IFF added a new chapter by organizing the matches on the artificial pitch (Turf)
Indian Football Federation Kuwait IFF added a new chapter by organizing the matches on the artificial pitch (Turf) at the Dayaa grounds on November 6th 2009. It was an overwhelming experience for all the players to play on this novel surface and the credit should go to the high profile members of Indian Football Federation Kuwait for arranging the new ground at such a short notice as the previously scheduled ground was under maintenance. The 1st match in the IFF tournament was kicked off between the mighty DHL v/s the energetic Don Bosco Oratory (DBO). But the day clearly belonged to DBO and especially Leroy Rodrigues from DBO who scored a hat-trick and single handedly took the game away from DHL. The game commenced at 7:20 AM and within 15 mins after the kick off Leroy put DBO 1-0 up by cleverly placing the ball behind the net from a ball that was superbly crossed by Leo Rodrigues. But within minutes DHL fought back and equalized with the help of Roland Fernandes who neatly placed the ball to the right of the goal keeper. The score remained 1-1 at half time. DBO clearly dominated the second half of the game and Leroy once again proving a thorn for the DHLs defense as he scored 2 more goals and completed a hat-trick. DHL tried its best to make a come back into the game but all its efforts went in vain as Steven Rodrigues scored the fourth goal for DBO and sealed the game. By the end of the game the score remained DBO (4) - DHL (1). Leroy Rodrigues Match 2 was played between the experienced Sky Net team V/S the seasoned Veterans. The game started with both teams trying their best to draw 1st blood but both the teams came extremely close in doing so. Fortunately for Sky Net the first goal came in the form of a self goal that deflected off the defender of the veterans team leaving the goal keeper stranded. But the sprit of the veterans team did not deter. As veterans players tried their best to equalize. Sky net on the other hand pressed equally harder to score more goals but the walls of veterans which is formed of defenders like Mervyn Fernandes and Teddy Pinto did not allow Sky Net to succeed. By the end of the first half the score remained 1-0. 15 mins into the second half sky net scored another goal with the help of Binoj Cheruvathor. The scored remained the same till the end of the match. Sky Net (2) - Veterans (0). Friday 13th November 2009 will see the Youth of Dominic Savios battling against the dynamic AVC and all eyes will be on the second match for the day to watch the skills and control of MAC and Indians that will be playing against each other for the very first time in the IFF League. The matches were officiated by the member organization and the only professional one in the business Indian Football Referee Association IFRA which is an important part of IFF. Another notable factor was the presence of the families of the teams attending the matches which were missing all these years. This is due to the professionalism and discipline inculculated by the Indian Football Federation. Towards the end of the matches players were seen requesting the IFF Kuwait officials to conduct the whole season on the same pitch. It was a joy to those who experienced it and pain to those who missed the opportunity. According to officials of IFF Kuwait three grass grounds in Kuwait are earmarked this year for the whole season. Upcoming Fixtures are as follows: 13th Nov (7:00 AM): AVC V/S Dominic Savios 13th No (8:30 AM): Santos United V/S Indians 20th Nov (7:00 AM): DBO V/S MAC 20th Nov (8:30 AM): Veterans V/S ACV Sai Sainath Rajkumar Sarode sai_sar...@gmail.com
