Kuwait City Jan 30: Kuwait Goans Association (KGA) won the prestigious 18th NYC Trophy football tournament organized by Navelim Youth Centre beating AVC Overseas Association 1-0 in the final played at Salmiya Municipality Grounds on Friday, 25th January 2008.
Jubilant Kuwait Goans with the guests after the finals AVC failed to break the jinx of winning the prestigious NYC trophy yet again in their fourth consecutive final. They lost the earlier 3 finals to G.O.A Maroons, Curtorcares United and DHL respectively. There is no other available instance in world football of a side losing 4 straight finals. While Bombay holds the record for most consecutive titles in the world (15 Ranji Trophy championships in a row from 1958-59 to 1972-73), AVC Overseas Association, known as Real Madrid of Kuwait Indian football have broken the record of English Premier giants Arsenal of 3 consecutive runners-up titles. Arsenal were League runners-up from 1999 to 2001.
The final played in chilling temperatures (8°C in Kuwait City) was watched by a sizeable number of spectators, many ladies were drawn to watch as well. But the match failed to live up to the expectations. The first half was so dreary, not a single hard shot was taken on the goal. Some of the players made more show of themselves than play good football. It was pathetic to see some players turn around with a glare and give that 'I will kill you' kind of a look for even a slight touch or a fair tackle and scream 'ref' every for every body contact. Some played like enemies instead of playing like true opponents.
"Gone are the days where teams like Navelim, Goa Maroons, Incredible, United Goans, Rising Stars to name a few, used to dish out magical football," sighed a star footballer of yesteryears, "Spectators used to watch 'those' games with excitement, never taking their eyes off the ball. Today's players come to the ground laughing, joking and showing off their looks and 'expensive' boots. There's a lack of seriousness or a feeling of competitive anxiety towards the game..."
The match gained momentum only in the second half after KGA shot into the lead taking advantage of a defense lapse. KGA's Vico D' Souza rushed forward and passed the ball to unmarked Russel Rodrigues whose crisp shot beat goalkeeper Alvaro Dias in the AVC goal (1-0).
There was plenty of action in the last quarter of play with AVC moving the ball forward with alacrity, trying hard to get an equalizer. They peppered KGA's goal with a flurry of scoring opportunities with tries from Lucian D'Souza, Ronnie Fernandes and Francisco Fernandes. AVC came up with all out efforts in the dying minutes of the match which forced KGA goalkeeper Martin Dias to make splendid saves off Joseph Quadros and Leroy Rodrigues. Jubilant supporters of KGA rushed on the ground to hug their players on the final whistle of the match.
Sarto Baptista affiliated to Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) officiated the match assisted by Tony D'Costa and Phillip Ferrao.
NYC President Mario Carneiro was all praise for Kuwait Goans for inscribing their name on the prestigious trophy for the first time. He congratulated them "for being the new champions of Kuwait Indian football."
Shri Wilson Coelho, honorable President of Goan Welfare Society was chief guest on the occasion and spoke at the prize distribution ceremony. He praised Navelim Youth Centre for successfully conducting the 18 editions of the trophy. He also acknowledged the efforts of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) to promote football among the Indian expatriates living in Kuwait. While hailing the publicity given to the tournament in Arab Times, indianfootball.com and other websites, Mr. Coelho promised all support on behalf of Goan Welfare Society and in his own capacity to look into the prospects of further promoting the sport. He also assured to take up the matter with the Indian and Kuwaiti authorities for an appropriate and a regular playing field for Indians.
Lawry Pinto, Ex-President of KIFF was the guest of honor. Other distinguished dignitaries that presided were Cajetan Pereira - President of United Friends Club, Manuel D'Costa -Vice-President of KIFF, Thomas Fernandes - Founder member of Navelim Youth Centre, and Nicholas Monteiro, ex-player of Navelim Youth Centre.
Wilson Coelho presented the Trophy to the winners to a big applause of the KGA supporters. NYC Rolling Trophy, perhaps one of the most uniquely sculpt trophies worldwide was instituted in the year 1993, Saligao Sports Club being the winners in the inaugural year. 19 registered teams affiliated to Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) participated in the 18th edition. The tournament played under the auspices of KIFF provides players with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play -- in perhaps one of the most prestigious football tournament among Indians abroad.
Earlier, the guests were introduced to the teams by Agnello A.S Fernandes, Advisor of NYC.
NYC President Mario Carneiro handing over the Fair Play Trophy to Fahaheel Brothers Team Manager P.A. Tony.
Gasper Crasto compered the prize distribution function. General Secretary of NYC, Allan Fernandes proposed a vote of thanks and in a special way thanked Arab Times, www.goa-world.com , Goanet, www.mangalorean.com, www.indianfootball.com, and goa.kranti.blogspot.com for exclusive coverage of the tournament.
The high-status Fair Play Trophy was awarded to semi-final losers Fahaheel Brothers.
Following other prizes were awarded:
First scorer of the Finals - Russel Rodrigues (Kuwait Goans)
Top Scorer of the tournament - Andre Dias (Kuwait Goans)
Best Goalkeeper of the tournament - Martin Dias (Kuwait Goans)
Man of the Match - Adelio Fernandes (Kuwait Goans)
Distinguished Player of the Tournament - Christovam Colaco of KGA
Winners and Runners-up Individual trophies to all registered players of the finalists
The prizes were offered by Sophia Fernandes (in memory of her late father Santano Fernandes), Steve Santimano, Seby Colaco, Ivo Rodrigues and Nicholas Monteiro. Winners and Runners-up Trophies were donated by Brazil Diniz (in memory of his late father Jose Diniz) and Angelo and Family (in memory of late Prisca Rodrigues).
The Champions:
Kuwait Goans Association
Martin Dias (goalkeeper), Teotonio Fernandes, Russel Rodrigues, Alex Goes, Jacob Dias, Remedios Fernandes, Cristeo Colaco, Vico D'Souza, Rummel Dias, Adelio Fernandes, Caridade D'Souza, Andre Dias, Jimmy Goveia, Zelito Cardozo, Lourenco Cardozo, Mario D'Souza, Andrew D'Souza and Concecao Rodrigues.
Coach: Lourenco Cardozo
Team Manager: Nazi Azavedo
Following clubs have won the Trophy since 1999-2000:
1999-2000 - Navelim Y. Centre
2000-01 - Colva United
2001-02 - Colva United
2002-03 - Navelim Y. Centre
2003-04 - Bombay Boys
2004-05 - Curtorcares United
2005-06 - GOA Maroons
2006-07 - DHL Kuwait
2007-08 - Kuwait Goan Association