AVC KIFF LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

KIFF LEAGUE

AVC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Malabar United lose in tie-breaker

AVC Sports & Cultural Association crowned a perfect season by winning the J.P. D’Mello Memorial Rolling Trophy in the finals of the KIFF League by narrowly beating Malabar United 6-4 in the tie breaker after the teams were locked in a 2-2 draw at the end of regular and extra time.  The grand league final was played at the Al-Qadsia Stadium on Friday, 30^th May 2014 under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation and officiated by the Indian Football Referees Association.

Champions AVC with the Rolling Trophy

The match watched by a large weekend crowd began in earnest with Malabar United showing just why they made it to the final with Shafi scoring of a lazy AVC clearance to put his team in the lead with just 2 minutes on the clock.  Season champions, AVC shocked by the early setback and seasoned campaigners that they are, however came back into the match just before half time when their prolific scorer Anthony Rodrigues squeezed one in from a goalmouth melee.

 

Fairly large crowd attended the finals

The second half was a seesaw battle with both teams missing opportunities due to poor finishing but it was Malabar United who once again took the lead through Younis in the 20^th minute and putting their large contingent of supporters in celebration mood.  AVC tried hard for the equalizer and although the Malabar boys defended well and it looked like they would be inscribing their name on the prestigious trophy for the very first time, Sidney equalized for AVC with an exquisite volley from just outside the penalty area to level the scores 2-2.  Extra time remained goalless and in the tiebreaker AVC players held their nerves with Ismael, Sebyton, Braulio and Sidney scoring while only Younis and Fiju could find the net for Malabar United. 

Jhaankar Dance Academy performers

Dance program during half time

Earlier, watched by their parents and hordes of young supporters, Indian Central School (Abbasyia) and Indian Public School (Salmiya) played an exhibition match which was easily won by the Salmiya School 6-1. Jhaankar Dance Academy performed and entertained during the half time break and a bingo game was conducted for the super snowball prize a Kuwait-Mumbai return air-ticket sponsored by Al-Qattan Travels.

 

Winners of exhibition match - Indian Public School (Salmiya)

The KIFF League final was sponsored by Gulf Cable and Electrical Industries Company and represented by Mr. Naser Omran Kannan the Regional Manager.  Also present were Mr. J. S. Dangi representing the Indian Embassy of Kuwait, Mr. Asif Juzer of Pro Sports, Mr. Abdulrahman Al Muraikhi of Gulf Cable and special invitee Brandon Fernandes the youth soccer icon from India.  In his brief address KIFF president Fidelis Fernandes thanked the invitees, the participating teams, IFRA and everyone who helped to make the season a success.  The schools individual runners-up medals were presented by Salvador Dias the runners-up trophy by KIFF Vice President Derrick Gomendes, the winners individual medals were given away by Dominic while KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes gave away the winner’s trophy to the captain of Indian Public School Salmiya. The IFRA officials for the exhibition match Simon Anthony, Jose Afonso, and liston Raju also received mementos from KIFF member Joseph Gomes.

 

Captain of Malabar United receiving the runners up trophy from Derrick Gomendes

Brandon Fernandes gives away the man of the match trophy to Sidney of AVC

Nasser Kannan of Gulf Cable giving away a trophy to AVC goalkeeper Alvaro

Mrs. Rausat Asif kindly consented to give away the mementos to the participants of Jhaankar Dance Academy who had earlier performed a wonderfully choreographed dance during the half time.  Agnelo the General Secretary of KIFF gave mementos to IFRA officials Francis Fernandes, Sarto Baptista, Tiago Fernandes and Jan Rodrigues, and AVC who were also crowned the season’s champions for having won the most tournaments received the trophy from the hands of chief guest Mr. J. S. Dangi of the Indian Embassy.  Sydney of AVC was rightly declared the man of the match and received his trophy from Brandon Fernandes while Mr. Abdulrahman Al Muraikhi of Gulf Cable handed out the runners up individual trophies to the players of Malbar United.  The Fair play trophy was won by Indian Strikers and given away by Joe Pereira the KIFF Registrar while the KIFF League runners up trophy was given away by Derrick Gomendes.  KIFF president also gave mementos to Bernard Fernandes and Xavier Furtado for their great support to KIFF during the season.

