Kuwait Indian Football Federation

Friday, November 30, 2012

AVC, UFC and Indian Strikers in last eight

AVC, UFC and Indian Strikers in last eight

Santos United hold Skynet Raiders in KIFF league

Santos United held mighty Skynet Raiders, while AVC Sports & Cultural Association, United Friends Club and Indian Strikers registered comfortable wins in the penultimate week of matches in the league stage of the KIFF league for the J.P. D’Mello Trophy organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation and played last Friday at the MOH Grounds in Shuwaikh.

In an important qualification match, AVC overwhelmed CRC Chinchinim 6-0 in a largely one sided match that both teams had to win to qualify for the quarterfinal stage. Strong title contenders, AVC took complete control of the match right from the start with Liston Raju along with Vincy controlling and dictating terms in the defense. In form Kevin Vaz, Savio Fernandes, Anthony Rodrigues, Reagen, Sydney Monteiro and Melwin scored to ensure AVC who have the same points as Goa Maroons, topped group D on better goal difference. Diminutive Sydney Monteiro was declared Man of the Match and received his award sponsored by Integrated Logistics Company, from the hands of ex-Salgaocar player Pascoal Fernandes.

In the second match at 8:15am, DHL FC, last year’s runners-up, needing only a draw in group C went down fighting to a strong United Friends club (UFC) 0-2. In the group of death which also featured last year’s champions Don Bosco Oratory who failed to qualify, UFC needed a win to ensure progress to the next round and ever dependable Remedio put them in the lead in the first half when towered above the DHL defense and headed brilliantly of a corner kick taken by new signing Elvis. John Kennedy added a second when the DHL keeper misjudged his shot from just outside the penalty area. DHL came back strongly in the second half, with Binoj and Terence playing their hearts out, but it was the ever dependable Martin Dias in the UFC goal who stood in their way. Martin who pulled off at least three important saves was declared man of the match and received his award from Pravin Kumar the President of Sparks Football Club.

Shaun Pereira and Peter D’souza were the stars for Santos United who went on to secure a famous 2-2 draw against their more fancied opponents Skynet Raiders. Skynet Raiders needing a win to have any chance of qualification for the next stage were in for a surprise when the very talented Shaun Pereira put Santos United in the lead in the first half after a dazzling solo run. Dominic of Skynet equalized, but Santos United took the lead again through Peter D’Souza. Just when it seemed that Santos United would secure full points, Manual Dçosta found the unexpected equalizer for Skynet Raiders when his cross was fumbled by Santos keeper and the ball slipped into the goal. The draw meant that Skynet Raiders and Santos United both failed to qualify in group B. Young Shaun Pereira was declared the man of the match and received his award from Mr. V. K. Vohra, the ex-president of KIFF.

In the last match of the day, Indian Strikers shocked Curtorcares United 2-0 in an engaging match that effectively ended the campaign of Curtorcares United in group A. Needing at least a draw, Curtorcares United missing a few important players who are on vacation were no match for the strong and skilful Indian Strikers. Lawrence and Haris Kunnammal scored for Indian Strikers. Aivey Kochappiley of Indian Strikers who was a constant threat to the Curtorcares defense was rightly awarded the Man of the Match Award and received it from Tome Gracias , an important patron of soccer activates in Kuwait.

Coming Friday, 7/12/2012, the last match between Kerala Challengers and Skynet Raiders will be played at 6:30am to decide the finals standings in group B . The eight teams that have now qualified for the knock out stage are: Group A: Indian Strikers and Real Betalbatim, Group B: Kerala Challengers and Navelim Youth Centre, Group C: United Friends Club and Kuwait Goan Association, Group D: AVC and Goa Maroons. Friday will also see the start of the KIFF affiliated United Goans Centre regular eleven a side tournament with the inaugural match being played between Goa Maroons and Santos United at 8:30am followed by Navelim Youth Centre versus Don Bosco Oratory at 10:15am.

