Kuwait Indian Football League
AVC PLUNDER SANTOS UNITED 4-1
SOCCER KERALA BEAT NAVELIM 3-2: KUWAIT INDIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Report by Gasper Crasto
Kuwait: AVC and Soccer Kerala had impressive victories in their campaign for JP D’Mello KIFF League in matches played at Bayan Grounds Friday 16th October 2015.
While AVC showed great showmanship in beating Santos United 4-1, Soccer Kerala beat 7-time League winners Navelim 3-2.
Curtorcares United and Skynet-Miracles too won their first round matches.
KIFF LEAGUE PARTICIPATING TEAMS
Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) League, perhaps the only overseas Indian league, consists of 16 teams divided into 2 groups playing in a round-robin league. Top 4 teams from each group will qualify for the knockout phase of the league.
The participating clubs for the season are Goan Overseas Association, United Goans Centre, YRC Rising Stars, Navelim Youth Centre, Curtorcares United, Kuwait Goans Association-Nagoa Verna, FC Sparx, Indian Strikers FC, DHL Football Club, AVC Overseas Sports and Cultural Association, Skynet-Miracles SC, Santos United, Don Bosco Oratory, Malabar United FC, Soccer Kerala and Kerala Challengers.
KIFF matches for the season are being officiated by KIFF referees.
CURTORCARES BEAT KERALA CHALLENGERS 1-0.
The match between the Goan and Kerala outfits was played at a fast pace all throughout with some great attempts at either ends. Kerala were reduced to 10 men after Ben Christi was shown a second yellow by referee John Furtado who was in superb control of the match.
Vincy Carvalho scored the match-winner in injury time to earn full points for Curtorcares. John Moraes of Curtorcares was awarded Man of the Match. Ex-KIFF President Manuel D'Costa presented the award.
FASIL KUNNAN HATTRICKS FOR AVC
AVC got underway coasting to an easy victory over Santos United who were never allowed to settle down. AVC strike force, consisting of Anthony Rodrigues and Selvyn with winger Fasil Kunnan, is one of the finest seen so far in the league. AVC created several chances as Fasil went on a rampaging run down the left and scored 2 brilliant goals within a space of minutes before completing his hattrick off a penalty kick.
Stopper back Joseph Quadros scored the other goal for AVC.
AVC led 4-0 at halftime and were threatening to double the lead. However, some timely changes by coach-cum-player Jerry Mello and some excellent midfield control by stalwart Seby Dias saw Curtorcares pull one back through an excellent long range shot by Agnelo Fernandes that beat goalkeeper Martin under AVC bar hands down.
Rosario was the centre ref for the match, he produced yellow card to Fasil Kunnan, arguably the best player on the field. Fasil was presented with Man-of-the-Match award at the hands of Mr. Fidelis Fernandes, another well-known ex-President of KIFF.
YRC RISING STAR V/S SKYNET-MIRACLES (0-1)
Last season’s runners-up YRC Rising Stars were rued to lose points after missing a penalty to equal Skynet-Miracles’ goal scored by Rafeeq Mohd. Young Cheslee D’Souza entrusted with the penalty-kick surprisingly shot wide.
Agnelo officiated the match, he gave yellow cards to Rising’s Neves Carvalho and Skynet’s Nilesh Parwar.
Rafeeq M was adjudged Man-of-the-Match, awarded at the hands of Mr. Caje Fernandes, President of Skynet-Miracles Club.
SOCCER KERALA V/S NAVELIM 3-2
Soccer Kerala sponsored by Shifa Al Jazeera scored an impressive 3-2 victory in their first match of the season. Navelim salvaged some pride after being down 0-3 in the first half. Soccer Kerala were excellent making most of their moves from the left wing through their star player Jineesh Kuttappu who dazzled throughout the match with his ball control and superb skills.
James, Jineesh and Sahil scored for the winners while Diago Dias scored 2 quick goals for Navelim and almost drew level missing a third.
Jinesh was later awarded Man-of-the-Match at the hands of Mr. Xavier Furtado, President AVC / Vice-President of KIFF.
Victor Andrade who officiated the match served yellow cards to Sajesh (Soccer Kerala) and Simao of Navelim.
KIFF League Fixtures for 23rd October 2015; Venue: Bayan Grounds
6.45am: FC Sparx v/s KGA-Nagoa Verna
8.00am: Don Bosco Oratory v/s United Goans Centre
9.00am: DHL v/s Indian Strikers (Kerala)
10.00am: GOA Maroons v/s Malabar United (Kerala)
