Kuwait: Kerala’s Malabar United win coveted NYC Trophy

By Gasper Almeida
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 03 May 2012: Kerala outfit Malabar United FC inscribed their name for the first time on the coveted NYC trophy with a 4-3 tie-breaker victory over AVC Overseas Association in the finals of the 21st edition NYC Trophy football tournament played at M.O.H Ground, Shuwaikh on 20th April 2012.

 

The grand 11-aside tournament sponsored by Kuwait’s Gulf Custody Company, one of the biggest fund custodians in the Middle-East, was organized by Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F).

 

 
NYC President cutting a cake to commemorate NYC’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations at the grand NYC Trophy Finals

 

AVC captain receiving the Runners-up Trophy

NYC President Agnello Fernandes and Vice President Luis D’Silva handing over NYC Trophy to Malabar United FC captain 

Both teams played exciting football and kept the spectators on tenterhooks till the end. Liyakat Ali put the Keralites ahead at the beginning of the second half with a stunning goal that left AVC goalkeeper rooted. However, with minutes remaining for the final hooter, Melwyn Fernandes restored parity for AVC which sent the teams into extra time. However, the tie-breaker was enforced after the teams finished 1-1.

 
Malabar United emerged victorious in the ensuing shootout 4-3 scoring through Haridasan Kancheri, Sulfi Palakkunumal, Riyas Babu Manniyil and Noushad Thenamkunnu.

 
The champions Malabar United FC comprised of Shaijal Ansari, Aswad Ali, Haridasan Kancheri, Abdul Muneer, Riyas Babu Manniyil, Noushad Thenamkunnu, Sanal Madakkudiyan, Nishad Ahmad Bilavinakath, Muhammed Shafi Malayil, Sulfi Palakkunummal, Binu Jose, Liyakath Ali Padika Mannil, Mohammed Mustafa, Muhammed Salih, Srajudheen Shaikh, Gibu Varghese, Abdul Kadar Natukkandy and Firose Babu Thozhakkattin.

 

Runners-up AVC team consisted of Alvaro Dias, Vincy Pereira, Milton Estrocio, Luciano D’Souza, Braulio Rodrigues, Ronnie Fernandes, Savio Fernandes, Kevin Vaz, Liston Domnic, Melwyn Fernandes, Romel Dias, Agnelo Colaco, Nikush Fernandes, Custodio Castana, Francis Rodrigues, Molvito Mascarenhas, Peter Crasto.

 

NYC’s Silver Jubilee Year Celebrations:

Earlier during the break, Navelim YC President Agnello A.S. Fernandes introduced the guests to the teams. Presidents of participating clubs were among dignitaries present on the ocassion. Navelim YC, celebrating 25 years of its existence in Kuwait, presented all the clubs with mementoes as a token of appreciation of friendship. A cake was cut to commemorate 25 glorious years of the club.

 

Over the years, Navelim Youth Centre has left no stone unturned in bringing the Indian community together in friendship.  Navelim has built a solid foundation of history, strength and success which has become synonymous with Indians, particularly Goans living in Kuwait. Speaking on the occasion Navelim President Agnello A.S. Fernandes stated that he was proud and privileged to be the part of this great milestone of the Club. He went on further to thank God  Almighty for his blessings; to older clubs than them for being NYC’s learning experience; to other clubs who joined them along the way for their support, to his managing committee and members for their untiring efforts, and most of all NYC’s well wishers for their patronage.

 

DJ Mario provided lively music between the breaks which kept the spectators charged. The moments were captured on camera by lensman Simon Dias, a professional cameraman. Gasper Crasto compered the function and later proposed a vote of thanks.

 

Awards and Prizes:

United Goans Centre was awarded with the prestigious Best Discipline Team award while the Navelim YC instituted NYC Icon Player Award was presented to Micdomio Rebello, ex-NYC player and current coach of under-19 Salgaocars, Goa. Micky, as he is fondly known, is a former Salgaocar SC player. After his playing career in Goa he came to Kuwait and played for Navelim for a number of years. After having done with playing, he secured his AFC coaching license in India and is presently into coaching back home in Goa.

