Kuwait Goans, AVC, Fahaheel Brothers in Semis In chilling temperatures as low as 6°C at Salmiya Grounds, Kuwait Goans Association (KGA) led 2-0 in the second half with goals from Andre Dias and Jimmy Goveia. With less than ten minutes left for the final whistle Christovam was moving diagonally with the ball just after the centre circle when DHL's stopper-back Elvis lunged at his legs with both feet. The studs beneath one of Elvis' boots crashed into the flesh of Christovam's shin grounding the player writhing in pain.
Kuwait Goans with officials after the match 
Christovam Colaco
KGA officials who reportedly lodged a complaint with KIFF against the brutal tackle said Christovam was operated at Al-Razi Hospital for a broken leg. "Christovam's football activity is ended in most probability and he is in danger of losing his job also. We are afraid he may never be able to play again. He is crippled with the shin bone broken into two. Doctors have advised him complete bed rest to recuperate once discharged from the hospital. It could be as many as 3 months before he can walk again. For the time, all arrangements are being made to fly the player back to his home in Goa for better care and treatment. Many clubs have shown concern and support towards the player..," disclosed KGA Team Manager Nazi Azavedo.
The official football rules called the 'Laws of the Game' are revised annually by FIFA, the world football governing body. These rules are adopted by KIFF and the Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA), although many football organizations worldwide have their own set of rules.
"...Perhaps the 'dastardly foul' will be discussed by the disciplinary committee of KIFF. Even then, an offence like this may get a maximum 3 match ban. That's not enough..." remarked an unnamed football administrator.
Public Reaction
There were mixed reactions from all circles about the credibility of some teams and players in the aftermath of the fatal injury.
Many spectators called the foul 'intentional', 'horrendous' and viewed concern over such tackles perpetrated by some 'frustrated' players in an expatriate 'working' world where games are played only as pastime.
"There are some players who disgrace their teams and bring the game to disrepute – especially when they are at the losing end," commented a spectator while another bystander added, "There was no need for such a dangerous tackle knowing they (DHL) were down by 2 goals...No, it was not accidental or 50-50...It was deliberate... Everybody saw that!.. Moreover, it is disgusting to note some of DHL's supporters and substitutes instigating their players from the sidelines to play rough."
"Someone needs to sit him down and educate him about the game he plays," said another observer about the DHL defender, "This player should be kicked out of the game by his club and the federation. It is necessary to improve the game's image... Primarily, it should be every club's responsibility to impress upon players not to commit fouls that get them sent off..."
Christovam was undoubtedly the best player on the field with meticulous dribbling and majestic, untiring runs with the ball. He fed his strikers over and over again with precision passes. Kuwait Goans took the lead through his hard work off striker Andre Dias and were never in real danger from then on. KGA goalkeeper Martin Dias, captain Vico D'Souza, Caridade and defender Teotonio too excelled in the match.
Leroy Rodrigues
Leroy hatricks for AVC
In the other quarter-final matche, striker Leroy Rodrigues scored a hatrick to coast AVC Overseas Association to an easy 3-0 victory over C.R.C. Chinchinim. AVC led 2-0 in the first half. The second half was more an ordeal of sorts though AVC held sway and probed persistently for another goal, but lacked that killer finish from their forwards even as Chinchinim looked to be running out of steam and chose to play second fiddle only to come up with occasional raids to release the pressure.
In yet another quarter-final round, Curtorcares United, champions in 2004~05 succumbed to a 4-1 defeat against spirited Fahaheel Brothers. Curtorcares, who scored 11 goals in their last two encounters appeared to have left their scoring boots at home against a middling Fahaheel defense. Strikers Lawrence Furtado and Zico Fernandes could not beat the Fahaheel defense not just because the defenders were outstanding but more so because they did not make that extra effort or showed urgency when it mattered. Muneer and Riyas were the pick of the players for Fahaheel Brothers. Nishad (2 goals), Suleiman and Liyakat Ali scored for Fahaheel. Alex Fernandes reduced the margin for Curtorcares.
In the semifinal line-up on Friday, January 18, 2008, Kuwait Goans will clash with Fahaheel Brothers while Don Bosco Oratory challenge AVC to stake claim for their first final appearance in Kuwait Indian football tournaments.
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