GOA Maroons hold defending champions Don Bosco Oratory – DHL maintain lead as KGA-Nagoa down United Goans

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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: The much awaited Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) Season 2015-16 kicked off 9th October 2015 at Bayan Grounds with a modest opening ceremony.  Rev Fr Franco Pereira SDB began the morning with a short prayer. Many of the stalwarts present on the occasion specially the Ex-KIFF Presidents, current Club Presidents and KIFF Managing Committee were introduced to the spectators.

In an address to the public, KIFF President Derrick Gomindes emphasized unity and discipline to be maintained throughout the season while thanking the Referees body and KIFF Referees for supporting the federation. He later declared the season open.

The day kicked off with the KIFF League matches for JP D’Mello Rolling Trophy. KIFF League consists of 16 teams divided into 2 groups playing in a round-robin league. Top 4 teams from each group qualify for the next phase of the league which will be a knockout.

Participating teams

The participating clubs for the season are Goan Overseas Association, United Goans Centre, YRC Rising Stars, Navelim Youth Centre, Curtorcares United, Kuwait Goans Association-Nagoa Verna, FC Sparx, Indian Strikers FC, DHL Football Club, AVC Overseas Sports and Cultural Association, Skynet-Miracles SC, Santos United, Don Bosco Oratory, Malabar United FC, Soccer Kerala and Kerala Challengers.

All matches held on the first day were from Group ‘A’.

First match played between GOA Maroons and defending champions Don Bosco Oratory resulted in a goalless draw (0-0). Both teams were cautious in their approach, though GOA Maroons had a slight upper edge.

Prajot Naik of Don Bosco Oratory was awarded Man of the Match at the hands of Raymond D’Sa, President of GOA Maroons.

In the second match DHL scored early against Malabar FC and maintained the lead for earn 3 points. Malabar tried their hearts out towards the end but DHL defence stood firm.

DHL’s Vico D’Souza was presented Man of the Match by B.M. Viegas, KIFF Gen. Secretary.

The third match between FC Sparx and Indian Strikers was another tame draw. Indian Strikers goalkeeper Ashikh Abbas saved the day for his team with some excellent saves. He was later adjudged Man of the Match, the award was presented by Norman Norohna, President of Navelim YC.

The last match between KGA-Nagoa Verna and United Goans (UG Strikers) was a one sided affair with the former scoring at regular intervals for a 5-0 victory. Anthony Rego scored the first hat-trick of the season. John D’Costa and Datharan Bhojji were the other scorers for the winners. UG had no answer whatsoever to match the opponents.

Salvador Dias, president of KGA — Nagoa Verna presented the Man of the Match to Anthony Rego.

All KIFF matches for the season will be officiated by referees affiliated to KIFF under KIFF Referees Sub-committee headed by Salvador Dias, Bernard Fernandes and Robert Bernard. All officials were excellent in their judgments.

Miss Penny Rebello compered the opening ceremony which was later taken over by Kevin Vaz. Photos were captured by Naushad while refreshments were provided by Goa Caterers.

In addition to the League, 11-aside and 7-aside tournaments are also packed into the KIFF calendar.

7-Aside tournament by Indian Strikers

Indian Strikers will conduct a 7-aside one-day tournament that will be played under KIFF on Wednesday 14th October (public holiday in Kuwait). Teams affiliated to Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) are eligible to take part in the tournament. All matches of the tournament shall be played on the artificially turfed Bayan Grounds.

KIFF Managing Committee for season 2015-16:

President — Derrick Gomindes (GOA Maroons); Vice-President — Xavier Furtado (AVC); Gen. Secretary — B.M. Viegas (KGA-Nagoa Verna); Sports Secretary — Domnick Pereira (Curtorcares United); Treasurer — Jinu Kurien (Kerala Challengers); Registrar — Marshall Fernandes (YRC Rising Stars); Asst. Sports Secretary — Claro Fernandes (DHL); P.R.O — Austin Abreo (Skynet Miracles FC); Executive Member — Robert Bernard (Indian Strikers)

KIFF League Fixtures for 16th October 2015; Venue: Bayan Grounds

6.45am: Kerala Challengers v/s Curtorcares United; 8.00am: AVC Kuwait v/s Santos United; 9.00am: Skynet Miracles v/s YRC Rising Stars; 10.00am: Navelim Youth Centre v/s Soccer Kerala.

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