Navelim, United Friends storm into Semi-finals – KIFF League: Kuwait Goans bite dust in tie-breaker

KUWAIT: Last year’s runners-up Kuwait Goan Association squandered a lovely 2-0 lead only to go down to spirited Don Bosco Oratory 4-6 (2-2) in a shocking quarterfinal defeat in the Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) League 2011-12 for J.P D’Mello Memorial Trophy played at the MOH Grounds, Shuwaikh.  It was the performance of Don Bosco Oratory captain Michael Dias, with his third man-of-the-match award of the league – that almost single-handedly turned the tables over the hot favorites. Kuwait Goans seemed to be roller-coasting to an effortless win after being put in front by Josse Fernandes and Meraj Mohammed in either half.

However, it was the ‘immaculate’ presence, and ‘supernatural’ perseverance of Michael that lifted Don Bosco to draw level. Michael scored both goals and led from the front with utmost discipline. Godfrey Aguiar, Alexandro, Conrad and Michael Dias scored for Don Bosco. Midway in the tie-breaker, Michael replaced goalkeeper Allido to stand in goal despite carrying an injury to his hand and saved the penultimate penalty-kick of Cristovam Colaco. The humble captain, who works as a Sports and P.E Teacher at Don Boscos, later stated that he dedicated the victory to his one-year old son back home in India.

Another player who had a dedication to offer was Cruzedio Rodrigues of Navelim YC who scored in his third consecutive match to help the 6 times champions to overcome the resistance of Skynet and sail into yet another KIFF league semifinal. “I would like to dedicate my goal to the greatness of God,” said Cruzedio after the match. However, it was the brilliance of Navelim’s star player Bernard Pires that unsettled Skynet in the match. Skynet goalkeeper Melvin too was at his best making deadly saves including a lethal one off a long range free-kick before he let Cruzedio score past him.

Earlier, United Friends coasted to an easy 2-0 victory over CRC Chinchinim. Young striker Hemanth Kumar struck twice for the winners. Chinchinim’s Joe Gomes, who is on the top scorers list, fought a lone battle for Chinchinim upfront. Chinchinim’s other stars were easily bottled by the strong Friends’ defense comprising of Teotonio, Maurice and Bidal. United Friends Team Manager Nicholas Rodrigues was ecstatic about the victory and showed optimism of his team’s future success in the league.

In the other quarter-final DHL held on to a 1-0 first-half lead against YRC Rising Stars. DHL’s Anil Kumar Thakkuri was the scorer of the all important goal.  Rising Stars tried their hearts out to draw level but DHL played out the match to see them through. Later after the match, Rising Stars President Mr. Lawry Pinto said, “DHL played better and rightly deserve to be the winners.”

The man-of-the-match trophies presented at the end of every KIFF league game are sponsored by Al Muzaini Exchange Co.  A total of 19 clubs affiliated to KIFF are combating to be Champions. They are AVC Sports & Cultural Association, CRC Chinchinim, Curtorcares United, DHL Sports Club, Don Bosco Oratory, FC Sparx, Goan Overseas Association, Gulf Cable Football Club, Indian Strikers, Kuwait Goan association, Malabar United Football Club, Navelim Youth Centre, Real Betalbatim Football Club, Santos Football Club, Santos United,  Skynet Raiders Soccer Club, United Friends Club, United Goans Center,  and Y.R.C Rising Stars.

The semi-finals of the league are scheduled to be played on 8th June 2012 followed by a grand finale to the season a week later. United Friends will play with DHL in the first semis, while Don Bosco Oratory hope to make their first league final of the Kuwait Indian Football Federation. The KIFF League played under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) and officiated by KIFF referees provides Indian players with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition, while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play-in perhaps one of India’s only 11-aside league abroad.

Football among Indian expatriates in Kuwait fulfils its function to divert one’s mind from reality whilst bringing different communities together in unity. The League is named after late Jerome Pascoal D’Mello (popularly known to all as JP D’Mello), Goa’s first international football referee. D’Mello was instrumental in forming the current Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF). His memory has been justly kept alive by KIFF through its affiliated Indian football teams/clubs/associations by naming the KIFF League after him. The Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) established in 1983 controls all Indian expatriate football activities in Kuwait. Apart from the League, 4 regular tournaments and Seven-a-side tournaments are also held under KIFF every season.

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