:::Alvernaz-Lalush Alemao NYC Trophy::: Goa Maroons to face Navelim in quarters :::By Gasper Crasto / Kuwait::: Kuwait, Mar 8: Football in this part of the world is arguably the number one sport for expatriate Indians. The atmosphere created at some of the matches is simply amazing! In the first round matches of the Late Alvernaz-Lalush Alemao NYC Trophy played at MoH Grounds, Shuwaikh, teams had to play in an altogether different atmosphere. The whole of Kuwait was engulfed in thick dust and fog Friday morning, 4th March 2011. And it was windy as well. Teams battled out in trying conditions with enthusiastic spectators cheering and enjoying in the thrill. GOA Maroons who were favorites to win their first round easily had to fight tooth and nail to overcome FC Sparx. The popular Maroons consisting of Ian, Regi, Terence, Steven, etc, displayed tremendous team work. Their superiority showed in ball possession that put FC Sparx on the back foot right from the kick-off. Maroons created many chances but their forwards lacked the killer punch in a goalless first half. However, Maroons managed to find some space early into the second half and score the first goal through Albert (1-0). Kennedy and Albert then put in 2 more goals to make the match safe. Goa Maroons will next meet hosts and defending champions Navelim Youth Centre in the quarter finals. Santos FC playing in the first round showed grit and determination in their match against Indian Strikers with striker Cruzinho finding the target in the first half. In the second half, Jagadesh equalized for Indian Strikers and in another 5 minutes, they took the lead through Roy Pathrose. Few minutes before the final whistle, Abdullah scored the equalizer for Santosh to take the match to extra time and the tie-breaker. Indian Strikers proved be better shooters ending the tie-breaker with a 4 -2 score. In another match, DHL with a formidable line-up got past YRC Rising Stars in the tie-breaker. It was an evenly contested match. Both teams missed some key players through injury or caution? Rising Stars held an edge in the first half with a couple of goal bound moves. DHL had a good opportunity to take the lead when Jose Colaco was brought down in the box but off the resultant spot-kick Godfrey ballooned over the goal post. The match was more physical in the second half. Rising Stars’ Thallaparambil was flashed a red card for elbowing a DHL defender and Rising were reduced to 10 men. Surprisingly, it was Rising who took the lead through Maveli Fajilu (1-0) DHL equalized through Anthony Vincent to level the scores 1-1. In the extra time, neither team wanted to take chances with play was confined to midfield. In the penalty shootout Rising Stars panicked as DHL goalkeeper saved important kicks from Jai John, Prakashan, Shymmlal. DHL won 3-1.
Alvernaz-Lalush Memorial NYC Trophy sponsored by Churchill Brothers, Goa is organized by Navelim under the leadership of President Agnello A. S. Fernandes. With ‘Friendship through Sports’ as the theme, the main aim of the organization is to promote football and friendship among the Indian masses. Before the start of all 3 matches of the first round, a minute's silence was observed as a sign of respect to the departed soul of Mr Agnelo (Agnu) Baptista Fernandes, former footballer affiliated to Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) who died an untimely death on 3rd March 2011. Fourteen strong teams affiliated to Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) are contesting for the prestigious, perhaps one of the most uniquely sculpt trophies worldwide, instituted by Navelim Youth Centre in the year 1993. Hosts Navelim Youth Centre have won the trophy 7 times since its inception while Maroons have won the tournament 5 times. The participating teams are: Navelim Youth Centre, Curtorcares United, Goa Maroons, Kuwait Goan Association, United Friends Club, DHL, Skynet Raiders, CRC Chinchinim, YRC Rising Stars, Santos FC, United Goans Strikers, Indian Strikers, Rawda Challengers and FC Sparx. :::Friday (11/03/2011) Fixtures::: CRC Chinchinim vs United Goans at 06.45 am KGA vs Skynet Raiders at 08:30 am Rawda Challengers vs United Friends Club at 09.45 am Also Read: http://gaspersworld.blogspot.com/ http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=226089 http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/ http://www.ekuwaitindians.com/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/33663
