DON BOSCO ORATORY CHAMPIONS

G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY

DON BOSCO ORATORY CHAMPIONS

Nikhil and Agnelo score hat-tricks

DBO Captain Godfrey  Aguiar receiving the winners trophy from chief guest Ajay Sinha - Country Manager of AIR INDIA - Kuwait 

Don Bosco Oratory were crowned proud champions of the  G.O.A. Rolling Trophy when they beat AVC Sports & Cultural Association 7-1 in a largely one sided match in the finals of this  prestigious tournament organized by Goan Overseas Association (Kuwait) and played at the MOH grounds under the auspices of KIFF.

 

Champions Don Bosco Oratory with guests

Don Bosco Oratory who had only the previous week lost narrowly to AVC in the semi finals of the KIFF League, showed just why they are one of the most feared teams among the Indian Community when they took complete control of the match right from the start.  Man of the match and the tournament’s highest scorer young Nikhil D’souza opened Don Bosco’s account when he found himself in the right place to slot home from close range in a goalmouth melee.  He soon added to his tally and Don Bosco Oratory went into the lemon break comfortably leading 2-0.

Hard working Sidney of AVC however gave a tiny glimmer of hope to his team and supporters when he scored off  a direct free kick from just outside the penalty area and it seemed that AVC could still make a game of it.  Nikhil however had other ideas and completed his hat-trick after going past two AVC defenders.  Agnelo another young and talented Don Bosco lad than took control and ably supported by Loyed, Michael and Steven scored three more past the hapless AVC defense.  Nikhil though had the final say when in the dying moments he scored his fourth to completely whitewash the opponents.  The match was ably officiated by IFRA officials Sarto Baptista in the centre with support of Jan Rodrigues and Pascoal Fernandes on the lines.

In his welcome address after the final whistle, G.O.A President Raymond D’Sa welcomed the chief guest Mr. Ajay Sinha the Country Manager of Air India in Kuwait and thanked Air-India for sponsoring a Kuwait-Goa return air ticket for the tournament.  He also thanked KIFF President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes and his Managing Committee, IFRA, and all the participating teams for their support in making the tournament a grand success.  He had a special word of appreciation for Mr. Gasper Almeida of Goa Word.com, IndiansinKuwait and the print media including Mr. Francis Fernandes of Arab Times for the press publicity.

Mr. Ajay Sinha in his brief speech thanked the organizers for inviting him and said he would always support the community in the best way he could.  A special service award was presented to Mr. Leo Fernandes, a long serving member of Goan Overseas Association for his contribution to the Association.

Leo Fernandes receives service award from GOA President Raymond Dsa

Jaime Figueira the treasurer of GOA gives away the referee awards

The referee awards were given away by James Figuera, and the runners trophies by Tony Correia.  Mrs. Zinia Cardoso gave away the Runners Up trophy to Kevin Vaz the captain of AVC, while Raymond D’Sa and Ajay Sinha gave the winners individual trophies and the winners’ cup to Godfrey Aguiar the captain of Don Bosco.   KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes gave away the Man of the Match award to Nikhil D’souza who also won the tournament’s highest scorer award which was handed over to him by Leo Fernandes.  Julio Cardoso who hosted the presentation ceremony proposed the vote of thanks.

Report by: Julio Cardoso
Pics credit: Sasha D'souza / Julio Cardoso

Mrs. Zinia Cardoso giving away the Runners Up trophy to Kevin Vaz of AVC

Vice President of G.O.A giving away the runners up individual trophies

Man of the match - Nikhil D'Souza receives his award from KIFF president Fidelis Fernandes

AVC, DBO, UFC AND SANTOS UNITED IN SEMIS

G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY

AVC, DBO, UFC AND SANTOS UNITED IN SEMIS

In quarter final matches played last Friday, Don Bosco Oratory, AVC and UFC booked their places in the semi finals to join Santos United who had already qualified a week earlier in the prestigious GOA Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas Association (Kuwait) and played at the MOH grounds under the auspices of KIFF.

Santos United in Semi after beating UGC in the quarters

In the first quarter final, United Friends Club (UFC) with a host of talented players finally came good when they beat Skynet Raiders 1-0.  The first half was evenly played with Joe Gomes of Skynet Raiders coming close to scoring in the 26^th minute when his goalmouth strike sailed just over the bar.  Duarte Ferrao of UFC however scored the all important goal in the 28^th minute when his neatly taken free kick sailed over the Skynet wall and into the goal.  Skynet Raiders made all efforts to equalize in the second half with the last fifteen minutes being completed dominated by them, but UFC held on,  with veteran Britto pulling of a brilliant save to deny Skynet Raiders the equalizer.  IFRA official Sarto Baptista was the centre referee and supported by Tiago and Pascoal on the lines.

UFC to play Don Bosco Oratory in the semis

In the second quarter final, Don Bosco Oratory easily defeated YRC Rising Stars 5-1 in a match they completely dominated right from the beginning.  Ronnie opened the flood gates when he tapped in a cross in the 11^th minute and Nikhil was in the right place to score in the 19^th and 22^nd minute of the first half.  Franky Oliveria’s long distance goal and Steven Correa’s goal n the dying minutes of the game ensured Don Bosco passage into the semis against United Friends Club as strong favorites.  Godwin Fernandes who came in as a super sub pulled one back for Rising Stars in the second half.  The match was officiated by Tiago Fernandes with support from Simon and Francis on the lines.

Favorites Don Bosco Oratory

In the last match of the day, Curtorcares who have played some exciting soccer this season were again unfortunate to lose to AVC the season’s champions 0-1.  The first half was evenly balanced with the ball mostly confined to midfield play.  Agnelo Martin of AVC who has been the player to watch this season however ensured his team qualified for the semis when he connected well from a cross and end the season’s campaign for Curtorcares.  Pascoal Fernandes was the centre referee and assisted by Simon and Tiago on the lines.

Season's Champions will play Santos United in the semi finals

Earlier last week, Santos United became the first team to qualify for the semi finals when they easily beat United Goans Centre 2-0, with both goals scored in the first half by Seby Fernandes and Anthony Rego.

Coming Friday, 9^th May 2014 AVC will play Santos United at 6:45am in the first semi final and Don Bosco Oratory will play United Friends Club at 8:45am in the second one.

Report & pics by Julio Cardoso