G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY
UFC, AVC AND KERALA CHALLENGERS IN LAST
FOUR
Don Bosco Oratory, KGA and Santos
United make exit
United
Friends Club (UFC) came one step closer to finally grabbing the prestigious GOA
Rolling Trophy when they subdued a strong Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) 2-0,
while AVC Cultural & Sports Association, and Kerala Challengers also joined
them in the semi finals of the 19th edition of the ongoing G.O.A Rolling Trophy
organized by Goan Overseas Association (Goa Maroons) and played at the MOH
Grounds in Shuwaikh on 15th February 2013 under the auspices of
Kuwait Indian Football Federation.
 |
| United Friends Club in Semis |
Although
it was KGA who started well with a couple of good moves initiated by Vitorin
Mendes and Agnelo Martins, it was once again goalkeeper Martin Dias who kept
UFC in the game with a penalty save in the 25th minute of the first
half. Mathew Fernandes made it 1-0 for
UFC in the 40th minute when he scored from a cross and Remedio put
the game beyond KGA when the referee awarded a penalty in the 57th
minute. The match was officiated by David of IFRA and assisted by Mubarak
Yousuf and Nikush.
 |
| AVC Won 3-0 and qualified for the semi-finals |
In
the second quarter final, although Santos United put up a spirited fight, they were
no match for title favourites AVC and went down fighting 0-3. Anthony Rodrigues of AVC scored the first goal
in the 5th minute of the second half and was on the score sheet
again in the 17th minute. The very talented Savio Fernandes added a
third in the dying minutes of the game to set up a mouth watering semi-final
clash with Kerala Challengers next week. The match was officiated by Mubarak
Yousuf and he was assisted by Pascoal and David in the lines.
 |
| Kerala Challengers in yet another semi-final |
Stamina
and strength was the backbone of Kerala Challengers 1-0 victory over a youthful
Don Bosco Oratory in the last match of the day.
In some rousing end to end action, Kerala Challengers scored in the 8th
minute of the first half when Jinesh scored from the penalty spot after a Don Bosco player handled the ball inside the penatly area. Don Bosco Oratory
came back strongly with Ashton, Loyed, Alexandro and Michael playing some
delightful soccer, but the equalizer eluded them. A penalty in the 18th minute when
a Kerala Challengers defender handled the ball was shot wide by the usually
dependable Loyed drawing groans by the DBO supporters. Both teams missed a number of chances in the
second half, with Michael of Don Bosco coming closest to scoring, and the game
ended 1-0 in favour of Kerala Challengers.
The match was officiated by Philip and assisted by Pascoal and Julio
Cardoso.
The
Semi Finals on 22/2/2013 will feature AVC & Cultural Association taking on
high flying Kerala Challengers at 6:45am followed by Real Betalbatim versus
United Friends Club at 8:30am. Teams are
requested to report on time
Julio
Cardoso
Kuwait
