AFC CUP KNOCK-OUT ROUND PLAYED IN KUWAIT
By Gasper Crasto / Kuwait. May 13, 2010
"Referees decision, on points of fact connected with the play, shall be final!" says Law 5 of the Football Rules.
The rule proved a matrix of judgment at Qadsiya Stadium on 12th May 2010. Churchill Brothers played their hearts out, but lost, falling 2-1 to Kuwait's famous club Qadsiya in the AFC Cup knockout round played at Kuwait's Qadsiya stadium.
The Kuwaitis displayed their passing demonstration with some trademark ball control, and took the lead from a cross, and soon increased it with a classic, headed goall off a set-piece from the right wing.
Qadsiya led 2-0 at half time, both headed goals -- by Ahmed in 33rd minute and Hamed in the 42nd.
Churchill Brothers star player Odafa
Two stalwart Goan Tiatr artistes based in Kuwait (Rosary Ferns & Cajetan de Sanvordem) among the fans
Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Arindam (under guidance of goalkeeping coach Teotonio, former Bombay Central Bank goalkeeper from Navelim) was a hero of the match saving the team from blushes on atleast 5 occasions, while Kalu and Felix proved why they are the most sought after players in the Indian arena.
The Nigerians ran tirelessly throughout and matched the Kuwaitis from shin to muscle. Nascimento too was super while little substitute Jason created ripples in the last quarter of play.
After cutting the deficit off a 'splendid' goal by captain Odafa, the Goans pressed hard to equalize in the last quarter of play but Qadsiya defended like Inter Milan against Barcelona in the 2010 Champions League – with almost their entire team.
Churchill really played well. The effort was pretty solid. It was nice to see them push especially towards the end. Infact the whole match, they had the ability to move the ball forward, get players running up, and create lot of opportunities to the delight of 'Goenkar' supporters.
But, if there is one thing that Goans love as much as football, it's talking about it afterwards.
After cutting the deficit off a 'splendid' goal by captain Odafa, the Goans pressed hard to equalize in the last quarter of play but Qadsiya defended like Inter Milan against Barcelona in the 2010 Champions League – with almost their entire team.
Churchill really played well. The effort was pretty solid. It was nice to see them push especially towards the end. Infact the whole match, they had the ability to move the ball forward, get players running up, and create lot of opportunities to the delight of 'Goenkar' supporters.
But, if there is one thing that Goans love as much as football, it's talking about it afterwards.
Much post-match discussion among friends are always about the referee's decisions. It always makes for lively debates.
REFEREE FAVORING THE KUWAITIS
After falling behind 2-0 in the first half, Churchill Brothers had scored a hard earned goal just before the break off a header by Odafa. The assistant referee pointed for the goal, with the whole Goan army of supporters including Churchill Brothers players celebrating.
After falling behind 2-0 in the first half, Churchill Brothers had scored a hard earned goal just before the break off a header by Odafa. The assistant referee pointed for the goal, with the whole Goan army of supporters including Churchill Brothers players celebrating.
But only the referee had seen 'foul' which the majority of spectators (mostly Goans, perhaps far more than the Kuwaitis) did not.
The writer (Gasper Crasto - extreme right) with Churchill Bros team just before the match
Was the referee favoring the home team?
Next morning, one of Goa's daily newspaper reported: the referee surprisingly ruled it as off side, and denied the goal.
First, it can never be a off-side as interpreted. It was a foul. Odafa allegedly pushed the defender before heading.
"How could it happen? How can the referee give a foul," a friend asked me.
Well, referees are aware that their decisions are scrutinized in post match video reviews and evaluations by the Referees panel and Technical committee.
Next morning, one of Goa's daily newspaper reported: the referee surprisingly ruled it as off side, and denied the goal.
First, it can never be a off-side as interpreted. It was a foul. Odafa allegedly pushed the defender before heading.
"How could it happen? How can the referee give a foul," a friend asked me.
Well, referees are aware that their decisions are scrutinized in post match video reviews and evaluations by the Referees panel and Technical committee.
Any inevitable blunder or a conspiracy on their part would mean that their last match would be the 'final' match of their life at this level.
The decision however sure raised a question and the debate about the need for video replays, like in cricket (which came years later in the form of VAR).
The decision however sure raised a question and the debate about the need for video replays, like in cricket (which came years later in the form of VAR).
How nice if it had been used at the Churchill Brothers–Qadsiya match. Everyone would love it, the poor referee would not be crucified either.
In all the brouhaha that followed, Odafa received a yellow, that too during the interval break.
However, the debate continued to rage. The beauty of the sport is that, even if a video replay is showed (and the screens were available in Kuwait), people will still disagree.
In all the brouhaha that followed, Odafa received a yellow, that too during the interval break.
However, the debate continued to rage. The beauty of the sport is that, even if a video replay is showed (and the screens were available in Kuwait), people will still disagree.
For the large number of Goan football lovers who thronged Qadsiya to support the Goan team, a victory for Churchill Brothers in Kuwait would mean bigger than Churchill going to win the AFC Cup.
Not because it was Churchill Brothers. Not because it was a Indian team. Because it was a Goan team. Every Goan here in the crowd wished to see Goa win.
Whatever may be the post-match outbursts by Shri Churchill Alemao against the Bahraini referee, whatever the journalists had to write in Herald about 'biased refereeing', it did not hold water with the powerful A.F.C.
Ultimately, we all had to agree, sportingly, that the best team won, and be happy for a great footballing display by Churchill Brothers.
The 2-1 loss, however, has been rumbling on for seasons.
Three Cheers Churchill Brothers!!! Three Cheers Goan Football!!!
GASPER CRASTO / KUWAIT
Salgaocar Sports Club 1991~1998
http://gaspersworld.blogspot.com/ Salgaocar Sports Club 1991~1998
Tel. No. 99502686