KIFF SEASON STARTS WITH A BANG

KIFF SEASON STARTS. SANTOS UNITED & SKYNET WIN. AVC, MALABAR, CURTORCARES AND SPARX SHARE SPOILS IN OPENING FIXTURES OF THE KIFF LEAGUE AT KAZEMA STADUIM IN ADELIYA

Opening Ceremony - teams entering the field

The eagerly anticipated and most watched Indian Expatriate soccer season 2013/2014 in Kuwait got underway on 13^th September 2013 at the Al Kazma grounds with the start of the KIFF League for the Late J.P. D’Mello Memorial Rolling trophy. 4 games were held on the 1^st day at the sprawling Al Kazema stadium in Adeliya. The proceedings started with the introduction of the teams with the KIFF President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes leading the Club Presidents, KIFF MC members and IFRA members on to the field of play. National anthems of Kuwait and India were played at the onset. Hon. Rev Father Franco Fernandes invoked the Blessings of The Almighty and advised the affiliates and KIFF MC to carry out the KIFF activities in a fair and responsible manner. KIFF President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes in his speech thanked IFRA for their support and the ground authorities for providing the grounds and also the affiliates and his managing committee members for working tirelessly to ensure the season start as per schedule. He also thanked the sponsors United Steel Industrial Company for the Man of the Match awards. A ceremonial cake was cut to mark the 30^th Anniversary of the Federation and the start of the new season.

Opening Ceremony

KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes along with other club presidents cutting the inaugural cake

IFRA Officials with Rev. Fr. Franco Fernandes who was on hand to give his blessings 

After the opening proceedings and amidst rising temps the real action got underway. AVC – Kuwait and Malabar United started the match on ground ‘A’ which was a hotly contested affair with Malabar dominating the opening proceedings. Malabar took the lead through Younus in the first half. AVC equalized through Anurag Thapa in the second half. In the dying minutes of the second half Malabar almost scored, but AVC’s coach and the most experienced goalkeeper Alvaro Dias made stirring saves to keep the score level at 1-1 and was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match and the award was handed over by John Furtado, President of AVC – Kuwait. On ground ‘B’ Santos United kicked off against DHL FC. Santos United took an early lead through Domnick, but DHL equalized through Aivey. Once again Santos United were put in front by Anthony and then went on a rampage to score another three goals through Manuel, Peter and Marcelino thus finishing the match 5-1. Veteran midfield maestro Tiago of Santos United marshaled the entire game to earn his side an overwhelming win and was awarded the Man of the Match which was handed over by Tony Corriea of GOA Maroons. 

AVC Sports & Cultural Associaition drew 1-1 with Malabar United

DHL Football Club lost 1-5 to Santos United

KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes addressing the teams

Malabar United

Santos United F.C

The 3^rd match was between Skynet Raiders and Indian Strikers on ground ’A’.  Skynet Raiders started with a positive rhythm and went into an early lead through Jr.Joe and Simao increased the tally for Skynet. Haris reduced the margin for Indian Strikers, but Arif scored the third for Skynet to end the match 3-1 to give his side the win. Prakash of Skynet Raiders was awarded the Man of the Match for his brilliant midfield play and handed over by B.M. Viegas ex President of KIFF. The 4^th match kicked off between Curtorcares United and Sparx FC on ground ‘B’. The young guns of Sparx as usual started the match in a whirlwind speed but it was Curtorcares who opened the scoring through Gomes, however Sparx stormed back into the match and equalized through Ahmed Ali. Both sides settled for a well earned draw. Ahmed Ali the live wire of Sparx bagged the Man of the Match award handed over by Vinay Kumar the President of Kerala Challengers.

Man of the Match - Ahmed Ali of Sparx

Man of the match - Alvaro Dias of AVC

Man of the Match - Prakash of Skynet Raiders

Man of the match - Tiago of Santos United

The matches were supervised by IFRA officials. The proceedings were ably conducted by Bernard Fernandes and Kevin Vaz with professional ace lens man Revon Gomes capturing the moments on camera.

Curtorcares United

Skynet Raiders won 3-1 against Indian Strikers

Indian Strikers

Sparx 

Man of the Match awards are sponsored by United Steel Industrial Company.

The match schedule for 20^th September 2013 to be played at Kazma grounds is as follows:

At 6.45 am Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) v/s Kerala Challengers on Ground ‘A’ and Real Betalbatim FC (RBFC) v/s United Goans Club (UG) on Ground ‘B’

At 7.45 am United Friends Club (UFC) v/s GOA Maroons on ground ‘A’ and Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) v/s YRC Rising Stars (Rising Stars) v/s on Ground ‘B’

rEPORT BY: XAVIER FURTADO
PICS BY: REVON GOMES / JULIO CARDOSO