BIDDING GOODBYE TO NICOLAS FERNANDES

Nicolas Fernandes (Nikush)

Parting is such sweet sorrow….. These are famous words that come to my mind as we say goodbye to one of the nicest, humblest and gentlest person I know.

Nicolas Fernandes (Nikush as he is fondly known) the most likable member of Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) and a member of KIFF affiliate AVC Sports & Cultural Association will be leaving Kuwait shortly for greener pastures. 

Hailing from Acona (Axeona) ward in the famous village of Benaulim where many a great footballers have been nurtured, Nicolas now 40 arrived in Kuwait in 2003 and since then has been working  faithfully for the same company, Alghanim Al-Faham as a senior storekeeper.  He was introduced to soccer in Kuwait immediately upon arrival and joined AVC Sports & Cultural Association as a goalkeeper, although while speaking to him I understood that he originally played as a striker for his village team until a knee injury forced him to take up goalkeeping.

Farewell Dinner at Viva Goa

Over the years his contribution to AVC has been immense, not only as a player but as a mentor and advisor to younger players.  If today, AVC stands at the pinnacle of its glory having captured everything this season; Nicolas’s contribution has certainly been a great part of it.

Nicolas joined IFRA in 2010 and says his interest in joining the only recognized referees body in Kuwait was fueled when he realized that he could contribute to the game by doing a job which most people are afraid to take. Since then he has been a regular at the KIFF, KEFAK and KAFA tournaments organized in Kuwait by various communities.

Nicolas (center) IFRA official

At a dinner party hosted by IFRA on 15^th April 2014 in his honor at the Viva Goa restaurant in downtown Kuwait, the President Francis Fernandes and others including founder member Jennifer Rodrigues, senior member Diego Rebello, General Secretary Christopher Fernandes and Sarto Baptista   paid glowing tributes to Nicolas.  Francis called him the best performer and complimented him for his ability to implement the laws of the game fairly on the ground.  Jennifer felt that Nicolas was the most dedicated member and for him IFRA came first and everything else after that.  Diego complimented him for always scoring over 90% in exams and said he was an example to all.  Christopher thanked him for being available even at the 11^th hour when other referees were not available.

With AVC since 2004

Nicolas may not have been the most flamboyant person on the soccer field either while officiating or pulling off those important saves for AVC, but he got the job done and that is why I personally admire him and felt that he deserved all the praise and for sure this small write-up.  He goes back to Goa to spend some time with his wife and 2 sons before embarking on the next part of his journey in life.   For sure this fine gentleman who was liked by everyone will be missed and I wish him all the best in his future. 

Julio Cardoso

Kuwait

Traditional Goan Fish Curry Rice was on the menu at Viva Goa

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Friends Nikush will miss

Nikush making an emotional farewell speech

Signed Jersey by all members

With V. President & Gen. Secretary

With members Jennifer & Diego 

With Sarto Baptista, Christopher and President Francis Fernandes

G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY - Week 2

SKYNET RAIDERS, DBO AND YRC RISING STARS WIN

Skynet Raiders, Don Bosco Oratory and YRC Rising Stars were through to the next round after squeezing in wins in the first round of the GOA Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas Association on Friday at MOH grounds under the auspices of KIFF.

In easily the match of the day, Goa Maroons woeful season continued when they were beaten by a youthful Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) in a five goal thriller.  Maroons started the match positively when   Steven Rodrigues easily one of the best players on the field scored in the 4^th minute of the first half from a free kick taken by Edward.  Godfrey equalized in the second half for DBO when the Maroons defense failed to clear from a corner kick.  Extra time witnessed high drama as Nikhil D’Souza slit one past Anton in the Maroons goal and Steven Rodrigues equalized immediately after that with an exquisite free kick from the edge of the penalty area giving DBO goalkeeper Alidio absolutely no chance.  Aston Fernandes who came in as a super sub however broke the hearts of Goa Maroons supporters when he was in the right spot in the dying moments of extra time to jab in from close range in a goalmouth melee, giving his team a well deserved 3-2 victory.   IFRA referee Francis Fernandes did an excellent job in the center and he was assisted by Sarto Baptista and Tiago Fernandes on the lines.

