The latest edition of South Asians in Football Weekly is out after another sensational week for the community in the Beautiful Game.
Millie Chandarana ended her campaign on a high after winning Blackburn Rovers Goal of the Season for the second year in a row and helping the club to their highest-ever Women’s Championship finish. Rovers beat Sheffield United 3-1 on the final day of a record-breaking season, extending their unbeaten run to eight games and finishing top half, behind fifth-placed Birmingham City only on goal difference.
Trailblazer Chandarana – who has been ever-present this term and featured in the 2022/23 South Asians in Football Team of the Season – won last year’s Goal of the Season for her magnificent individual effort against Charlton Athletic. And it was a jaw-dropping first-time strike against the same opposition back in January that has earnt her back-to-back Goal of the Season awards.
Ryan Hedges won the men’s award for his stunning half-volley against Watford at the beginning of the Sky Bet Championship campaign.
Chandarana told Sky Sports News: “It’s been an unforgettable season for us as a team. All of the girls are really proud of what we’ve achieved.
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“Everyone – the coaches, support staff, people across the club, my team, and of course the fans – absolutely everyone has played their part.
“On a personal level, I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to contribute on and off the pitch. Winning Goal of the Season for the second year in a row was definitely the icing on the cake for me this year.
“It’s time to rest, reflect, celebrate a little and come back next season ready to try and improve upon what we’ve done this year.”
Chandarana is one of four role model players showcased in a groundbreaking timeline and exhibition, documenting the journey of South Asian heritage players in the English women’s game. The technically-gifted midfielder, who is a graduate of the Blackburn Rovers Centre of Excellence, is also the recipient of the world’s first South Asians in Football Leadership scholarship.
Hamza Choudhury sealed a return to the Premier League after Leicester clinched automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship before kicking a ball following Leeds United’s 4-0 loss at QPR.
The British-Bangladeshi midfielder has featured in 32 matches this season, captaining the side on a number of occasions and often playing as an inverted right-back under boss Enzo Maresca. Choudhury and his Leicester team-mates will go up as champions if they beat Preston North End on Monday night, live on Sky Sports Football.
The Punjabi Rams official supporters’ group are celebrating Derby County’s promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship, fresh from the women’s team winning their first-ever national trophy. Derby beat Carlisle 2-0 at Pride Park as Paul Warne’s side secured second place in League One and automatic promotion to the Championship, six days after the Ewe Rams won the FA Women’s National League Plate.
“It is fantastic today to celebrate promotion back to the Championship, less than a week after watching our women’s team lift their first major trophy,” Punjabi Rams founder Pav Samra told Sky Sports News.
“Two years ago, we marched to save our club (from administration), words cannot describe the emotions and the passion of that day.
“Two years later, David Clowes (owner) and this brilliant group (of staff and players) have saved us and got us back up.
“Now we need to stabilise and look forward to the future – and get the Rams back-to-back, where they belong, back in the Premier League.”
The Punjabi Rams have sponsored trailblazing Derby County Women winger Kira Rai for the last seven years.
Rai, who wears number 15 and is in her 15th year with the club, started in the Plate final triumph over Cambridge United. The attacker told Sky Sports News last week she was “so proud to be a part of a squad and a group of staff that have written their name into Derby County’s history books”.
Rai was back in the thick of the action at the weekend, scoring the opener with the first headed goal of her senior career as Derby County beat Liverpool Feds 4-3 in their last home game of the season. Rai also provided an assist for skipper Amy Sims with Emelia Wilson and Dolcie O’Connor also on target for Derby.
It was Derby’s third game in eight days and saw the Ewe Rams bounce straight back to winning ways after a 5-1 loss at Wolves in midweek. Teenager Layla Banaras, who joined Wolves on dual registration in February, was particularly impressive in the game. Birmingham-born Banaras started in a central midfield role and assisted Beth Merrick in the first half, before playing in Amber Hughes to score after the break.
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