KIFF SOCCER WEEK 2 RESULTS

KIFF LEAGUE 2013/2014. REAL BETALBATIM FC, DON BOSCO ORATORY, GOA MAROONS WIN. KUWAIT GOAN ASSOCIATION AND YRC RISING STARS SHARE SPOILS ON MATCH DAY 2

Don Bosco Oratory won 2-0

Goa Maroons won 5-0

Kerala Challengers lost 0-2

Cruzedio receiving memento from KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes

United Friends Club lost 0-5

The second round of KIFF League 2013/2014 once again saw goals galore with 12 goals being scored in 4 matches that were held on 20^th September 2013 at the Al Kazema grounds in Adeliya. The early two matches saw Don Bosco Oratory taking on Kerala Challengers on ground ‘A’ and Real Betalbatim FC clashing with United Goan Strikers on ground ‘B’. The youthful side of DBO dominated the proceedings and went ahead through Nikhil D’Souza whose first time strike gave Kerala Challengers keeper no chance. The second half started on the same note and DBO increased its tally through Lloyd. Kerala Challengers tried in vain to come into the game but DBO defense held firm and emerged victorious 2-0. Man of the match award was awarded to young Nikhil of DBO for his brilliant display and presented by Mr. Raymond D’Sa President of GOA Maroons. RBFC and UGC started on a cautious note and increased the tempo as the game progressed. The midfield dominated the game and defense held firm with goal scoring chances few in the first half. In the second half RBFC found their rhythm and dominated the proceedings. UGC defense absorbed the pressure as RBFC strike force upped the tempo and as the game petered towards a stalemate Lawrence Colaco of RBFC found the net to put his team ahead and finish the match 1-0. Lawrence of RBFC was adjudged the Man of the Match and handed over by Rev. Fr. Franco Pereira sdb, President of Don Bosco Oratory.

Real Betalbatim won 1-0

Kuwait Goan Association drew 1-1

The late 2 matches were between GOA Maroons and United Friends Club on ground ‘A’ and YRC Rising Stars and Kuwait Goan Association on ground ‘B’. GOA Maroons started the game on a positive note with an attacking intent and Steven found the net to put GOA Maroons ahead in the first half. In the second half GOA Maroons were all over UFC and scored at will with young Clevan D’Cunha scoring the first hat trick of the season. Ian made it 5-0 in favor of GOA Maroons . UFC had no answer to the marauding strike force complimented with a supporting midfield of GOA Maroons. Clevan of GOA Maroons was rightly bestowed with Man of the Match award for his classy and youthful exuberance and the award was given by Mr. M.M. Jacob of Kerala. The match between Rising Stars and KGA was a scrappy affair but attack minded intent on display by both sides. KGA went ahead through Clifton D’Cruz, but Rising Stars came strongly to equalize through Cheslee. Rising Stars went ahead when KGA defender Inacio misread the flight of the ball and headed backwards into his own net with his onrushing keeper beaten. KGA increased the pressure to equalize and found the net through Xavier whose powerful shot bulged the nets. Both the teams went for the winner towards the fag end of the game, but had to settle for a draw with the match ending 2-2. KGA goalkeeper Nelvy Rodrigues was awarded the Man of the Match for his brilliant performance and handed over by Mr. Lawrence Pinto President of YRC Rising Stars.

YRC Rising Stars drew 1-1

United Goans Centre lost 0-1

The matches were supervised by IFRA officials. In between the breaks KIFF felicitated Mr. Cruzedio Rodrigues for his contribution towards the game in KIFF for more than a decade. The fleet footed striker who played for UFC, Navelim Youth Center and now presently donning colors for DHL FC has the unique distinction of winning 8 highest goal scorer awards over a period of time he played his soccer in KIFF. Mr. Rodrigues is leaving the shores of Kuwait for good was presented with a memento by KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes. KIFF also welcomed Mr. M.M. Jacob from Kerala who is on a private visit to Kuwait. Mr. Jacob is a well known soccer personality in India and Kerala having represented the Kerala state team as a player for 8 years from 1974 and captaining the side in 1982 and was awarded G.V. Raja Gold Medal twice in 1979 & 1981 for being ‘The Best Footballer of Kerala’. He also coached the Kerala state team for Santosh Trophy for 8 years.  He represented Indian Soccer team for various international tournaments for 4 years in Seoul, Bangkok, Middle East, Russia and Hungary from 1976 to 1979. Represented the Central Excise and Customs soccer team for 16 years and also captaining the team for 12 years. Mr. Jacob was introduced to the players playing the second matches of the day.

Nikhil of DBO reciving the Man of the Match award from G.O.A President Raymond D'Sa

Man of the Match Cleevan receiving award from MM Jacob

Nelvy Rodrigues receiving the man of the match from Lawrence Pinto the president of Rising Stars

Lawrence Colaco of Real Betalbatim receiving the man of the match from Fr. Franco Pereira

Man of the Match awards for KIFF League season are sponsored by United Steel Industrial Company.

