From the start, ICS attacked the UIS defence and spend almost the first quarter of the match in the UIS box. Sandip, the playmaker for ICS, made three attempts at the rival goal in the first 10 minutes but could not net in. Later, he had to be substituted due to injury.
UIS had a few shots on target and they made it count with Nikhil evading the fingertips of ICS goalkeeper Rajesh to give them the much needed lead. Thereafter, UIS protected their lead.
In the second half, ICS stepped up the pressure and came close to scoring couple of times but rival keeper Joshua was upto the task all the time. In the last minute, he pulled off a stunning save to make sure ICS did not get that all-important equaliser.
As the final whistle blew, UIS celebrated their 1-0 win and their trophy overcoming eight schools in the tournament. Adam of UIS won the lucky school children draw to win a foosball table. All the schools that had participated received a token of appreciation for their participation.
Chief guest Hakim, CEO of Al Amaz Shipping, gave away the prizes.
Individual awards:Best discipline team: Carmel School, First player to score: Nikhil (UIS), UGC Man-of the-Match: Shaheen (UIS), UGC top scorer of the tournament: Shaheen (UIS), UGC best goalkeeper: Joshua (UIS).
In another match, Kerela Challengers claimed the 40th edition of United Goans Centre football tournament, a second title in a row, at Bayan Stadium, Kuwait, recently.
United Goans Centre completed a huge landmark by celebrating its presence in Kuwait for 40 years and its 40th football tournament in front of a packed Bayan Stadium. Since its inception in 1976, UGC had started the football league along with a knock out tournaments and three years later they changed solely to knock out tournaments to allow other clubs a chance to hold tourneys under the KIFF umbrella.
United Goans Centre organised the first football tournament for Indian expatriates in Kuwait and is one of the only clubs that have lasted the test of time and have not changed its name from the start.
United Goans Centre motto “Friendship Through Sports” has been managed under the leadership of president Tony Alphonso along with the vice-president Agnelo D’Cunha have been taking the club to new heights. To celebrate this huge milestone, UGC has also successfully conducted the second inter-school children football tournament allowing the young generation a chance to showcase their skills.
Fr Domnic had inaugurated the first football tournament in 1979 and although he could not make it this time, he had send his prayers and best wishes to UGC on the occasion of their 40th football edition.
