News: Julio cardoso
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Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait (SB)
Kuwait, Aug 15: The St Francis Xavier Unity Cup (SFX Unity Cup) organized by a bunch of soccer crazy Goans got off to a rousing start with the inaugural matches played at the Digital Ground here on Friday August 13.
This unique 8-A side tournament is being played on Thursdays and Fridays during the entire month of Ramadan, with the grand finals scheduled on September 9, the first day of Eid. A total of 16 teams participating in this tournament have been divided into two pools. United Friends Club, Navelim Youth Centre, AVC, Surra Boys, Livrament Boys, Don Bosco, SFX and United Goans make up group A, while Veterans, Skynet raiders, Dular boys, Rawda boys, Indian Strikers, CRC, DHL and Curtorcares United are pooled in group B.
In the first match of this knock out tournament, United Friends Club (UFC) edged out Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) by a solitary goal scored by the very quick and fleet footed Hament in the 7th minute of the first half. Both teams had equal chances, but UFC were the better side on the day with a strong defense and midfield ably marshaled by Teotinio and Edwin.
The entire tournament is being officiated by Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA), and the match was officiated by Julio Cardoso and assisted by Tony D'Çosta and Milagres. In the second match, veterans mostly made up of senior renowned players like Benny, Mervin, Adolf held very strong Sky Net Raiders to a goalless draw, and were unlucky to lose out in the tie breaker. Sky Net Raiders having players of the calibre of Anthony and Aston were unable to penetrate the veterans defense, but however went on to win 4-2 in the shootout and will play the winners of Duler Boys and Rawda Boys scheduled to play on Thursday August 19.
The organizers of this very first 8-A Side SFX Unity Cup have promised to award a Gold Biscuit to the winners and runners-up, besides individual prizes. Numerous other individual prizes will also be distributed on the final day, with sponsorship and gifts support from Mariano Fernandes, B.M. Viegas, Raymond D’Sa, Manuel D’Çosta, Caje of Sky Net Raiders, Albert Pinto, Rubin Fernandes, Manoj Pai, Jovleena Pillay, Tony Dias, Sydney Furtado, UFC, DHL Kuwait, NYC, UGC, CRC, AVC Kuwait, Curtorcares United, Veterans, Mario of DHL, Livrament Boys, Dominic Mendes and DBO.
Upcoming First Round Matches
On 19/8/2010 (Thursday), AVC Kuwait v/s Surra Boys at 5:00pm and Duler Boys v/s Rawda Boys at 5:30pm. On 20/8/2010 (Friday), Livrament Boys will take on Don Bosco at 5:00pm, while Indian Strikers will play CRC at 5:30pm.