G.O.A Rolling Trophy First Round day 1

G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY

UNITED FRIENDS CLUB PROVE SUPERIOR IN OPENER

The opening match of the 18^th edition of the G.O.A Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas Association (Goa Maroons) under the auspices of KIFF and sponsored by Bassem International Trading Company, was   held on last Friday at the MOH Ground (Shuwaikh) and a strong United Friends Club (UFC) overcame a new look Rising Stars 4-0, who put up a spirited fight but were finally no match for their more fancied rivals.

The final result however does not reflect the actual action on the field with Rising Stars boasting of a few new and youthful recruits making the initial attempts on the UFC goal and goalkeeper Martin had to use all his experience in keeping a clean slate.  But it was against the run of play that Seby Mascarenhas of UFC put his team in the front by scoring a fine goal to end the first half 1-0 in favor of UFC.

In the second half, the inexperience of the Rising Stars players showed and UFC sealed their place for the second round with goals from Manual DÇosta, Abdulla Ziaueen and Hemmanth Mohan, the last two goals coming in the dying minutes of the game.

Earlier before the start of the match, the chief guest Charles D’Sa the Managing Director of Bassem International Trading Company was welcomed with a bouquet of flowers and  introduced to the players  by G.O.A President Raymond D’Sa, along with KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes and  other Club representatives.

A total of 19 teams participating in this prestigious tournament have been clubbed into two groups with last year’s champions Goa Maroons and Runners Up Navelim Youth Centre seeded in Group A and B respectively.  Teams in Group A are: Gulf Cable FC, Don Bosco Oratory, Indian Strikers FC, Real Betalbatim FC, Skynet Raiders SC, Kuwait Goan Association, C.R.C Chinchinim, FC Sparx, Santos United and Goa Maroons.  Group B is made up of: Curtorcares United, AVC Sports & C.A, Rising Stars, United Friends Club, DHL F.C, Santos FC, United Goans Centre, Malabar United FC and Navelim Youth Centre.

Coming  Friday, 20^th April 2012, there will be two matches only from group A with Indian Strikers taking on Real Betalbatim F.C at 6:30am followed by Kuwait Goan Association playing C.R.C Chinchinim at 8:00am

Julio Cardoso

Kuwait