Hosts Tamil Eelam dominated the first match with a decisive 4-0 victory over Tibet on the opening day of the Conifa Asia Cup tournament 2025.
After a fun opening ceremony featuring characteristic red and yellow costumes, vibrant ribbon dances and Bharatanatyam performances at the Elmbridge Xcel Sport Hub in London, the Tamil team were buoyed on by the home crowd to take an early lead. The team quickly made the most of the jubilant atmosphere at Walton-on-Thames as they pounced on a Tibet corner to score in the 4th minute of the game.
They made a brilliant break through the Tibetan defence with captain Prashshanth smacking the ball confidently in the back of the net to score the first goal of the tournament. The team capitalised on the Tamil momentum in the 34th minute when Naveen again turned round a Tibet attack with a clever pass to vice-captain Ninon onside and a smart finish from British player Adshayan to make it a decisive 2-0.
The UK player - touted as ‘Mr Reliable’ by pundits - had recently scored in the Eelam cup final on Friday, winning the cup for the UKTSU team - and his goal in the match quickly establishes himself as a key figure in the Tamil Eelam team. Further chances came within the first half for the Tamil side, with forward Aathiththan at the 29th minute almost getting through the Tibet wall before the ball got stuck between his feet.
The Tibet team looked disjointed and unable to click, with a disconnect at times between their goalkeeper and defence - and despite rallying at times, failed to equalise on the pitch. A tactical half-time substitution by manager Mathan paid off as Dutch Sharushan proved his worth with a 58th minute goal after being aided by Aathiththan to put the hosts 3-0 up.
He dominated the second half with numerous shots on goal, including a dizzyingly close attempt at the 69th minute which went just shy of the post. His persistence paid off though, as he was rewarded with a second goal at the 72nd minute from a throw-in and assist by Swiss Saraniyan, to make it a decisive 4-0 victory for the Tamil Eelam team.
As the commentator declared ‘there’s no coming back now’, the Tamil Eelam flag flew proudly above the players on the pitch.
What was the main talking point?
The game was shortened to eighty minutes instead of the standard ninety after the over-running of the opening ceremony meant the pitch time could not be extended. It made no dent though in the Tamil team’s furore, as the hosts showed the other teams of the tournament why they were the defending champions.
The result solidified the metal of the Tamil team, which features players from the UK, Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and the Netherlands. Much talk heading into Conifa 2025 concerned whether the Tamil team might be tired after some players committed to consecutive games just before the tournament.
In particular, those from France and Switzerland - Keerthihan, Niruban, Ninon, Senthuran, Prasanth, Sujeen and Nivethan - played in a Tamil tournament on Sunday, before driving across countries to London where they underwent gruelling training on Monday before the Tuesday match.
But if they were tired this was not visible, as the players carried on and put local rivalries aside for the tournament, refusing to rest and playing through pain and ill-recovery for their country.
Which players made noteworthy appearances?
The team features both young players and veterans, such as Mahy, Thomas, Ninon and Prashanth. Mahy Nambiar in particular is likely to have felt the emotions of returning aged 30 as a starting senior, after playing in the first Tamil Eelam team back in 2012 as the youngest player. The goodwill of players and teams alike was highlighted off the pitch too, as local support came from Peri Peri King Express in Uxbridge, who have been providing meals for the entire team during the tournament.
What next for these teams?
The team will now go on to play East Turkistan at 1430 on July 2nd whilst the Tibet team will play East Turkistan on July 3rd at 1430, followed by the finals on Friday July 4th.
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All photographs courtesy of @league.prods/Instagram
Squad list @tamileelam.fa/Instagram