For Noor Alam, September 13, 2026, will be marked as more than just another matchday. The Apolonia-Tomori derby became the beginning of a new chapter in the coaching career of the Murshidabad-born football professional, as he made his debut as a head coach and guided Apolonia to a 2-1 victory in the opening round of the Kategoria e Dytë Group B campaign.

Alam, who hails from Berhampore in Murshidabad, West Bengal, had the perfect start to his first assignment in the hot seat. Taking charge of Apolonia in a local derby added further significance to an already memorable occasion, with his side eventually securing all three points at the Stadiumi “Loni Papuçiu” in Fieri.

Apolonia started positively and went ahead in the 23rd minute through Derrick Owusu. The hosts carried their 1-0 advantage into the break before Muhamed Mehmeti doubled the lead in the 61st minute.

Tomori, however, refused to go down without a fight. Krios Daullxhiu pulled one back in the 82nd minute, setting up a tense finish for Alam and his players. Apolonia held firm during the closing stages to secure a 2-1 win and hand their new head coach a winning start.

The victory was particularly significant given the occasion. For Alam, it was his first match as a head coach, and the fact that it came in a derby made the achievement even more noteworthy. The Bengal-born holds UEFA A license, and has worked with Kerala Blasters as a technical director in the youth teams.

Noor Alam makes perfect start

Apolonia’s opening-round success also provides Alam with an early platform as he begins his journey in senior management. His challenge now will be to build on the promising start, with consistency across the Kategoria e Dytë season becoming the next test.

“It was my first match as head coach, my debut as head coach. I was under a bit pressure, as it was a derby as well. But we have won, very happy with the start,” Noor tells MyKhel in an exclusive chat.

For the Berhampore native, though, the first chapter could hardly have been scripted better: a derby, a competitive contest and, most importantly, a winning debut from the touchline, that also in Europe.