Kuwait Indian Football Federation: Kerala Challengers, Navelim and United Goans Centre win

Kerala Challengers, Navelim and United Goans Centre win

Real Betalbatim and Indian Strikers settle for draw

With just two weeks of matches left to complete the league stage of the J.P. D’Mello memorial Rolling Trophy, the picture is still not clear as to who will qualify for the quarter finals of the KIFF league with only Kuwait Goan Association having confirmed their place in the last sixteen. The quality of the teams and soccer has been exception this year and Kerala Challengers once again confirmed they are the team to beat with their third straight victory, while Navelim Youth Centre and United Goans Centre also collected full points in the sixth week of matches played at the MOH Grounds in Kuwait in the KIFF league organized by the Kuwait Indian Football Federation – Kuwait.

Cruzedio Rodrigues receiving his Highest Goals Scorer award for season 2011-12 from Menino Mario

In the first match of the day, Kerala Challengers proved their class when they overwhelmed Santos United 3-0. Noufam Esmail opened the scoring for the Kerala team in the 15^th minute of the first half and Arun Appukuttan and Shabeerali scored the second and third to complete the rout. Kerala Challengers now have nine points from three matches and have virtually qualified for the quarter finals with one more match still to play. The match was officiated by Sharma and ably assisted by Sarto Baptista and Michael on the lines.    Noufam Esmail was declared the Man of the Match and received his award sponsored by Integrated Logistics Company, from the hands of Derrick Gomindes , Vice President of KIFF .

Well known Producer, Director and Actor Menino Mario hailing from Colva (Goa) was on hand to give away the ‘Joint Highest Goal Scorer’ for the KIFF Season 2011-12,   which was long pending to Cruzedio Rodrigues of Navelim Youth Centre during a break in the matches. Menino Mario was in Kuwait to participate in a Konkani Drama on the same day and came to witness the matches.

Derrick Gomindes the V.President of KIFF giving away the Man of the Match award to Noufam of Kerala Challengers

In the second match at 8:15am, Real Betalbatim and Indian Strkiers slugged it out for a 1-1 draw, thus throwing group A wide open. Real Betalbatim with their dashing forward Denzil jadhav in fine touch scored first when Denzil’s power packed shot on goal from just outside the penalty area of an indirect kick pass, went past the outstretched hands of the Indian Strikers goalkeeper in the 20^th minute of the first half. Indian Strikers threw in all they had, and were lucky to get the equalizer in the second half when Lawrence’s try missed the feet of at least four defenders in the Betalbatim goal area and found the net. Denzil Jadhev of Real Betalbatim was declared the man of the match for the third time this season and received his award from William the President of Indian Strikers. The match was officiated by Julio Cardoso and assisted by Sharma and Michael on the lines.

IFRA Officials Julio Cardoso with assistants Michael and Sharma

Man of the Match Denzil Jadhev receiving award from William the President of Indian Strikers

Indian Strikers

Real betalbatim

Cruzedio Rodrigues once again showed why he is the most feared striker in Kuwait when he scored a fine hat-trick to help demolish YRC Rising Stars 5-0 in an all important match Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) had to win to stay in contention to qualify in group B. Rising Stars who have now lost all their matches and have no chance of qualifying started the game in attacking mode, but it was their defense that let them down. The hattrick by Cruzedio and two more by Duarte Ferrao playing in an unusual role of a forward were scored when the Rising Stars defense was split with precise through balls. Man of the match was rightly given to Cruzedo for his fine hat trick and the award was given by Francis Fernandes the President of IFRA. The match was officiated by Sarto Baptista and assisted by Julio Cardoso and Alvaro on the lines.

Ifra Officials Sarto Baptista with assistants Julio Cardoso & Alvaro Dias

Rising Stars

Man of the Match Cruzedio receiving his award from
the hands of IFRA President Francis Fernandes

Navelim Youth Centre

In the last match of the day, United Goans Centre (UGC) finally got on the points tally and kept their chances alive in group A when they beat Malabar United FC 1-0. Both the teams had their share of chances and the only goal of the match came when a Malabar defender blasted the ball into his own goal when trying to make a hasty clearance in a goalmouth melee. Ruzario Braganza who was a constant threat to the Malabar defiance was declared the man of the match and received his award from KIFF Pro Julio Cardoso. Alvaro Dias was the center referee and ably assisted by Vincy and Nikush on the Lines.