DHL F. C clinched the All India Open 7 a side football tournament ‘’ BRIDGESTONE & CASTROL CUP 2014’’ organized by International organizers AVC - Kuwait on PAYS ground at Surra on 19th and 26th September 2014.
The football tournament was conducted on a league cum knock basis on two days with 24 teams taking part. The league phase was held on 19th September 2014 with 12 teams qualifying for the knock out phase.The qualifiers were Navelim Youth Center, GOA Maroons, Sparx FC, DHL FC, Soccer Kerala, Rising Stars, Don Bosco Oratory, Miracles F.C, Malabar United, Indian Strikers, Derefent Seven and hosts AVC-Kuwait. DHL FC and Indian Strikers moved in to the finals.
Earlier the guests Mr. B.M Viegas (KIFF President) Mr. Fidelis Fernandes (Ex KIFF President) Mr. Lawry Pinto (President – Y.R. Rising Stars) Mr. Glen D’Souza (AVC) Mr. Santano Fernandes (legendary veteran footballer in Kuwait) Mrs. Mira Fernandes(AVC) Mrs. Delaila Mendes (AVC) were introduced to both the teams by AVC’s Vice President Mr. Xavier Furtado.
Indian Strikers started the match on an aggressive note, but DHL held on due to some stellar defending by John of DHL. Jose of DHL scored the match winner in the second half when he looped the ball over the advancing Indian Strikers goalkeeper to seal the match and win the championship.
The winners and runners up were awarded trophies and cash prizes. Jose of DHL FC was declared the Best Player of the Finals. A special dedicated plaque was presented to legend Mr. Santano Fernandes who has graced the football grounds in the early years of Indian expatriate football in Kuwait. Mr. Santano is now on a short visit to Kuwait.
The tournament was professionally officiated by Liston Raju, Victor Andrade, Gasper Crasto, Britto, Robert Bernard, Jerry, Braulio, Melvy, Molvito, Zico, Seby and Luciano. The day’s proceedings were conducted by Bernard Fernandes and AVC’s own flamboyant Kevin Vaz.
The tournament was sponsored by Al Futooh International, Bridgestone & Castrol. Co sponsored by the famous Dawat Restaurants and powered by Bhasin Trading, Mr. B. M. Viegas and Mr. Peter Mendes.
AVC-Kuwait are the reigning KIFF Season Champions and KIFF League Champions. As of now they are the only Indian Expatriate Club to win all the trophies affiliated to the Kuwait Indian Football Federation in Kuwait. Recently they have been crowned Champions in Bahrain for the second time in the Young Goans Football tournament. Besides organizing local football tournaments in the State of Kuwait for Indian expatriates, AVC Kuwait have the unique distinction of organizing two All India open tournaments in the U.A.E.
AVC – Kuwait would like thank the sponsors, participating teams, ground authorities, referees, Mr. Bernard Fernandes, Mr. Derrick Gomendes, Mr. Augusto (photographer)Arab Times, Gasper Crasto of goaworld.com, indiansinkuwait, Mr. Fidelis Fernandes, Mr. Lawry Pinto, AVC members and players and all the football loving fans who thronged the stadium for making the tournament a grand success.