The match schedule for 27^th September 2013 to be played at Al Kazma Grounds is as follows:

At 6.45 am Cutorcares United v/s Santos United on Ground ‘A’ and AVC - Kuwait v/s Indian Strikers on Ground ‘B’

At 7.45 am DHL FC v/s FC Sparx on ground ‘A’ and Malabar United v/s Skynet Raiders v/s on Ground ‘B’

Report by: Xavier Furtado

Pics by: Julio Cardoso

KIFF SOCCER SEASON STARTS WITH A BANG

KIFF SEASON STARTS. SANTOS UNITED & SKYNET WIN. AVC, MALABAR, CURTORCARES AND SPARX SHARE SPOILS IN OPENING FIXTURES OF THE KIFF LEAGUE AT KAZEMA STADUIM IN ADELIYA

Opening Ceremony - teams entering the field

The eagerly anticipated and most watched Indian Expatriate soccer season 2013/2014 in Kuwait got underway on 13^th September 2013 at the Al Kazma grounds with the start of the KIFF League for the Late J.P. D’Mello Memorial Rolling trophy. 4 games were held on the 1^st day at the sprawling Al Kazema stadium in Adeliya. The proceedings started with the introduction of the teams with the KIFF President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes leading the Club Presidents, KIFF MC members and IFRA members on to the field of play. National anthems of Kuwait and India were played at the onset. Hon. Rev Father Franco Fernandes invoked the Blessings of The Almighty and advised the affiliates and KIFF MC to carry out the KIFF activities in a fair and responsible manner. KIFF President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes in his speech thanked IFRA for their support and the ground authorities for providing the grounds and also the affiliates and his managing committee members for working tirelessly to ensure the season start as per schedule. He also thanked the sponsors United Steel Industrial Company for the Man of the Match awards. A ceremonial cake was cut to mark the 30^th Anniversary of the Federation and the start of the new season.

Opening Ceremony

KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes along with other club presidents cutting the inaugural cake

IFRA Officials with Rev. Fr. Franco Fernandes who was on hand to give his blessings 

After the opening proceedings and amidst rising temps the real action got underway. AVC – Kuwait and Malabar United started the match on ground ‘A’ which was a hotly contested affair with Malabar dominating the opening proceedings. Malabar took the lead through Younus in the first half. AVC equalized through Anurag Thapa in the second half. In the dying minutes of the second half Malabar almost scored, but AVC’s coach and the most experienced goalkeeper Alvaro Dias made stirring saves to keep the score level at 1-1 and was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match and the award was handed over by John Furtado, President of AVC – Kuwait. On ground ‘B’ Santos United kicked off against DHL FC. Santos United took an early lead through Domnick, but DHL equalized through Aivey. Once again Santos United were put in front by Anthony and then went on a rampage to score another three goals through Manuel, Peter and Marcelino thus finishing the match 5-1. Veteran midfield maestro Tiago of Santos United marshaled the entire game to earn his side an overwhelming win and was awarded the Man of the Match which was handed over by Tony Corriea of GOA Maroons. 

AVC Sports & Cultural Associaition drew 1-1 with Malabar United

DHL Football Club lost 1-5 to Santos United

KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes addressing the teams

Malabar United

Santos United F.C

The 3^rd match was between Skynet Raiders and Indian Strikers on ground ’A’.  Skynet Raiders started with a positive rhythm and went into an early lead through Jr.Joe and Simao increased the tally for Skynet. Haris reduced the margin for Indian Strikers, but Arif scored the third for Skynet to end the match 3-1 to give his side the win. Prakash of Skynet Raiders was awarded the Man of the Match for his brilliant midfield play and handed over by B.M. Viegas ex President of KIFF. The 4^th match kicked off between Curtorcares United and Sparx FC on ground ‘B’. The young guns of Sparx as usual started the match in a whirlwind speed but Curtorcares opened the scoring through Gomes.  Sparx  however stormed back into the match and equalized through Ahmed ali. Both sides settled for a well earned draw. Ahmed Ali the live wire of Sparx bagged the Man of the Match award handed over by Vinay Kumar the President of Kerala Challengers.

Man of the Match - Ahmed Ali of Sparx

Man of the match - Alvaro Dias of AVC

Man of the Match - Prakash of Skynet Raiders

Man of the match - Tiago of Santos United

The matches were supervised by IFRA officials. The proceedings were ably conducted by Bernard Fernandes and Kevin Vaz with professional ace lens man Revon Gomes capturing the moments on camera.

Curtorcares United

Skynet Raiders won 3-1 against Indian Strikers

Indian Strikers

Sparx 

Man of the Match awards are sponsored by United Steel Industrial Company.

