BOMBAY BOYS �A� VICTORIOUS.
The one day seven-a-side soccer festival orgnised by Curtorcares United, and sponsored by Ngeeco Siemens at Sour Grounds on 25th Feb 2004, finally went in favour of Bombay Boys �A� when they defeated strong title contenders Santos FC. Bombay Boys �A� having a very strong side this season within a short period of few weeks reached into two finals losing one and winning the other one, that is of yesterday. In Curtorcares orgnised tournament yesterday on Kuwait National Day, Bombay Boys �A� reached into the final first by defeating Rising Stars, then Curtorcares and Kerala Challengers from whom they encountered strong opposition but somehow due to their good team work and accurate finishing they overcame all the hurdles. While Santos FC reached into the finals by beating Jai Hind, walkover Bombay Boys �B� and in the semifinal they had to use their reserve energy in downing strong challengers G.O.A. Maroons.
The final was played 12.30, which was umpired by Gaspar Crasto who was assisted on the lines by Eric Almeida and Fazel Salahudeen. Since both the teams had youthful and aggressive players and both the teams wanted to win the final, from the start itself both the teams went for the kill and in the bargain Bombay Boys �A� managed to score the first goal. Receiving the ball inside the territory of Santos, their right inner and speedy Agnelo in a solo attempt ran with the ball and released a beautiful right footer that gave Bombay Boys �A� 1-0 lead in the 3rd minute itself. Santos keeper tried to stop this goal but he failed in his diving attempt. Within a short time in the 5th minute Santos FC increased the pace of their attack and succeeded in equalizing thru a powerful right footer by their forward Martins who gave no chance for Bombay Boys �A� keeper to save it.
The winning goal came in the dying moments of the second half when Santos defender slight mistake gave very good opportunity for Bombay Boys �A� ever agile Roy to tap the ball into the net of course over the head of Santos keeper who had no chance to save it. Otherwise he played a very good game under the bar of Santos exactly the way his counterpart played under the bar of Bombay Boys �A�.
The tournament was well attended by the spectators many of them were seated in the Tent specially erected for VIPs. Besides players, the center of attraction for the entire tournament was young girl coming from Dubai Miss Thracha D�Mello who with her mellifluent tongue compeered the proceedings and she did this job of course to the astonishment of everyone who gathered there. It was a rare occasion for a girl amongst us to compeer the soccer proceedings so amazingly and so beautifully. At this young age Miss Thracha reaching to this height of maturity is something to be proud of especially for Goan community. According to many who attended this festival she gained more limelight than the players playing on the ground. In fact she infused some extra vigour and glamour in the festival. Incidentally, Miss Thracha D�Mello is the daughter of Curtorim in Goa and she came to Kuwait to attend to this one-day soccer festival along with her father Philip D�Mello who was the guest of honour.
During the prize distribution ceremony, in his presidential address, Salvador Dias who is more �lokpriya� than any of the Curtorcares in Kuwait, thanked all the participating teams, Kuwait Indian Foot-ball Federation under whom this tournament was organized, KIFF Referees, Chief Guest Mr. Sajid Khan � The Sales Director of Ngeeco Siemens who were the main sponsors of this tournament, all the members of Curtorcares United and everyone who assisted in making this tournament a big success. As a matter of interest, this annual tournament is running now since last 8 years and this is the eight edition. Since Salvador Dias took over the presidency of Curtorcares, the public support has been increased tremendously mainly because of very good public relationship of Salvador with everyone. Besides, Salvador is a very good social worker amongst us in Kuwait and if Curtorcares in Kuwait become so popular it is because of Salvador Dias who is nicely marketing Curtorcares in Kuwait. In his brief speech Mr. Sajid Khan the Chief Guest appreciated the good work Salvador is doing under Curtorcares in the promotion of soccer and assured his help in future. The Guest of Honour Mr. Philip D�Mello in his short speech in Konkani showing his true Goan colours praised the organizers for conducting such a beautiful one-day soccer festival.
Just before the start of final, Raffle Draw of Curtorcares United was held and all the prizes were declared then and there.
The prizes were distributed thru the hands of Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, Miss Thracha D�Mello, Luis Cardoso, members of Curtorcares and football fraternity.
The Man of the Match Award went to Roy Luis of Bombay Boys �A�.
Best Discipline Team Award went to Kerala Challengers.
Best Defender Award went to Domnick Fernandes of Santos F.C.
Best Goalkeeper of the tournament Award went to Jose of Bombay Boys �A�.
Man of the tournament Award went to Prashant of Bombay Boys �A�.
Highest scorer of the tournament Award went jointly to Martin & Agnelo of Santos F.C.
First scorer of the tournament Award went to Agnelo D�Souza of Bombay Boys �A�.
Best midfielder of the tournament Award went to Agnelo D�Souza of Bombay Boys �A�.
Joe Fernandes of UG and Lawry Pinto of Rising Stars were given special Awards for their long time devoted services to our soccer in Kuwait.
Special Award for being Devoted Member of Curtorcares United went to Joaozinho Amores.
Olinda Rebello presented special gift to all the Referees.
Besides the main sponsor Ngeeco Siemens, this one day seven-a-side tournament was also sponsored by Pan Arab Travels Co., Chevron Texaco, Life Insurance Corporation (International) E.C., Lipton and Al Sallal. Their banners were strategically displayed at Sour Grounds.
A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait.
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