Report by:-

Julio Cardoso

Kuwait

KIFF LEAGUE SEASON 2012 - 2013

STANDINGS AS ON 30/11/2012

GROUP A

NO	TEAM	PLAYED	WON	DREW	LOST	GOALS FOR	GOALS AGAINST	DIFF	POINTS
1	INDIAN STRIKERS FC	4	2	2	0	6	3	3	8
2	REAL BETALBATIM FC	4	2	2	0	4	2	2	8
3	CURTORCARES UNITED	4	2	1	1	4	2	2	7
4	UNITED GOANS CENTRE	4	1	0	3	2	6	-4	3
5	MALABAR UNITED FC	4	0	1	4	2	5	-3	1

GROUP B

NO	TEAM	PLAYED	WON	DREW	LOST	GOALS FOR	GOALS AGAINST	DIFF	POINTS
1	NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE	4	3	0	1	14	6	8	9
2	KERALA CHALLENGERS	3	3	0	0	6	1	5	9
3	SKYNET RAIDERS SC	3	1	1	1	8	5	3	4
4	SANTOS UNITED	4	0	2	2	5	11	-6	2
5	YRC RISING STARS	4	0	1	3	1	11	-10	1

GROUP C

NO	TEAM	PLAYED	WON	DREW	LOST	GOALS FOR	GOALS AGAINST	DIFF	POINTS
1	UNITED FRIENDS CLUB	3	1	2	0	3	1	2	5
2	KUWAIT GOAN ASS.	3	1	2	0	2	1	1	5
3	DHL FOOTBALL CLUB	3	1	0	2	1	4	-3	3
4	DON BOSCO ORATORY	3	0	2	1	1	2	-1	2

GROUP D

NO	TEAM	PLAYED	WON	DREW	LOST	GOALS FOR	GOALS AGAINST	DIFF	POINTS
1	AVC SPORTS & CULT. ASS	3	2	1	0	13	2	11	7
2	GOA MAROONS	3	2	1	0	7	2	5	7
3	CRC CHINCHINIM	2	1	0	1	3	6	-3	3
4	FC SPARX	3	0	0	3	2	9	-7	0

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

GOA MAROONS AND CURTORCARES UNITED SCORE IMPORTANT WINS IN KIFF LEAGUE

On the penultimate day amid chill and overcast weather conditions four matches were held of the ongoing KIFF League for the Late JP D’Mello Rolling Trophy on 23^rd November 2012 at the MOH Sabah grounds in Shuwaikh, Kuwait.

In the first match of Curtorcares United took on United Goans Club. The first half was goalless, but in the second half Curtorcares United came alive and scored 3 goals in quick succession with Cleto scoring a brace and was rightly adjudged the man of the match given by Anton Rebello, a former Salgaoncar, Goa and India player. The match was officiated by David.

The second match was an inconsequential match as far as the league qualifications are concerned as both the teams are out of the reckoning, but the two teams showed poise and good spirit. Santos United went ahead and was certain to come out with a win, but Rising Stars equalized through hardworking Jemon and ended the match in a draw. Jemon of YRC Rising Stars was awarded the man of the match for his all-round performance. The MOM was handed over by Bosco Leitao, the President of CRC Chinchinim. The match was supervised by Christopher.

In the 3^rd match of the day Real Betalbatim took on Malabar United. Real Betalbatim knowing a draw or a win will suffice their qualification chances started sedately. Malabar United known for their physical strength did not allow Real Betalbatim to open up. Real Betalbatim went into the lead when a spot kick was awarded which was taken by Philip, but was saved by the rival goalkeeper, and the ensuing rebound was punted in by Philip from a very good follow up. The match ended with Real Betalbatim victorious 1-0. The man of the match was given to veteran Teddy Pinto of Real Betalbatim for his instrumental vision at the defense and handed over by Kevin Vaz, the Hon. Sports Secretary of KIFF. The match was officiated by Tiago.

The final match of the day saw Sparx taking on GOA Maroons. Both the teams started on a positive note with Maroons needing a draw to qualify and Sparx already out of the qualifying after losing both their opening matches. The young brigade of Sparx took the game to the famed rivals and would have been ahead had their forwards made use of the chances that came their way. GOA Maroons used their experience to take the lead and the match in the dying of the minutes of the game when Stephen scored the all important goal. The Man of the Match was awarded to Hussain of Sparx for his brilliant performance throughout. The award was handed over by Seby, the Executive Member of KIFF. The match was refereed by Michael.

The Man of the Match awards are sponsored by Integrated Logistics Company. The games are officiated by Indian Football Referees Association Kuwait. (IFRA)

During the break United Goans Center (UG) conducted the draw for their 37^th 11 a side football tournament which will kick off from 7^th December 2012 and held under the auspices of KIFF and for the KIFF affiliated teams.

The schedule of matches on 30/11/2012 for the ongoing KIFF League:

1^st Match at 6.30am AVC Kuwait v/s CRC Chinchinim

2^nd Match at 8 am DHL v/s United Friends Club

3^rd Match at 9.15am Skynet Raiders v/s Santos United

4^th Match at 10.30am Curtorcared United v/s Indian Strikers

Report by:

Xavier Furtado

Sunday, November 18, 2012

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.