------------------------------------------------------- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.casadegoa.org -------------------------------------------------------
Kerala to Challenge Kuwait Goans: KIFF League Final Kuwait City: Semi-final matches are the toughest of games in any competition anywhere -- it's not something strange at Soor Grounds either. In the KIFF League semifinals for the J.P. D'Mello Trophy played on Friday, Kuwait Goan Association hammered defending champions and hot favorites Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) by 3 goals while in the other semis Kerala Challengers triumphed over extreme heat, fiery tempers, and animated fracas to book a place in their first League Final with a 2-1 contentious victory against DHL - Kuwait. The strong Kerala lads will now lock horns with SIEMENS sponsored Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) in the finals to be held Friday, 15 June 2007. It is moment of pride for the young Kuwait Goan Association (KGA), placed third in the League last season, to be in a prestigious final within a short span of their existence. The club established in 2005 has shown tremendous progress under the leadership of President Salvador Dias and are predicted to win the prestigious Trophy in their maiden entry. Navelim paid the price for leaving out experienced goalkeeper Britto Pereira and midfielder Americo Fernandes from their first eleven. KGA broke ahead off a corner kick in the first half and except for striker Cruzedio Rodrigues, no one really came close to equalizing for Navelim. KGA took advantage of a defensive lap to score another two excellent goals late into the second half to seal victory. J.P.D'Mello Trophy The J.P. Memorial Rolling Trophy - KIFF League is named after late Jerome Pascoal DMello (popularly known in India and Kuwait as J.P). JP was Ex-FIFA referee and Member of Asian Football Confederation Referees Committee and Ex-Hon. Secretary and Member of Bombay Referees' Association. JP who lived in Andheri East, Bombay, left for heavenly abode in 1994. He was the prime architect in conceiving the idea of forming KIFF - Kuwit Indian Football Federation. KIFF LEAGUE WINNERS SINCE 1996 SEASON PLAYED BETWEEN CHAMPIONS 1996/97 Navelim Y. Centre v/s G.O.A Maroons Goa Maroons 1997/98 Navelim Y. Centre v/s United Friends Club Navelim Youth Centre 1998/99 United Friends Club v/s United Goans Centre United Friends Club 1999/00 League not held 2000/01 G.O.A Maroons v/s United Friends Club Goa Maroons 2001/02 Navelim Y. Centre v/s G.O.A Maroons Navelim Youth Centre 2002/03 Navelim Y. Centre v/s United Friends Club United Friends Club 2003/04 Bombay Boys v/s United Friends Club Bombay Boys 2004/05 Navelim Youth Centre v/s A.V.C. Overseas Association AVC Overseas Association 2005/06 Navelim Youth Centre v/s GOA Maroons Navelim Youth Cen Watch out for an exclusive Report and Photos of the Glamorous KIFF NITE held on May 31, 2007 The DHL v/s Kerala Challengers match was a high drama game - both teams 'fighting' to be in the finals. Referee Bernard Fernandes flashed nearly a dozen cards including marching orders to Kerala goalkeeper. Bernard was well supported in his decisions by the two assistant referees although players of the losing team had a different opinion. The game was stopped a couple of times during the second session with DHL incessantly appealing to force an equalizer when they were down 1-2. The match however ended at that score to great jubilations from Kerala players and fans. It is reported that DHL players John Ferrao and Joaquim Pillay are suspended by KIFF from the next few games for using foul language against officials and administrators. The concerned players are notable for their bad mouth and illiteracy in a world of amateur football. With the season culminating with the KIFF League finale, it remains to be seen if these kind of players are signed again by any reputed clubs for the season 2007-08. Meanwhile, KIFF President B.M.Viegas has extended an invitation to all clubs, KIFF affiliates and football lovers to attend the finals. A Third Place Play-off will be held prior to the finals between Navelim and DHL. The Final will start sharp at 8am on the Ground A - of the famous Soor Grounds India's Premier Football Site: Indianfootball.com ------------------------------------------------------- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim & internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------
