Navelim crowned Champions for a record 7th time: J.P D'Mello KIFF League 2013
Copyrights © GASPER CRASTO
Kicʞbacks - by Gasper Crasto
Kuwait - June 2013: Kuwait:
Navelim Youth Centre (NYC), in the Silver Jubilee year of their existence in
Kuwait, emerged champions of the J. P. D’Mello KIFF League for a record 7th
time when they defeated Indian Strikers FC 2-1 in the final of the KIFF League played
at Al-Qadsyia Stadium. The year-long tournament organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF), played on league-cum-knockout basis, featuring 18 teams from the expatriate Indian community in Kuwait, was sponsored by Gulf Cable & Electric Industries Company, Kuwait.
Photos by Simon Dias & Rivon Gomes
Dignitaries present on the occasion were the chief guest Mr. Sushil Kumar (First
secretary of Indian Embassy), guest of honor Mr. Naser Omran Kanan of Gulf
Cable & Electrical Industries Company, Mr. Asif Juzar owner of Pro Sports,
and presidents of participating clubs.
All
Kerala team Indian Strikers FC making their first appearance in League final
started the game on the back foot with Navelim hitting wave after wave of
attacks. It was a matter of time before Cruzedio scored for Navelim in the 20th
minute off a corner kick.
Sunford
Cardozo made it 2-0 from the penalty spot a little later, when Indian Strikers defender
Shihin handled a goal-bound ball. Referee Julio Cardoso had no hesitation in
giving him the marching orders.
With
the beating of drums and encouragement by the supporters, Indian Strikers
reduced the margin off a penalty kick awarded for a foul. Dustan Paul converted
to give his team a glimmer of hope.
Cruzedio
Rodrigues, Simao Gaunkar, Sunford Cardoz and Bernardo Pires excelled for
Navelim.
Indian
Strikers forward Roy Pathrose, Biju and Amada tried their level best to find
the equalizer, but Navelim stood firm
with Man of the Match and captain Duarte Ferrao marshalling from an unusual
position of central defender, thwarting any danger.
Champions Navelim consisted of Britto Pereira, Wilson Pires, Duarte Ferrao (captain),
Alfred Pires, Ashley Rodrigues, Christi Pires, Sunford Cardozo, Bernard Pires,
Simao Gaunkar, Gasper Crasto, Victor Fernandes, Adrian Goes, Joaquim Rodrigues,
Nilesh Parmar, Ivo D’Costa, Americo Fernandes, Rumel, Ivo Rodrigues, Bernard
Sr, Miguel Fernandes, etc. Team Manager:
Avelino Dias.
All
matches of the league were officiated by the Indian Football Referees
Association (IFRA). Julio Cardoso officiated the final with Francis Fernandes
and Nicholas Fernandes on the lines.
Earlier,
Fidelis Fernandes, President of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) welcomed
the guests. Sunil Chhetri in his brief speech
thanked KIFF for inviting him to Kuwait and said he was very impressed with the
way the Indian expatriate community promoted Indian football in Kuwait.
During
half time, KIFF made time to honor Mr. Raymond D’Sa, longest serving president
of Goan overseas Association (Goa Maroons) for his service to Indian football
and the community in general. Fr. Franco
Pereira Sdb., was also felicitated for his contribution in promoting football
among the youth and for completing 25 years of priesthood.
Navelim
Youth Centre swept all the individual trophies awarded at the presentation
ceremony:
Best
Goalkeeper - Britto Pereira
Alfred
Pires – Best Defender
Best
midfielder - Bernardo Pires
Cruzedio
Rodrigues – Best Striker
Man
of the Match - Duarte Ferrao.
Anthony Rodrigues
(AVC) – Top Scorer of the Season
Fair Play Trophy -
Real Betalbatim FC
The top scorer was
given a gold coin from the hands of Mr. V. K. Vohra. The prizes and
glittering trophies were given at the hands of Praveen Kumar, Kevin Vaz,
Stephen Fernandes, Seby Dias, Joseph Gomes and Mrs. Rauzat Juzar, Mrs. Aratha
Fernandes, Sushil Kumar, Naser Omran Kanan, Derrick Gomindes, Fidelis
Fernandes and Sunil Chhetri.
