South Asians in Football Weekly: Ex-Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal set for AFC Asian Cup bow | Football News

The newest version of South Asians in Soccer Weekly is out after one other thrilling week for the group within the Stunning Sport…

Former Manchester United teenager Zidane Iqbal is in line for a global recall and an AFC Asian Cup debut.

The midfielder, whose mom is Iraqi and father is Pakistani, is predicted to return to the Iraq squad in time for subsequent month’s 24-team match, going down in Qatar. Iraq come up towards Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam within the group phases.

Iqbal left United after greater than a decade with the membership, becoming a member of Eredivisie facet FC Utrecht in the summertime, however has seen a delayed begin to his profession within the Netherlands as a result of a lingering harm.

The born and bred Mancunian has stepped up his return within the final 10 days, approaching within the house draw towards AZ Alkmaar, earlier than that includes in a 2-0 win away at Go Forward Eagles.

Sky Sports News revealed last year that Iqbal was due to be called up by Iraq and handed a testing international debut away at Iran.

Sky Sports activities Information broke the story that Iqbal had made historical past in December 2021 when he appeared in Manchester United’s Champions League sport towards Younger Boys to change into the first British South Asian to play for the club. Iqbal got here on within the closing phases of the sport, changing Jesse Lingard as a late substitute.

Odisha Soccer Membership president Raj Athwal couldn’t comprise his delight because the Indian Tremendous League facet clinched a spot within the knockout phases of the AFC Cup of their first ever look within the competitors.

Mourtada Fall scored the winner to earn Odisha 1-0 victory over Bangladeshi facet Bashundhara Kings, securing prime spot in Group G and a spot within the inter-zonal semi-final play-offs.

Talking solely to Sky Sports activities Information, Coventry-born Athwal stated: “Naturally, it is a great second for everybody related to the Odisha Soccer Membership, however it’s additionally a beautiful second for the Indian Tremendous League and Indian soccer. Big congratulations to everybody concerned.”

Maidstone United will host Stevenage within the third spherical of the FA Cup following Bivesh Gurung’s heroics within the earlier spherical.

Stevenage overcame Port Vale on penalties in a second-round replay on Tuesday to ebook their place within the subsequent stage, and a go to to the Gallagher Stadium.

Hometown hero Gurung struck a shocking 74th-minute winner for the Nationwide League South facet as they got here from behind to beat Barrow 2-1 and make it via to the FA Cup third spherical for the primary time because the membership was reformed within the mid-90s.

Kira Rai, who was recognised by the Sikh Community in Parliament final week for her contribution to sport, has an East Midlands derby to look ahead to after Derby County had been drawn at house towards Ladies’s Tremendous League facet Leicester Metropolis within the Adobe Ladies’s FA Cup fourth spherical.

Millie Chandarana’s Blackburn Rovers have been drawn away at fellow Championship facet Crystal Palace, with each ties going down on January 14.

Khela: That is what I’ve dreamed of

Brandon Khela declared his love for Birmingham Metropolis after penning a brand new long-term Blues contract at the start of the month.

The midfielder, who grew to become the primary British South Asian ever to play league soccer for the membership when he got here on towards Huddersfield in October, has performed in each Birmingham Metropolis age-group facet.

Khela is but to characteristic beneath Wayne Rooney, however did make the bench for the current Championship away video games at Coventry Metropolis and Cardiff Metropolis.

“I’ve been right here longer than 10 years now,” Khela stated after agreeing new phrases.

“It’s what I’ve dreamed of. To be right here now, it’s a excellent spot to be at.

“I’ve discovered fairly a bit [from the senior pros], simply the marginal good points. Everyone seems to be nice with me, and I like coming in each single day.

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“It has been a fantastic begin beneath the earlier supervisor [John Eustace]. Now I’m simply seeking to kick on and provides my all for the staff and every thing for the brand new gaffer. I’m actually excited.”

British South Asians in Football

For extra tales, options and movies, go to our groundbreaking South Asians in Football page on skysports.com and keep tuned to Sky Sports activities Information and our Sky Sports activities digital platforms.