DON BOSCO ORATORY

GOA MAROONS

 

Earlier, the fragile but artful striker of Skynet Raiders Joe Gomes who fashions himself like his  idol Nymar of Brazil, scored in the 10^th minute of the second half to give his team a hard fought 1-0 victory against unlucky FC Sparz.  The match was evenly played with Sparz creating some early chances, but the lack of attempts at goal and playing one pass too many was their undoing.  The centre referee was Pascoal Fernandes and he was assisted by Lloyd D’Souza and Sarto Baptista on the lines.

SKYNET RAIDERS

FC SPARZ

In the last match of the day YRC Rising Stars edged Real Betalbatim FC 1-0.  Ever dependable charismatic Bernardo Pires struck in the 15^th minute of the first half after dodging his way past two defenders and smashing one past the outstretched hands of the RBFC goalkeeper.  The match was officiated by Tiago Fernandes.

YRC RISING STARS

REAL BETALBATIM FC

There will be no matches played this coming Friday, and the tournament will continue on 25/4/2014 with AVC Sports & Cultural Association playing Kuwait Goan Association at 6:45am, followed by Kerala Challengers taking on Curtorcares United and 8:00am and the last match of the day will feature the first quarter final between Santos United and United Goans Centre.

Report & Pics by: Julio Cardoso (Kuwait)

G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY

G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY

UGC, SANTOS UNITED AND UFC WIN

United Goans Centre, Santos United and United Friends Club were through to the next round after winning hard fought encounters in the first round of the GOA Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas Association on Friday at MOH grounds under the auspices of KIFF.

Goalkeeping errors were the talking point of the day and in the first match, Kuwait’s oldest Goan soccer club, United Goans Centre shocked Indian Strikers 2-1 when Dominic Fernandes headed home from close range from an exquisite cross by veteran Jerry Mello in the 18^th minute and Alfred’s feeble attempt on the Indian Strikers goal ended in the back of the net due to a communication error between the keeper and defenders of Indian Strikers.  Hard working Noushad Abu Baker reduced the margin for Indian Strikers in the 65^th minute, but United Goans defended well to absorb all the pressure in the dying minutes from Indian Strikers and emerge victorious.  The match was officiated by IFRA official Julio Cardoso with assistance from Christopher and Simon.

United Goans Centre won 2-1

Santos United who have played some exciting soccer towards the end of this season, were down a goal against DHL FC in the 24^th minute when Cruz Silva’s smashing drive found the back of the net and it seemed like DHL would cause a major upset.  However, super sub, James Rebello equalized for Santos United in the 64^th minutes when the UFC goalkeeper fumbled and dropped the ball and Anthony Rego scored from an acute angle in the dying minutes of extra time to earn Santos United a hard fought victory.  Pascoal was the centre referee and assisted by Sharma and Christopher on the lines.

Santos United won 2-1 in extra time

In the day’s last match of this prestigious tournament now in it’s 20^th edition, United Friends Club (UFC) finally played to their potential when they edged Malabar United 1-0.  Duarte Ferrao, Prince and Shehin were the stars for UFC, but it was Mauricio Simoes who turned hero of the day when he scored the all important goal for his team in the 22^nd minute.   The Malabar boys had their chances but were unfortunate not to convert.  The match was officiated by Sarto Baptista with Francis and Simon on the lines.

United Friends Club winners 1-0

Next week will see some exciting matches with  FC Sparx taking on Skynet Raiders at 6:45am, Don Bosco Oratory play Goa Maroons at 8:00am and Real Betalbatim FC play YRC Rising Stars at 9:15am.  All teams are requested to report on time.

Report & pics  by: Julio Cardoso