‘Goan Football League’ (GFL) had exciting matches played on 23rd August in the 7-aside football league being played at Daiya Grounds.
Miracles SC, Holy Spirit - Margao, and St. Rita – Maina coasted to smooth victories in Group A while CRC Chinchinim, and St. Christopher FC won in Group B.
Goa Strikers versus Amingos Jardine was the only match to end goalless.
SIDHARTH HATRICKS
Miracles’ young captain Sidharth Sudhaker scored a power-packed hatrick against a depleted Navelim Stars crippled by injuries to key players.
Philip, Durvesh and super-sub Nigel were also on the scoresheet for Miracles to hammer the stars where Navelim goalkeeper Britto Pereira remained a mere shooting target.
Siddharth was rightly judged man of the match.
Navelim remain bottom of the pool with just a point to their name.
HOLY SPIRIT IN FLYING FORM
Richard scored for Holy Spirit with Gaurish of Capxem Boys scoring a self-goal to hand over 3 points to the winners.
Holy Spirit’s Ajay Satarkar was adjudged man of the match.
ST. RITA CLINCH 3 POINTS
In the other match in Group A, St. Rita scored a lone goal to clinch 3 vital points from Pasha Boys.
Striker Josse scored the winner.
Veteran goalkeeper Martin Dias of St. Rita was awarded man of the match.
GROUP B ENCOUNTERS
First match in Group A between Goa Strikers and Amigos de Jardine was a goalless stalemate. Both teams relied heavily on counter attacks but could not find a winner.
Sandy Fernandes of Goa Strikers won the man of the match award.
In another match, St. Christopher scored an impressive 3-1 victory over Le Blues.
Cleto, Martino and star striker Prajot scored for the winners. Elton pulled one back for Le Blues.
Martin Gomes of St. Christopher was adjudged man of the match.
Last match of Ground B saw CRC Chinchinim scoring a 2-0 victory over Dynamos FC.
Gladston and William scored a goal each for the winners.
Chinchinim’s Leslie Alemao was awarded the man of the match.
GOA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
The innovative idea of the league has been conceptualized by Manuel D’ Costa and Austine Abreo.
Indian Football has been prevalent in Kuwait for nearly half a century now, but this is probably the first time in history that an association has come forward to organize a league for Goans.
THE ORGANIZERS
Core Committee of GFAK consists of Manuel D’Costa, Austine Abreo, Melvin Fernandes, Agricio D’Mello, Salvador Dias, Cajetan Fernandes, Marshall Fernandes, Carlos Fernandes, etc.
The league promises to bring Goans together in Kuwait although the weather may not be too promising for competitive football or attract spectators with summer temperatures in Kuwait touching the 60°C mark.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
Although most Goan players are already involved in playing under Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) which has been pioneering Indian football over the years, the GFAK provides added opportunities for more Goans to play within the arena.
The participating teams in the league are as follows:
GROUP A
St. Rita’s - Maina
Holy Spirit – Margao
Miracles SC
Pasha Boys, Bardez
Navelim Stars
Capxem Boys
GROUP B
CRC Chinchinim
Goa Strikers
St. Christopher FC
Dynamos FC
Le Blues
Amingos de Jardine
NEXT FRIDAY FIXTURES
GROUND A
St. Rita Maina vs Miracles SC – 6.30 am
Pasha Boys vs Holy Spirit – 7.10 am
Navelim Stars vs Capxem Boys – 7.40 am
GROUND B
CRC Chinchinim vs St. Christopher
Dynamos vs Goa Strikers
Le Blues vs Amigos de Jardine