 

Following other prizes were awarded:

Promising Player of the Tournament: Hussain Ali Khan (FC Sparx)
Top Scorer of the Tournament: Agnelo Monteiro (U.G Strikers)
Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Shaijal Ansari (Malabar United FC)
Best Defender of the Tournament: Haridasan Kancheri (Malabar United FC)
Best Mid-fielder of the Tournament: Sanal Madakkudiyan (Malabar United FC)
Man of the Match (Finals): Romel Dias (AVC Overseas Association)
Player of the Tournament: John Furtado (DHL FC)

 

Individual prizes for Winners, Runners-up and Referees were also awarded.  A ‘Lucky Spectator’ prize kept on the occasion was won by Ronni.

 

The tournament was sponsored by Gulf Custody Company and supported by Luis D’Silva, Raymond D’Sa, Eng. Rafi Hussain (PAPCO), Succor Colaco – Germany, Agostinho Dias –Goa, and Cruzedio Rodrigues.

 

The prizes were presented at the hands of Neeta Fernandes, Olinda Dias, Monalisa Fernandes, Eusebio Fernandes, Norman Noronha, Avelino Dias, Morris D’Costa, Tase Noronha, Britto Pereira, Cruzedio Rodrigues, Mario Carneiro and KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes.

 

The NYC Trophy was handed over to the winners by Luis D’Silva, Vice-President and one of the founder members of Navelim, and President Agnello Fernandes.

 

Participating Teams:

Nineteen teams affiliated to Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) contested for the coveted trophy instituted by Navelim Youth Centre in the year 1993. Hosts Navelim Youth Centre have won the trophy for a record 7 times since its inception while Goa Maroons have won the tournament 5 times.

 

The participating teams for this edition were AVC Overseas Association, C.R.C. Chinchinim, Curtorcares United, D.H.L. Sports Club, Don Bosco Oratory, FC Sparx, Goan Overseas Association, Gulf Cable Football Club, Indian Strikers, Kuwait Goan association, Malabar United Football Club, Navelim Youth Centre, Real Betalbatim Football Club, Santos Football Club, Santos United, Skynet Raiders Soccer Club, United Friends Club, United Goans Centre, and Y.R.C Rising Stars.

 

Record of the League since 1999:

Year	Champions	Runners-up	Score
1999-2000	Navelim YC	Colva United Club	1-0
2000-2001	Goa Maroons	Colva United Club	5-4 (Tie-Breaker)
2002-2003	Navelim YC	Goa Maroons	4-3
2003-2004	Bombay Boys	United Goans Centre	3-0
2004-2005	Curtorcares United	AVC - Kuwait	4-3 (Tie-Breaker)
2005-2006	Goa Maroons	AVC - Kuwait	1-0
2006-2007	DHL	AVC - Kuwait	2-0
2007-2008	Kuwait Goan Associa.	AVC - Kuwait	1-0
2009-2010	Navelim YC	Curtorcares United	4-0
2010-2011	Indian Strikers	United Friends Club	4-3 (Tie-Breaker)
2011-2012	Malabar United FC	AVC - Kuwait	1-1 (4-3) Tie-breaker

Navelim Youth Centre Managing Committee:
 
President: Agnello A.S Fernandes
Vice President: Luis D’Silva
Gen. Secretary: Gasper Crasto
Treasurer: Eusebio Fernandes
Sports Secretary: Avelino Dias
Asst. Sports Secretary: Duarte Ferrao
Team Manager: Seby Colaco
Asst. Sports Manager: Mauricio D’Costa
Team Coach: Victor Fernandes
Social Secretary: Allan Fernandes
P.R.O: Simon Dias
Auditor: Sydney Rodrigues
Advisor: Norman Noronha

 

For exclusive news and images click Navelim Website: http://www.nycq8.com/