The match schedule for 20^th September 2013 to be played at Kazma grounds is as follows:

At 6.45 am Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) v/s Kerala Challengers on Ground ‘A’ and Real Betalbatim FC (RBFC) v/s United Goans Club (UG) on Ground ‘B’

At 7.45 am United Friends Club (UFC) v/s GOA Maroons on ground ‘A’ and Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) v/s YRC Rising Stars (Rising Stars) v/s on Ground ‘B’

rEPORT BY: XAVIER FURTADO
PICS BY: REVON GOMES / JULIO CARDOSO

KIFF SEASON 2013-2014 KICKS OFF ON 13^th SEPTEMBER 2013

As the Final countdown approaches the masters of Indian expatriate soccer community in the Middle East, Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) are all geared to usher in the new season on 13^th September 2013. Europe has started its leagues which keeps majority of us glued to our TV sets on Saturdays and Sundays leaving Friday the most desired of the days in this tiny oil emirate unoccupied till now for most of the soccer loving Indian residents. For the idle critic the various world soccer leagues are elite with no comparison, but the passion for the game on match day is no different when it comes to soccer being organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation in Kuwait (KIFF). For the supporters and club owners the tension and chaos of business days are forgotten once their team takes the field of play on Friday early mornings inspite of the unfavorable climatic conditions which prevails in this region. For the players the various uncertainties of home and away are distant during the ninety minutes of action. Soccer with a major following than any other sport on the planet ignites and douses passions. This sport has become the most enjoyable and the favorite routine of many of the Indian expats for the last three decades and to keep it going KIFF proudly announces the commencement of the season 2013-2014 on 13^th September 2013 at the Al Kazima grounds in Adeliya.

As per official report KIFF will start the new season with the famed KIFF League for the Late J.P. D’Mello Memorial Trophy. 16 affiliates registered with the federation are divided in 2 groups of 8 each based on seedings calculated on last season’s performance. The first phase of the league will be played on a round robin league format and the top 2 teams from each group will qualify for semi final knockout stage. In addition to the league, the federation will also conduct 11 a side tournaments, 7 a side tournaments, veterans tournament, Inter school tournament, KIFF day and Tie-breaker in an action packed calendar which also marks the 30^th Anniversary of the Federation. This was possible due to the concerted efforts of the President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes to start the season on time with 2 playing grounds at the start.

The first few matches will be held on Al Kazima grounds in Adeliya before heading on to the home turf at MOH grounds at Sabah Hospital and the respective affiliates are duly notified. Group A in seeded order consists of AVC Overseas Sports and Cultural Association, Malabar United, DHL Football Club, Skynet Raiders S.C, Curtorcares United, Indian Strikers, Santos United and FC Sparx. Group B in seeded order consists of Don Bosco Oratory, Kerala Challengers, Real Betalbatim FC, United Friends Club, Kuwait Goan Association, GOA  Maroons, United Goans Centre and YRC Rising Stars.

The Federation has 16 registered affiliates for season 2013-2014 comprising of AVC Overseas Sports and Cultural Association Kuwait (AVC), Curtorcares United, DHL Football Club (DHL), Don Bosco Oratory (DBO), F.C Sparx , Goan Overseas Association Kuwait (Goa Maroons), Indian Strikers Football Club, Kerala Challengers, Kuwait Goan Association (KGA), Malabar United, Real Betalbatim Football Club, Santos United, Skynet Raiders, , United Friends Club (UFC), United Goan Center (UG), YRC Rising Stars.

The KIFF Managing Committee is headed by Mr. Fidelis Fernandes (President) Mr. Derrick Gomindes (Vice President) Mr. Agnelo D’Cunha (General Secretary) Mr. Kevin Vaz (Sports Secretary) Mr. Shyam Kumar (Treasurer) Mr. Joe Pereira (Registrar), Mr. Salvador Dias (Reliever), Mr. Domnick Pereira (Assistant Sports Secretary) Mr. Joseph Gomes (P.R.O)

Defending Season Champions AVC – Kuwait will kick start the new season 2013/2014. All the matches for season 2013-2014 will be officiated by Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) Kuwait, the only Indian professional referees association in the Middle East region.

Man of the Match awards for KIFF league matches are sponsored by United Steel Industrial Company.

The match fixtures on 13^th September 2013 are as follows: All the matches will be held on Al Kazima grounds in Adeliya.

At 6.45 am AVC Kuwait opens with Malabar United on Ground ‘A’ and DHL lock horns with Santos United on Ground ‘B’

At 7.45 am Skynet Raiders starts duel with Indian Strikers on ground ‘A’ and Curtorcares United takes on FC Sparx on Ground ‘B’

KIFF along with its President and other members of the Managing Committee cordially invites all to witness the start of the new season on Al Kazima grounds in Adeliya on 13^th September 2013 at 6.45 am sharp. Affiliates and fans kindly contact KIFF MC members for the venue directions. Read KIFF activities online on KIFF blog and KIFF facebook page hosted by the articulate and flamboyant Julio Cardoso. Let the games begin…………………………..


Report by:  Xavier Furtado