary) fly out to Manchester (via Dubai) alongwith the SCB representative, Marium Soomro and two members of the media, namely Abdul Raheem Khan (Jang Group) and Natasha Raheel (Express Tribune). The KU contingent ran into what they assumed to be the Singapore team at the Dubai airport, but they actually turned out to be the supporters of the Singapore team!! On the flight from Manchester to Dubai, Team Pakistan was joined by the contingent from Thailand, Phuket FC, a team of youngsters who had triumphed in a 200 team event in Thailand. Whereas the KU team’s average age was 34, Thai team didn’t appear to be a day over 19!! Upon arrival in Manchester, there was (an almost) seamless change-over to the waiting coach for the onward short trip by road to Liverpool. The United fans amongst Team Pakistan contingent making a point to the Liverpool supporters that even to get to Liverpool, they had to go through Manchester. After arriving at the Hilton Liverpool, the teams were advised that they would have to wait for some time before their rooms would be ready (understandable since there were over 140 persons from the 14 countries!!). The teams decided to explore the nearby Liverpool One shopping centre. After quick trips to a number of sports stores including the official Liverpool store, Team Pakistan grabbed lunch. Post lunch, Team Pakistan were greeted by the KU lads visiting from London (namely Arshian Ali, Danish Chattaroo, Shahab Raza and Haseeb ‘Kanu’ Khan). A challenge from the London boys soon saw the KU contingent lock horns in the first football of the tour, as the lads played a pick-up game near the hotel in Chavesse Park. The other teams saw the Pakistan team to be quite hardcore to be out there that early in the tour and the S.Korean side sent out their scouts. KU were soon joined by the Vietnamese contingent, whose slow paced session did not reflect what was to later transpire in the main event. After quick showers and a change, the KU boys joined the rest of their contingent and the other teams for the short bus ride to Liverpool Conference Centre, Albert Dock for the welcome dinner. This was the first real opportunity for the teams to interact and Team Pakistan straightaway got on with the boys from the UAE and Bangladesh. As the evening wore on, the KU boys also befriended many of the other teams including the Gambians, most of whom were 6 foot plus!! The evening was capped off by the entry of and speeches by two Liverpool legends i.e. Ian Rush and Dietmar Hammann. As with the other teams, the KU boys enjoyed the special photo op with the two Liverpool greats. As the evening drew to a close, the teams were regaled by the music of the The Mersey Beatles, with the UAE boys stealing the show with their dance moves. Although Team Pakistan had planned a team meeting, Imran Ali passed out bringing a quick end to proceedings. Some of the lads did manage a quick trip downstairs and what transpired will stay in Liverpool!!
Posted on: Sat, 17 May 2014 07:09:33 +0000