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, 30th
May 2014 under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation and officiated
by the Indian Football Referees Association.
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| 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.
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| 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 20th 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.
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| Jhaankar Dance Academy performers |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Captain of Malabar United receiving the runners up trophy from Derrick Gomendes |
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| Brandon Fernandes gives away the man of the match trophy to Sidney of AVC |
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| 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.
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| Captain Savio Fernandes of AVC collecting the rolling trophy from KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes and Brandon Fernandes |
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| 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
