Kuwait City: Curtorcares United stunned star studded United Friends Club (UFC) 4-0 on a cold and windy Friday morning while formidable GOA Maroons lost out to Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) 2-0 in the 18th Edition of NYC Rolling Trophy tournament being played at Salmiya Grounds, Salmiya.
NYC Rolling Trophy is played under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) and is in the 18th year of its edition. The matches of the tournament are officiated by Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA). (For Photos click: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/17243 ) It proved stars dont rule the game in Kuwait Indian football as UFCs ageing star footballers like Sarto Baptista, Phillip Ferrao, Jose Rod, Agnelo Fernandes (Mam) and goalkeeper Olavo Monteiro succumbed to a toothless defeat at the hands of Curtorcares whom they had defeated 3-1 last year in the same tournament. Young Zico Fernandes was the live-wire for Curtorcares upfront. He broke into the UFC defense repeatedly and scored 2 quick goals while Lawrence Furtado and substitute Padekaran accounted for the other two. Roshan DSouza was the rock in Curtorcares defence and also helped create chances as UFC dominated major part of the game after the first goal. Mighty GOA Maroons knocked out in first round It is not many times that the four-time champions GOA Maroons have bow out of any tournament in Kuwait in the first round. In temperatures as low as 12° C, Maroons started with a quick passing game and put Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) under pressure right from the start. But despite Maroons control of possession KGAs Vico DSouza, Christo Colaco and Russel Rodrigues looked dangerous with their solo runs. Andre Dias gave the much needed lead for KGA and added another one to the score to clinch the match. Maroons Jerry DSouza who came in place of Deryk Fernandes showed lot of eagerness to equalize. However, KGA were able to use the runs of bubbling Zelito Cardozo and Jimmy Goveia to relieve pressure on their defense. Referee Richard Dixon gave marching orders to KGAs Remedio Fernandes for a second consecutive offence. One of the strongest teams in the tournament, KGA will now meet Santos Football Club in the next round. The forthcoming game will gather high interest in the team. Veterans beat Malayalee Arts and Sports In another match, spirited Veterans Sports Club put it past Malayalee Arts and Sports to advance to the next phase. Both teams appeared equal throughout the match although Veterans were steadier in front of the goal and deservedly won the game. Striker Robin Fernandes and Jeffrey Rodrigues scored for the winners. Malayalee Arts and Sports played their hearts to get back into the game with outstanding play by Mujeeb, Abdul Rehman, Niyas and Firoz. The youngsters excelled throughout the match. Don Bosco show the door to debutants Goan Entertainment Club A goal each from the boots of Custodio Ataide, Ratan Dogra and Steven Rodrigues made the scoreboard look decent for Don Bosco Oratory as they showed the door to debutants Goan Entertainment Club with 3 goals to nil. Early pressure failed to produce shots on target at either ends. Goan Entertainment used all the tactics in the book to defend their citadel. Don Bosco shot into the lead through a combined move by Victor DCosta, Sainath and Roshan Dias. Enthusiasm seems to be the hallmark of the young Don Bosco players as they stake their claim to win another match. Next Friday (28.12.2007) Fixtures GROUND A Kuwait Goan Association v/s Santos Football Club at 7:00 am Curtorcares United v/s United Goans Centre at 8.30 am GROUND B Bombay Boys S. Club v/s Paradiso Sports Club at 7:00 am CRC Chinchinim v/s Veterans Sports Club at 8.30 am (News reproduced as published in Arab Times dated 25.12.2007) Links: www.goa-world.com www.indianfootball.com http://gaspersworld.tripod.com
