Kerela Challengers Clinch the 40th UGC Football Edition
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Kerela Challengers claims the prestigious 40th UGC Football Edition for the second time in a row. United Goans Centre completes a huge landmark by celebrating its presence in Kuwait for forty years and its 40th football tourney in front of a packed Bayan stadium. Since its inception in 1976, UGC had started the football league along with a knock out tournaments and three years later they changed solely to knock out tournaments to allow other clubs a chance to hold tourneys under the KIFF umbrella.
United Goans Centre was the first football tournament for Indian expatriates in Kuwait and is one of the only clubs that have lasted the test of time and have not changed its name from the start. United Goans Centre motto “friendship through sports” has been managed under the leadership of president Tony Alphonso along with the vice-president Agnelo Dcunha have been taking the club to new heights. To celebrate this huge milestone, UGC has also successfully conducted the second inter school childrens football tourney allowing the young generation a chance to showcase their skills. Father Domnic had inaguated the first football tournament in 1979 and although he could not make it this time, he had send his prayers and best wishes to UGC on the occasion of their 40th football Edition.
The inter school childrens final was played between United Indian School (UIS) and Indian Central School (ICS). Both teams put on a great show but UIS triumphed by a single goal from Nikhil. The chief guest for the day was Mr.Hakim who is the CEO of Al Amaz shipping company.
The sun shone radiantly for the main event as both Goa Maroons and Kerala Challengers were vying to take home the trophy and the iconic title of Winners of the 40th UGC football Edition. Goa Maroons had their eyes on the prize while the Kerala Challengers having won the trophy last year looked to continue their winning streak. Both teams played at more than 100% level, but there could only be one winner on that day. In the first half we saw the determination and passion from both sides to find the opening goal. Kerela Challengers had to come from a goal down to beat Goa Maroons and seal the game in penalties as extra time was not enough to separate both the teams.
The first half saw no goals, but Goa Maroons came close with Jeffrey by hitting the woodwork. The momentum was with Goa Maroons at this time and they were looking dangerous with more attacking play and were unlucky not to score.Kerela Challengers were forced to defend during this play and defended succesfully. Kerela Challengers were missing their ace striker Ben for this match. The second half saw a lot of action as both teams maintained an equal amount of possesion and Jagdesh and Abin of Kerela Challengers put in some fine crosses but they could not find the final finishing. Goa Maroons had a goal dissallowed in the second half as their attacker was in the offside position. Goa Maroons got the lead with a fine header from Steven Rodrigues. The KIFF referees – Robert, Victor,Sami and Rafi did a fantastic job refeering the match and when tempers flared Robert rightfully showed Biju and Gomes a red card for the brawl they were involved in. When Haris was substitued in the second half, he almost immediately made a positive effect for Kerela Challengers. With both teams ten men down, Goa Maroons looked to be in the driving seat but a lapse of concentration and a wrong positioning decision from their keeper squandered their lead in the last minute. A nice cross from Haris allowed Jamsheel to slot in his header to give Kerela Challengers the all important equalizer. Kerela Challengers comprehensively converted their spot kicks and deservedly took home the UGC trophy after a 4-2 penalty shootout win with Sajesh, Sanjil, Haris and Jagadeesh all scoring. Kerela Challengers keeper Mohammed made some fine saves to deny Goa Maroons penalty kickers.
After the match, the match balls was signed by the both the captains and was given as a souveginer to the founder members of United Goans Centre - Brigid Fernandes and Tony Gonsalves. The current UGC committee honored the old guard of UGC – Rosario Lawrence, Pascoal Alfonso, Brigido Fernandes and Tony Gonsalves who for the last forty years have been iconic for their hardwork and dedication behin the scenes. Tony Gonsalves was also honored by Carmo Santos and The Times for his contributions in establishing UGC and making football prominent in Kuwait for expatriates over the last forty years. Brigid Fernandes the star striker of UGC who was a nightmare for every goalkeeper has been helping the current UGC team management. Rosario Lawrence a very dedicated individual who was one of the best goal keepers continuously imparts his knowledge to the younger generation in training. Pascoal Alfonso, the former president of UGC has been a pillar of strength during the last few decades. The Best Discipline Team (in memory of late president Joe Fernandes) went to AVC Sports and Cultural Association. The Man of the match was Jamsheel for his crucial equalizer.
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