Major Upsets on Soor Grounds: NYC Rolling Trophy
Kuwait: There were major upsets in the ongoing 17th NYC Rolling Trophy
Football tournament being played at Soor Grounds as defending champions GOA
Maroons, hosts Navelim and Bombay Boys were knocked out of the tournament.
GOA Maroons were beaten 1-0 by underdogs Santos Football Club while Navelim
Youth Centre (NYC) succumbed to an 8th minute penalty awarded by referee
Diago Fernandes for a handball which NYC alleged to be the referees
'imagination'.
It is logical that the losers are the ones forever to complain about 'unfair
referee-ing'. But when a winning team too starts arguing and abusing the
referee, there is something wrong somewhere - either the referee is
unusually harsh in applying rules, or he has no control and confidence.
Referee Diago flashed 5 yellow cards and a red card to DHL's Elvis D'Souza
for abusive language that left teams and supporters disgruntled.
The second half saw a see-saw battle between the teams with the ball moving
frenetically from one end to other. Agnelo Miranda, goal scorer for DHL,
along with Marcelino Pereira, Jose Calado and Cruz Silva played a stellar
role in the match. NYC fought untiringly trying to equal the score with John
Furtado, Alfred Pires, Simao, Duarte Ferrao and Cruzedio playing to their
full potential.
DHL goalkeeper Pillai denied Navelim atleast three times in the last quarter
of play before NYC striker Ivo D'Costa missed a sitter from point blank
range and referee Diago turned a Nelson's eye to evident fouls on NYC's
Cruzedio and Duarte inside the penalty area.
Kuwait Goans Association v/s United Friends Club
Those expecting a tough tussle between Siemens sponsored Kuwait Goans
Association and United Friends Club (UFC) in keeping with the high interest
given to their encounter were wrong. The game did not rise to soaring
heights as expected.
Chances flowed freely from the start with KGA creating better openings
through their wise midfielders Tiago Fenandes (Ex-Slagaocar Sports Club,
Goa) and Vico D'Souza. With high experience behind him of playing for Goan
NFL teams such as Sporting Clube, Fransa and Dempo, Vico dazzled in midfield
whereas UFC's midfielders Sarto, Agnelo (Mam) Fernandes and Anthony
Fernandes were found 'wanting.'
UFC captain and centre-back Mauricio Simoes was the lone player to put up a
strong resistance while the UFC strikers were left stranded most of the time
as their midfielders failed to hold or clinch or run forward with the ball.
Any long passes meant for the strikers were easily intercepted by KGA
defence led by stopper back Teotonio and wing back Cristo Colaco
Sluggish and struggling to get any real forward momentum in the opening
quarter, UFC defenders Alex and Rui Silveira were caught out when Caridade
switched a long ball to Melrin Braganza who flicked a first time pass to
striker Jimmy that found the UFC defence beaten. Jimmy lobbed the ball over
an advancing and helpless UFC goalkeeper Olavo Monteiro to take the lead
(1-0).
KGA players moved in such organized cohesion that it was not long before
they increased the score through the efforts of Caridade D'Souza (2-0).
KGA struck another nail eight minutes from end. Chrisovam Colaco had created
the opening by beating Alino Mendes on the right flank and substitute Denzil
put the finishing touch by directing a powerful header from close range
(3-0).
AVC Overseas Association v/s Bombay Boys
AVC Overseas Association were clearly on top throughout the match and sailed
into the semis with a convincing 2-0 victory over Bombay Boys. Both the
goals were scored by striker Melvy Fernandes.
Edward Dias, Vincy Pereira, Francis Rodrigues, Kevin and Melvy Fernandes
excelled for the winners while Tony D' Costa, Prakash, Valanky and Philip
Ferrao put up a brilliant but futile display for Bombay Bombays.
With this victory, AVC have now scored 17 goals, in KIFF affiliated games
since mid last season, without taking a goal. They seem to be heading
towards an unbreakable record as they face Santos Football Club who shocked
defending champions GOA Maroons 1-0.
Santos struggled to find their bearings in the early part of the match but
strengthened later with Xavier Costa, Russel, Agnello Carvalho, and Edwin
Gomes working hard to create the moves.
Maroons dominated the early exchanges, forcing a string of corners and going
close to scoring with a Augustine Sequiera drive that went over the bar
before Santos Club's Russel Rodrigues scored against the run of play. Just
five minutes had remained when Russel lashed in a magnificent shot from the
edge of the area to settle a game which everyone expected Maroons to win
with certainty.
Santos FC who will be challenging AVC from making it to their 3rd
consecutive NYC Rolling Final, however, will be without their key player
Russel Rodrigues who earned his second yellow card in two successive games.
The tournament ORGANIZED BY NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE is being held under the
auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) and is officiated by
IFRA Referees.
Also Check:
http://www.nycq8.com
http://www.indianfootball.com/news/m200612.html
The Times - Weekly Newspaper -- Official Media Sponsor of NYC Trophy
Semifinal Fixtures 29.12.2006
Ground B
AVC v/s Santos FC @ 7.00 am
DHL v/s Kuwait Goans @ 8.30 am
