Rising Stars Vs United Friends Club UFC begins tournament with 3-0 win over Rising Stars
The first match began at 7:10 am where the winners of the last year’s edition United Friends club took on Rising Stars. Rising stars took advantage of early possession and began attacking right away from the word go, but the UFC defense was solid. UFC tried a couple of long balls to shake Rising Stars defense but they were not able to get them through for their attack to take advantage. The game was evenly balanced with both sides maintaining equal amount of possession and no side looked like it was going to give away any goals. UFC were gifted a golden opportunity in the 18thminute with a handball inside the penalty area and Remedio Fernandes picked the left side and send the goal keeper the other way to make the score 1-0. UFC soon afterwards had another chance, but Antony of Rising stars pulled in a great last minute calculated tackle to deny UFC from scoring. UFC maintained their attacking momentum and were rewarded with a defensive mistake from Rising Stars which resulted in an own goal. The second half began with rising stars stepping up their attacks and were looking for their opening goal. They began passing the ball nicely among themselves and creating chances but the UFC defenders were present all the way to stop all attacks. The game began to open up with both teams missing fine chances on either sides of the goal. It was a delight to see attacking football from both the sides, but UFC were the better team on this day and were rewarded a the third goal from Joquiam. The match finished UFC 3 – Rising Stars 0. The match was officiated by Jerry D’mello, Tony, Arnold and Joe. Final Score: UFC 3 – Rising Stars 0 UG Strikers Vs K.G.A K.G.A knock out hosts UG Strikers At the start of the second match, the KIFF president introduced all the club presidents and both the teams to Mr.Ali Melhem, the official from MOH ground. The last time these two teams met where on this ground where UG Strikers had edged KGA 3-1 in the KIFF league match. With the new season underway and players changing teams ever so regularly, KGA would be looking to turn things around. The first goal came in ten minutes when an unmarked Vitorino Menezes scored from a nice shot taken from inside the box. UG tried to counter with some long balls from the midfield but KGA defense stood like a rock. UG Strikers had a chance with a free kick but it was sent just wide over the post. KGA maintained their attack on UG but UG goalkeeper had come out of his line to make some good saves. Shubert of UG had a long range effort from 30 yards out but it was kept out by the fingertips of the KGA goalkeeper. Vico, played a major role in midfield for KGA as he constantly provided some good balls for his attack keeping the UG defenders busy at the back. Vitorino who played exceptionally well beat his marker and another defender to make the score 2-0 at the end of the first half. United Goans started the second half positively and some good passing leaded to some good attacking chances. It was a very dormant second half from both the sides with KGA happy to protect their lead. Vitorino was without doubt the man of the match as he continued displaying his superb individual skills. He had a chance to complete his hat-rick because of a deliberate handball by a UG defender which resulted in him being sent off. This is the second time we have seen a red card in this tournament due to the same reason. There were a lot of offside calls as both teams began to play the offside trap well. Another lapse in defending resulted in an own goal and KGA made sure they would be no late comeback before the match ended with favor to KGA. This match was refereed by Jerry, Joe, Arnold and Nasi. Final Score: KGA 3 – UG Strikers 0 DHL VS RANGERS DHL score in extra time to go through against new comers Rangers The third match began at 10:03 am with both teams playing delighting football and gave the crowd a great show of football. The match referees were Gaspor, Arnold, Joe and Rosario. Both teams were matched equally and no team had control of possession for long periods of time. The game was played at a fast pace and the first good chance was a shot taken by no.19 Vazeel of Rangers from 35 yards out. He had the keeper beaten but the ball flew inches over the post. Kevin Misquita played an instrumental part in midfield as he had helped create a lot of attacking chances for Rangers. DHL then began to get in the game and take advantage of some shots on target. The Rangers keeper was upto mark and was able to deal with shots on target from DHL. DHL had some good chances but the defense of Rangers made sure they would not be any goals in the first half. With the temperature over 40 degree Celsius, the second half began at 10:50 am. Rangers were awarded a free kick, but it was sent to the wall and on the counter DHL managed to score a goal but it was rightly ruled offside. DHL had a great chance to score from a header of Godfrey but it was just wide of the post late in the second half. Both teams continued to play impressive soccer and each great attack was met by a great defender of both teams which kept the score to a goalless draw at the end of full time. Extra time started with Rangers making all their substitutions and we could see the weather taking its toll on both the teams as the pace of the game reduced. DHL continued to use its supremacy and their players having more experience were able to cope and make successful runs down the line and attack No. 7 Godfrey Aguiar made sure the match would not go into extra time when he got his header on target. The game was sealed after the goal and Rangers were not able to find an equalizer in the dying minutes. Both teams played exceptionally well but the result was decided by a single goal. Final Score: DHL 1 – Rangers 0 *Next Week Fixtures on 22-10-2010, Quarter Finals at MOH grounds Shuwaikh First Game, 6:30 am Goa Maroons Vs KGA Second Game, 8:00 am DHL VS CRC Third Game, 9:30am Indian Strikers VS NYC*