Battle lines have been drawn as favorites DHL Express take on strong
contenders Goa Boys in the grand final of the I.F.R.A ‘eleven a side’
open soccer tournament at the Salmiya Municipal (Baladyia) grounds on
Friday, 8th April 2011 at 4:00pm (sharp).
This unique tournament organized by the Indian Football Referees
Association to commemorate 30 years of existence, commenced on 21st
January 2011 with the participation of 16 teams including teams from Sri
Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh and the large number of spectators who
turned up for the games during the weekends were entertained with some
great soccer skills from the various teams. Two teams, St. Anthony Colva
with a host of selected star players and Real Betalbatim were
unfortunate to lose out in the semi finals and will clash for the third
and fourth place at 2:15pm, prior to the finals.
On paper, DHL Express with the in-form goal scoring machine Unni
Krishnan in dazzling form and having players of the caliber of Johnny,
Terrence, Elvis and Anton in the goal start firm favorites, but Goa
Boys, who have beaten Thailand, and Real Betalbatim on their way to the
finals have the advantage of experienced players like Britto, Duarte,
Alfred, Martin, Theo, and their mercurial forward Hemant Kumar, will
certainly put in their best to ensure the result turn out different.
His Excellency, the Ambassador of India has been invited as a special
guestfor the final which is expected to be hugely attended with I.F.R.A
planning to release a 30 years commemorative souvenir and formal opening
of the new I.F.R.A website. As per information received from the
organizers, the winners will receive one of the largest trophies ever
presented along with individual trophies to all the players of the
winners, runners-up, as well as the third and fourth place. Plaques and
trophies will also be given to all the participating teams, best mid
fielder, best goalkeeper, and best forward in the final.
Founded in 1980 by Late J. P. D’Mello (FIFA Referee), A.E. D’Souza,
Junnifer Rodrigues, (Shaikh) Agnelo Fernandes, Peter Monteiro, Domnic
Monsorate and Tony Gonsalves, I.F.R.A is now run by a group of
likeminded individuals with Sarto Baptista as President and at the helm
of affairs, ably supported by a team of 31 qualified referees. The third
and fourth place play off between St. Anthony’s Colva and Real
Betalbatim will commence at 2:15pm, immediately followed by the finals
between Goa Boys and DHL Express at 4:00pm. All the teams are requested
to be on time.
