THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

NYC Trophy: Malabar Utd down DHL FC in tie-breaker

Malabar United FC, Kuwait

Malabar United FC, Kuwait

Malabar United FC continued their good fortune in the Gulf Custody Company sponsored 21st edition NYC Trophy played at M.O.H. Grounds (Kuwait), with a 5-4 tie-breaker victory over DHL FC in the quarter finals.

It was one of the toughest matches of the tournament between the two giants. Both teams played a open game creating a number of goal scoring chances. However, the game ended goalless and the tie-breaker was applied to decide the winner.

Malabar held a slight edge in the shootout with established goalkeeper Shaijal, who has been outstanding in the tournament so far, giving them the lead off the first kick taken by DHL’s Elvis Camelo. DHL substituted their goalkeeper Manoj midway into the tie with defender John Furtado but the latter never looked like he could save a penalty. Two of the kicks were within reach of John but he failed to stop them.

Noushad, Ismayel, Haridas, Riyas Babu and Sanad were on target for Malabar. The scorers for DHL were John Furtado, Seby Barboza, Lionel Fernandes and Anthony Vincent.

Malabar will take on Don Bosco Oratory in semis. Oratory won their quarter-final against FC Sparx by a solitary goal (1-0) scored by their star striker Michael Dias.

FC Sparx youngsters put up a strong fight with goalkeeper Gopi, Praveen Kumar, Mahin, Riyas Lathef, Adil, Savio Rodrigues, Ahmed Khan, Anwar Mazhar, Rajesh Gopal, Yazeel, and substitutes Quasi and Ali giving their best right till the end of the final whistle.

Don Bosco played a team game as always, supporting and encouraging each other. The team consisting of Alido, Alex Sequira, Conrad Pinto, Godfrey Aguiar, Peter Fernandes, Steven Correia, Michael, Alexandro Gomes, Roshan D’Souza, Roshan Dias, Vicky, and subs Chris Rodrigues and Anthony Rebello were magnificent throughout. They allowed no room for FC Sparx to dominate the game.

Earlier, AVC Overseas Association also moved into semi-finals beating United Friends Club 7-6 in the tie-breaker after the teams were level 1-1 at normal time.

It was United Friends who scored first through striker Hemanth Mohan. However, Francisco Rodrigues restored parity for AVC soon after.

In the tie-breaker, Kevin Vaz, Anthony Rodrigues, Savio, Milton Estrocio, Ronnie Fernandes, Braulio and Melvin made no mistake for AVC. Godwin Fernandes, Hemanth, Remedio Fernandes, Peter D’Costa, Abudi and Teotonio were the scorers for United Friends.

AVC roster that took the field consisted of Alvaro Dias, Vincy Pereira, Milton Estrocio, Luciano D’Souza, Braulio Rodrigues, Savio Fernandes, Anthony Rodrigues, Kevin Vaz, Melvin Fernandes, Molvito Mascarenhas (Captain), Francisco Rodrigues, Ronnie Fernandes and Liston Domnick.

In another quarter final encounter, United Goan Centre, popularly known as U.G Strikers coasted to an easy 2-0 victory over C.R.C Chinchinim. Agnelo Monteiro took the lead for U.G Strikers while Rosario Braganza scored the second goal. U.G president Mr. Pascoal Alphonso was ecstatic about the victory and said he was hoping to make it to the finals of the NYC Trophy in the Silver Jubilee year of Navelim Youth Centre.

The tournament consisting of 19 teams affiliated to Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F) is officiated by KIFF referees and sponsored by Kuwait’s Gulf Custody Company, one of the biggest fund custodians in the Middle-East.

There will be no matches on Good Friday. The semis will be played 13th April 2012 as follows: AVC Overseas Association vs United Goans Centre at 6.30 am; Malabar United vs KGA at 8.00 am.

(Written by Gasper Crasto)