FOOTBALLING teacher Hadi Malik succeeded where a host of England legends have failed – by scoring the winning penalty in a shoot-out against Germany.
Mr Malik fired the decisive spot-kick in the final of an international seven-aside tournament in New York.
In doing so he eclipsed the likes of England internationals Chris Waddle, Stuart Pearce and Gareth Southgate, who all missed crucial penalties in big games against the old enemy.
The goal secured the trophy for his side, in a competition for Muslim teams from around the world.
And it capped a string of stand-out performances by the Moor End Technology College PE teacher, who was named player of the tournament.
Liverpool fan Mr Malik, 28, said: “We were just on a high afterwards.
“It was absolutely phenomenal. To me it was the same feeling as when Liverpool won the Champions League final in 2005 – a once in a lifetime thing.”
The tournament, played at the New York Knicks basketball complex last Saturday, brought together 16 teams from the USA, Canada and Europe.
The England team had beaten three teams from the US and two from Belgium on the way to the final.
In the final, England were losing 2-1 in normal time before Mr Malik scored from the spot to equalise and take the game into extra time.
With the teams still level, he was called on to perform further heroics by going in goal when his team’s first choice goalkeeper was injured.
He saved the first penalty in the shoot-out before scoring the winner.
He said: “It was awesome. We’d never played together as a team before, but we just gelled.
“It was a great event to be a part of.”
