The 2022/23 season highlighted the achievements of British South Asians in football, showcasing talents at various levels, including women’s leagues and international competitions. A combined XI was formed by Dev Trehan and Zohaib Rashid to recognize standout players like Safia Middleton-Patel, Asmita Ale, Yan Dhanda, and others who made significant contributions to their teams and communities.
The 2022/23 football season marked significant progress for British South Asians, with players contributing at various levels in women’s football and the English Football League. As part of this celebration, Sky Sports journalist Dev Trehan and Desi Ballers founder Zohaib Rashid assembled a pioneering combined XI, highlighting standout performances by South Asian athletes.
Goalkeeper: Safia Middleton-Patel, a young talent from Manchester United, had a remarkable season, achieving her first professional contract and maintaining a clean sheet on her Wales international debut. She played in the FA Women’s Championship, loaned to Coventry United and Blackburn Rovers.
Defenders: Asmita Ale had 17 appearances for Spurs, contributing to a solid season in the Women’s Super League and representing England U23s. Easah Suliman played 16 times for UD Vilafranquense and earned a call-up to the Pakistan national team, while Mal Benning became a key player for Port Vale in League One.
Midfielders: Otis Khan made 31 league appearances for Grimsby, also receiving his first international call-up for Pakistan. Hamza Choudhury spent the season at Watford on loan, demonstrating solid performance and recently securing a contract extension with Leicester City. Millie Chandarana impressed at Blackburn Rovers, getting recognized for her contribution and securing a first professional contract.
Attack: Yan Dhanda had a productive season with Ross County, scoring six goals and assisting ten times in the Scottish Premiership. Mariam Mahmood concluded her season as West Brom’s top scorer, while Kira Rai recorded significant achievements with Derby County, including multiple goals and assists in key matches.
Other notable mentions include Rohan Luthra, who debuted in the Sky Bet Championship, and several young players like Ronan Maher and Zidane Iqbal, showcasing their potential in senior football. Players like Nadia Khan and Zahmena Malik achieved significant milestones, including international records. Lastly, Adil Nabi continues to represent South Asians abroad, making strides in Greece.
Original Source: www.skysports.com
