World in One City founder 'couldn't have asked for better'

The founder of World in One City knows he can't complain due to "competing with the Euros".

The 2024 final of the WIOC did not disappoint as it kicked off at Jericho Lane with 2022 winners England facing Libya. WIOC saw 16 teams, made up from their national heritage make it to the tournament stage to see who would be crowned 2024 Champions.

Libya made it by beating match favourites the Somali Team 1 - 0, scoring three minutes before the end. England beat the Rest of the World in a penalty shootout, 3 - 2, after the game ended 0 -0.

READ MORE: Liverpool stance on Darwin Nunez exit after surprise Jose Mourinho transfer claim

READ MORE: Win a £100 Amazon gift card in our amazing Euro 2024 prize giveaway

WIOC founder Imad Ali said: "Libya, England, it’s going to be a tasty one; Libya coming with their culture, their fans and their energy. England coming with their reputation, so it should be a good encounter.

"We can't complain considering we’ve been competing with the Euros. The weather’s not been the best, but people have still come out in their numbers.

"I’m immensely proud. A dream come true. I can’t take all the credit; I got a massive team of guys who volunteer their time and effort, and do such a good job to put the show on for everybody".

Chris Walker, England manager wasn’t distracted by the national team also playing and for his game plan he said: "Libya are a fit team who work hard and chase every ball.

“We’ve got to match their energy or we will be outworked by them. If we match their energy, I'd say we’ve got more quality.

“The tournament’s been superb, we’re in the final. Hopefully we can make it better and take the trophy home".

Libya manager Malek Elwerfalli added: "We reached the quarter finals in the first year, unfortunately we didn't make it in the second or third year. Unexpectedly, this year, we reached the final and we were under no pressure, I think that’s the main thing that brings us here.

“Other teams like Nigeria, Jamaica, everyone expected them to be in the final. They were under pressure, knocked out by us. Today we’ll make it, we’ll get it home. Inshallah, we have to fight until the last minute and just win it".

The match kicked off later than the scheduled 2pm on June 30. The first half saw neither keeper really tested and it finished 0 -0. Both teams played with passion, flashes of skill, displayed by underdogs Libya who edged the first half, with battles all over the pitch in a game that was not for the faint hearted.

The second half saw England's goalkeeper called upon to make a few crucial saves when Libya looked certain to score. The game's best chances were wasted by Libya; firing wide or thwarted by the England goalkeeper, who was on top form.

England's chances were few and far between and they went a man down for decent. This made their task harder by losing their leading, and joint tournament top goalcorer due to some choice words aimed at the referee.

Despite edging the play and best chances, Libya could not find the clinical finishes and the script was set for it to end goalless. The final whistle signalled the dreaded penalty shootout after it ended 0 - 0.

After a Libyan save and Libya hitting the bar the shootout was tied at 4 - 4 as it went into sudden death. Libya saved the next spot kick and Libyan fans invaded the pitch believing they won, but were left hand on heads as the Libyan goalkeeper did not have at least one foot on the goal line and this resulted in a retake.

England scored it, making it 5 - 4 to England. Libya scored their next kick to level at 5 - 5.

Libya saved England’s next kick and the fans invaded, but the tie was not over as Libya had to score to win.

They did score, and third time lucky the fans rushed the pitch. They and the players drummed, chanted and held flares paraded in victory as WIOC Champions 2024.

On winning, Libyan manager, Malek, was "over the moon", and his voice had almost gone. He said: "I enjoyed the good feeling, being WIOC winners.

"We were the underdogs. We were playing with no pressure at all (and) that helped us reach the final. That was the main thing.

"The boys today made it by working hard. Their keeper was incredible today, but from the first minute we knew we were going to win it.

"We fought for it with all the hard work. Of course, hard work pays off, and that’s what happened today".

WIOC Founder Imad continued: "The teams have performed to the level I expected them to and all in all I’m very very happy how 2024 has panned out. It’s an expectancy now, the pressure is always there to put on tournaments like this.

"We had to make sure it was better this year, and were planning for next year before this year finished. Amazing. Honestly I couldn't have asked for anything better".

For information, interviews, pictures, videos and more visit WIOC HERE

The Liverpool Daily Post newsletter delves into the biggest stories on Merseyside

Claim a free pair of horse racing tickets to Haydock Park in association with Racing TV this summer