 

Captain Savio Fernandes of AVC collecting the rolling trophy from KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes and Brandon Fernandes

Mr. J. S. Dengi handing over the winners trophy to Savio of AVC

Mr. Naser Omran Kanan gave away the winners individual trophies and KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes and Brandon Fernandes gave away the KIFF League winners and rolling trophies amidst great celebration among the AVC players and supporters.  The program was compered by Julio Cardoso.

Report by:  Julio Cardoso

Pic:  Revon Gomes / Amanda Cardoso

GOAN SOCCER PRODIGY FELICITATED IN KUWAIT

KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The Kuwait-India Football Federation (KIFF) Thursday evening felicitated the Goan soccer prodigy Brandon Fernandes — the only Indian so far to have represented the country in U-13, U-14, U-16, U-17 and U-19 in various countries including Uzbekistan and Iran and has had a three-year stint in Cape Town, South Africa. Brandon is in Kuwait as a special invitee at the final of the 2013-2014 JP D’Mello soccer tournament played today at 18:30 hours at the Qadsiya Sports Club. The tournament is organized by the KIFF. KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes speaking during the event which was attended by clubs presidents and soccer players affiliated to KIFF and managing committee members wished Brandon success and thanked him for accepting the invitation to visit Kuwait and be an inspiration to football loving youth.

The Dinner attended by KIFF Managing Committee, Club representatives and special invitees

When asked how he got into soccer at such a young age, when most children of his age make a beeline to school, Brandon told the Arab Times, “when I was four or five years old, my dad who is involved in soccer activities at the Goa Football Association encouraged me to play football.” “However, I began playing real football at the age of seven when my father bought me a pair boots. The first club I played was the Fransa-Pax Football Club owned by the Goa politician Micky Pacheco. I played for this club for four years; following which I spent four years with the Velsao Pale Club and also played for the Salgaokar Youth Team for nearly three years.”

Now 17 years old, Brandon says after my stint with football clubs in Goa I was invited to Cape Town, South Africa by a football enthusiast who had seen me play. In Cape Town I joined the African Soccer Development (ASD) Academy and played for three years in the Second Division of the South African Football Academy for the U-17 and U-19 League scoring seven goals. “Following the end of my contract with the ASD I went to Goa last December to take part in the Lusofonia Games 2014 and was on the winning side when India beat Mozambique 3-2 to win the gold.

KIFF President honoring Brandon with a memento from the Federation

“I was then selected for U-23 training camp where I got injured and since then has been recuperating from my injuries,” he said. About future plans, Brandon disclosed, “My club in South Africa is in touch with me for the renewal of the contract but right now I am eyeing the ISL (Indian Super League) which I feel is the best international platform to showcase my talent. However, I keep my fingers crossed and wait for an opportune time to make the next move. Speaking of his idol, Brandon says he has many, but Cristiano Ronaldo the Portuguese and Real Madrid forward stands tall among them — the footballer who lived in poverty, shared a room with his brother and sisters and went on to become one of the best soccer players the world has produced through sheer hard work, dedication and belief in God.

Brandon says what he is today is largely due to the dedication of his parents, particularly his father who has always been encouraging. When asked how he manages between soccer activities and school, he says, his teachers and the school had been very accommodative and kind enough to allow him to continue doing what he believes in. At times, he said, he answered only one exam during the entire scholastic year because he was either travelling with the Indian soccer team taking part in tournaments or attending coaching camps.

“I want continue my higher education although my aim in life is to reach the highest level of soccer and bring laurels for my State and country, encourage the youngsters and be a role model to them,” he added.
He said India does not lack soccer talent, but it is unfortunate the government has abandoned this sport. However, with the ISL a new hope has dawned on the horizon of a cricket-mad country. The Indian Super League is the name of a new, proposed football league in India by IMG-Reliance — a joint venture of IMG and Reliance Industries — and the All India Football Federation. It is set to kick-off in September 2014.

By Paul Francis X. Fernandes
Arab Times Staff

Pics: Julio Cardoso