The KIFF league for the Late J.P. D’Mello Memorial Rolling Trophy for season 2014-2015 reaches the half way stage, with the fifth round being held on 14th November 2014 at Bayan grounds. Santos United, AVC – Kuwait and Don Bosco Oratory registered convincing wins to move ahead in their respective groups.
The early kick off was between Santos United and Kuwait Goan Association in a group ‘C’ clash. Santos United dominated the game and went ahead through their veteran medio Tiago. Godwin of Santos played a stellar role in the midfield complimenting his strikers, but KGA defenders did not allow their defense to be breached further. The second half saw Santos United building up intense pressure and scored again through Francis Xavier. KGA tried in vain to reduce the margin in the latter stages of the match, but Santos United goalkeeper stood firm between the sticks and played the game out to win the match 2-0 in their favor. Man of the Match was awarded to Godwin of Santos for his tireless efforts and given away by Ms. Carol Chapman of US Army.
The second match of the day saw defending Champions AVC – Kuwait taking on former Champions Navelim Youth Center in an all important group ‘A’ encounter. AVC – Kuwait attacked the opponents from the onset and from a resultant free kick Peter headed in to put AVC ahead. Navelim relied on long ball play and almost equalized but Martin under AVC bar pulled off spectacular saves to deny Navelim. AVC could have increased their tally, but lacked the final killer punch due to the absence of their star striker Anthony and Navelim defenders pulling off goal line saves to keep the score at the minimum. The second half was almost reminiscent of the first one with Navelim tiring out and AVC – Kuwait content on seeing the match ending in their favor 1-0. Goalkeeper Martin of AVC – Kuwait was rightly declared the Man of the Match which was handed over by Mr. Lawrence Pinto, President of YRC Rising Stars.
The final game of the day was between Don Bosco Oratory and Soccer Kerala in a group ‘ B’ clash. Both the teams played attacking soccer from the start. Don Bosco took the lead deservingly through Llyod from a well taken free kick which beat the Soccer Kerala shot stopper. The second half saw Soccer Kerala mounting pressure on DBO for the elusive equalizer, but DBO defense held firm to end the match as winners by 1-0 margin. Llyod Marcarenhas of Don Bosco Oratory was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all round performance and the award was given away by Mr. Manuel D’Costa, ex KIFF President and UG member.
All the matches were officiated by IFRA with Julio, Francis, Pascaol, Jan, Mubarak and Sarto conducting the proceedings for the day with perfection.
The Schedule for 21st November 2014:
Curtorcares United v/s GOA Maroons @ 6.30am. Skynet Raiders v/s DHL FC @ 7.40am. YRC Rising Stars v/s FC Sparx @8.50am