Churchill Brothers let in 7 goals to 1 :::Kuwaiti 'soccer' overwhelms Churchill's Indian 'football'::: By Gasper Crasto / Kuwait Defending Champions Kuwait SC proved too good with their soccer Tactics for Churchill Brothers football as the hosts overwhelmed the Goan
Outfit by a huge margin of 7-1 goals . N. Silveira was the lone goal scorer for Churchill while the Kuwaitis scored At will scoring 3 in the first half and 4 in the second. Needless to say, Once again an Indian club failed to break the jinx of continued losses in Kuwait. The first leg between Kuwait SC and Churchill Bros played in Goa was a 2-2 Draw. Both teams, however, have already qualified for the round of 16. Kuwait SC topped the group with 10 points. The match played at Kuwait SC stadium, Kaifan, Kuwait City was attended by a Large number of Indian spectators, mostly Goans working here. However, the Kuwaitis gave the crowd little to cheer throughout the match. Churchill Brothers patron and PWD Minister with the Goa Government Mr. Churchill Alemao was among the crowd. Churchills striker captain Odafe was Absent suspended following two yellow cards while Kuwait SCs Brazilian Coach Arthur Berinandes was nowhere to be seen with the team, apparently Resigned just a day before the match. Its hard to believe.!!! Such a huge loss. What happened? Well, look around and the result can be said as it was coming. Gahwas (coffee/hookah) shops in Kuwait are generally filled with males of All ages staring at a glaring TV screen, which is most likely broadcasting a soccer match. Most of the teams regularly followed here will not be local or national, but A major game between two internationally popular teams. If they happen to Watch a local game, it might be the Gulf Cup or the Kuwaiti Amiri Cup final Between Al Arabi or Qadsiya two major soccer rivals in Kuwait. But why is it that local youths are more likely to be Manchester, Barcelona Or Chelsea fans than say, Salmiya SC a local Kuwaiti soccer club, Supporters? The answer was all there to be seen at the Kuwait SC stadium for the Churchill-Kuwait match. The Goan supporters outnumbered the Kuwaitis. That Churchill Brothers failed to live up to peoples expectations is another Ball game altogether. There are several reasons why Kuwaitis are looking toward foreign soccer As a means of entertainment rather than their own. Some fans argue that There is a lack of quality in the local product despite such huge victories As 7-1 against Churchill, and Qadsiya winning 4-1 against East Bengal. The late 1970s and 1980s was considered the golden age of Kuwaiti football For the national team they played in their first and last, their only Appearance in the FIFA World Cup in 1982, and had the most talented players In Kuwaits footballing history. On the other hand, the current clubs and national squad lack the standards That allowed the older team to qualify for the world cup just a few decades Ago. Teams today, are perhaps badly managed, and they say the local sports Federation has become an inheritance for the rich and connected types. This Lack of proper management reflects on the professionalism of the clubs and The soccer leagues, and subsequently its games. The players are kept at an amateur level because of the absence of proper Guidance and leadership. This could be one reason why Kuwait SC failed to Fulfill the criteria and qualify for the more lucrative Asian Champions League despite being Champions last year. In addition, the performance of local teams is always overshadowed by European and South American soccer. These western teams are 100 years old or older and their collective histories arguably add to their grandeur And professionalism. It can also be argued that what has spurred the rising popularity of Western soccer and killing of local games is the growth of satellite TV, specially The 10 plus Al-Jazeera Sports channels available in the region. Today one Can watch all of the English, Spanish, Italian, German and Champions league soccer games with Arabic and English commentary and at the finest prime Time in Kuwait. Unfortunately, it is only when a major international soccer team like AC Milan (2000), Brazil (2006), Barcelona (2009) comes to play a match with a Local team, do you hear any local buzz. There was hardly any news in the Local media on the Kuwait SC - Churchill Bros match and perhaps there wont Be any despite such a huge tennis score victories. Hopefully, with time, Kuwaiti clubs will gain the same professionalism and Credence as their Western counterparts, to be really appreciated. As for Churchill Brothers, well, what can we say? Indian bikes are fit for Indian Roads only..? Check Gasper Crastos blog: http://gaspersworld.blogspot.com/
