KIFF Nite Expenses

This is in reply to Mr. Veronica's latest report on Kranti blog regarding the KIFF Nite Expenses of 2007. Mr. Veronica the expenses were made official in the last AGM and all the 19 affiliates have a copy of the Annual report.

Regards,
Francis Xavier Furtado,
(KIFF Auditor 2006~07)
francis@gdc.com.kw

Kuwait Goans to clash with AVC in NYC Trophy finals

18th Edition of NYC Trophy - Semifinals
-By Gasper Crasto

Kuwait: Kuwait Goans Association (KGA) scored a convincing 2-0 victory over Fahaheel Brothers while AVC Overseas Association hammered Don Bosco Oratory 4-1 in the semifinals of the 18th NYC Trophy played at Salmiya Grounds.

Kuwait Goans sponsored by Siemens will now lock horns with AVC in the finals on Friday, 25th January 2008 at Salmiya Municipality grounds (behind Salmiya Co-operative) starting 8.30am.

It is moment of pride for both teams to be in a prestigious final. Kuwait Goans established in 2005 has shown tremendous progress in the tournament. “We want to win the Trophy...we shall win it for our player Christovam who got injured in the quarter-finals,” said an emotional KGA captain Vico D’Souza after their match.

Captains of KGA & AVC

AVC Overseas Association are in the forefront of Indian football for the past few years now. Since winning the Expatriate Overseas Championship held at Bahrain in 2004, AVC have won a number of tournaments. They hold a strange record of losing the last 3 consecutive finals of the NYC Trophy. “We will definitely break the jinx this time,” asserted AVC captain Francis Fernandes.

Action from KGA v/s Fahaheel Bros

KGA were on top after taking the lead off a superb goal by striker Andre Dias from outside the box. He added another one to his tally five minutes from end. Andre tops the scoring list with 7 goals in the tournament. Except for striker Liyakat Ali, no one really came close to scoring for Fahaheel. Caridade D’Souza, Vico, Jacob Dias and substitute Zelito Cardozo shone for the winners in midfield play.

IFRA referees Tony D'Costa, Richard Nixon & Sarto Baptista

Referee Tony D’Costa did not allow any close contact between players, at times he was too harsh to carry on with the game, pulling fouls which were not there. He flashed yellow cards to Fahaheel Brothers’ Sulaiman and Riyaz for dangerous play. KGA’s Zelito Cardozo was also flashed a yellow.

KGA in prayer after winning the match

The other semi-final started on a high, Don Bosco fighting to be in the finals for the first time. However, AVC defense marshaled by captain Francis and Joseph Quadros was too strong for the inexperienced Don Bosco. The less said about Don Bosco team the better. One thing, the youngsters have to learn much not to concede a goal before venturing out to score -- especially in a semifinal of a prestigious tournament – where not many teams get to reach that top. It looks they never learnt from their semifinal defeat in the UG Trophy tournament with the same opponent last year. AVC dominated the match and outplayed Don Bosco in all departments of the game.

Don Bosco v/s AVC

Some of Don Bosco’s players never looked they were playing a semifinal. While their stars Alex Sequiera, Roshan Dias, Diago D’Souza, Custodio Ataide, Ratan Dogra, etc, existed in the match, Steven Rodrigues was the lone fighter running tirelessly throughout the match. Vicky Bob (2 goals), Peter Crasto and Leroy Rodrigues scored for AVC. Substitue Phillip Duarte reduced the margin for Don Bosco in the dying minutes of the match.

The tournament organized by Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) is played under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) and officiated by Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA).

The NYC Trophy, perhaps one of the most uniquely sculpt trophies worldwide was instituted in the year 1993. Nineteen teams registered with Kuwait Indian Football Federation were in fray. Last edition of the trophy was won by DHL beating AVC 2-0 in the finals. Host Navelim have won the trophy maximum 6 times followed by G.O.A Maroons – 5 times.

Meanwhile, President Mario Carneiro of Navelim Youth Centre extended invitation to all member clubs, affiliates and football lovers to come and witness the grand finale on Friday.


Finalists:
Kuwait Goans Association
Martin Dias (goalkeeper), Teotonio Fernandes, Russel Rodrigues, Alex Goes, Jacob Dias, Remedious Fernandes, Vico D’Souza, Rummel Dias, Caridade D’Souza, Andre Dias, Jimmy Goveia, Zelito Cardozo, Lourenco Cardozo, Mario D’Souza, Andrew D’Souza, Concecao Rodrigues



A.V.C Overseas Association
Alvaro Dias, Joseph Quadros, Francis Fernandes, Peter Crasto, Niasso Martin, Edward Dias, Luciano D’Souza, Braulio Rodrigues, Ronny Fernandes, Vicky Bob, Kevin Vaz, Leroy Rodrigues, Savio Fernandes, Liston Raju, Nicolas Fernandes, Basher Bepari, Custodio, Milagres Barretto

Following clubs have won the Trophy since 1999-2000:

1999-2000 - Navelim Y. Centre
2000-01 - Colva United
2001-02 - Colva United
2002-03 - Navelim Y. Centre
2003-04 - Bombay Boys
2004-05 - Curtorcares United
2005 - 06 - GOA Maroons
2006 – 07 - DHL Kuwait
2007 – 08 - ??????