WHILE the Canada Premier team may not be participating in the Pacific Cup, the club is still proudly represented through two of its standout footballers.
Shahil Khan and Aydin Ali, both Canadian talents, are flying the maple leaf by turning out for the USA All Stars in the prestigious tournament.
And on Day 1 at Bill McKinley Park in Auckland, New Zealand, the duo wasted no time making their presence felt, playing key roles in the USA All Stars’ emphatic 4–1 dismantling of Fiji champions Labasa.
Khan, in particular, turned heads with his blistering speed and deft footwork, repeatedly entertaining the crowd and unsettling Labasa’s defensive line.
He outpaced the seasoned Babasiga Lions defenders to coolly slot home his first Pacific Cup goal, the team’s fourth, a strike that momentarily silenced the strong Labasa contingent at the park.
“It’s an amazing feeling being able to score my first Pacific Cup goal, especially against the BOG champs of Fiji. Scoring against the legendary former Fiji national team goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau has me in awe,” Khan said.
“When I received the ball, I knew it was time to use my speed to get the upper advantage. I stayed calm and collected to get the ball into the back of the net.”
Looking ahead to their next game, Khan says the mission remains unchanged.
“Fight hard and secure the win. It was the first time many of our teammates played together, so it was a bit difficult. But once we found our rhythm, we were flying.”
Ali, meanwhile, provided composure and discipline in key moments, linking play with maturity beyond his years and contributing to the attacking fluidity that defined the USA All Stars’ performance.
