AVC Sports & Cultural Association crowned a perfect season by winning the J.P. D’Mello Memorial Rolling Trophy in the finals of the KIFF League by narrowly beating Malabar United 6-4 in the tie breaker after the teams were locked in a 2-2 draw at the end of regular and extra time. The grand league final was played at the Al-Qadsia Stadium on Friday, 30th May 2014 under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation and officiated by the Indian Football Referees Association.

The match watched by a large weekend crowd began in earnest with Malabar United showing just why they made it to the final with Shafi scoring of a lazy AVC clearance to put his team in the lead with just 2 minutes on the clock. Season champions, AVC shocked by the early setback and seasoned campaigners that they are, however came back into the match just before half time when their prolific scorer Anthony Rodrigues squeezed one in from a goalmouth melee.

The second half was a seesaw battle with both teams missing opportunities due to poor finishing but it was Malabar United who once again took the lead through Younis in the 20th minute and putting their large contingent of supporters in celebration mood. AVC tried hard for the equalizer and although the Malabar boys defended well and it looked like they would be inscribing their name on the prestigious trophy for the very first time, Sidney equalized for AVC with an exquisite volley from just outside the penalty area to level the scores 2-2. Extra time remained goalless and in the tiebreaker AVC players held their nerves with Ismael, Sebyton, Braulio and Sidney scoring while only Younis and Fiju could find the net for Malabar United.

Earlier, watched by their parents and hordes of young supporters, Indian Central School (Abbasyia) and Indian Public School (Salmiya) played an exhibition match which was easily won by the Salmiya School 6-1. Jhaankar Dance Academy performed and entertained during the half time break and a bingo game was conducted for the super snowball prize a Kuwait-Mumbai return air-ticket sponsored by Al-Qattan Travels.

The KIFF League final was sponsored by Gulf Cable and Electrical Industries Company and represented by Mr. Naser Omran Kannan the Regional Manager. Also present were Mr. J. S. Dangi representing the Indian Embassy of Kuwait, Mr. Asif Juzer of Pro Sports, Mr. Abdulrahman Al Muraikhi of Gulf Cable and special invitee Brandon Fernandes the youth soccer icon from India. In his brief address KIFF president Fidelis Fernandes thanked the invitees, the participating teams, IFRA and everyone who helped to make the season a success. The schools individual runners-up medals were presented by Salvador Dias the runners-up trophy by KIFF Vice President Derrick Gomendes, the winners individual medals were given away by Dominic while KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes gave away the winner’s trophy to the captain of Indian Public School Salmiya. The IFRA officials for the exhibition match Simon Anthony, Jose Afonso, and liston Raju also received mementos from KIFF member Joseph Gomes.

Mrs. Rausat Asif kindly consented to give away the mementos to the participants of Jhaankar Dance Academy who had earlier performed a wonderfully choreographed dance during the half time. Agnelo the General Secretary of KIFF gave mementos to IFRA officials Francis Fernandes, Sarto Baptista, Tiago Fernandes and Jan Rodrigues, and AVC who were also crowned the season’s champions for having won the most tournaments received the trophy from the hands of chief guest Mr. J. S. Dangi of the Indian Embassy. Sydney of AVC was rightly declared the man of the match and received his trophy from Brandon Fernandes while Mr. Abdulrahman Al Muraikhi of Gulf Cable handed out the runners up individual trophies to the players of Malbar United. The Fair play trophy was won by Indian Strikers and given away by Joe Pereira the KIFF Registrar while the KIFF League runners up trophy was given away by Derrick Gomendes. KIFF president also gave mementos to Bernard Fernandes and Xavier Furtado for their great support to KIFF during the season.

Mr. Naser Omran Kanan gave away the winners individual trophies and KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes and Brandon Fernandes gave away the KIFF League winners and rolling trophies amidst great celebration among the AVC players and supporters. The program was compered by Julio Cardoso.

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