DHL Trophy Football Tournament in Kuwait 
Navelim Youth Centre Kuwait

Colva United Centre (CUC) lifted the coveted 2nd DHL Trophy of the 8th edition football tournament organized by Navelim Youth Centre - Kuwait defeating United Friends Club (UFC) by 5-4 via the tie-breaker after a scintillating 1-1 draw during regular and extra time. 

The match got off to a cautious start with the ball confined to the midfield but UFC slowly started building their moves and made inroads in the Colva territory with lanky striker Ivo D Costa swaying the CUC defenders with his sheer acceleration. With ten minutes gone in the first half hardworking Aurello controlled a Sarto Baptista long ball and sent a defense splitting pass to Ivo who beat his marker with his long strides and took a first time strike from just inside the penalty box which floated over goalkeeper Henry to the far corner of the net. To add to CUC's misery captain Austin Fernandes had to leave the field with groin injury but play maker Tiago Fernandes was again at his best feeding forwards time and again. The CUC strikers particularly Noel Gonsalves did a lot of running but his passing was not of the highest level and with half fit Jimmy playing touch-me-not game it was only Santimano who struggled to get the match back to level terms. He made a number of attempts on the rival goal but could not get the ball in the net. His header off a pin-point Tiago cross missed the mark by inches. 

CUC entered the field in the second session with vengeance and forced a couple of corners, which however were squandered away. UFC counter attacked with right wing back Henry Morals combining well with Ivo. As time went by Colva put pressure but UFC defense marshaled by the ever agile Sarto who gave nothing away. The equalizer came with three minutes left for the final hooter. Colva’s over lapping left wing back Lawerence crossed to unmarked Santimano who volleyed home to great jubilation of the Colva supporters. With match going into extra time and the temperatures soaring high both the teams restored to long range efforts but failed to get the decider. The tie breaker applied when Colva United slotted in all their spot kicks through Tiago, Antonio, Lawrence, Anand and George while Phillip hit the first kick taken by UFC on the post. UFC scored the others through Sarto, Aurelio, Pedro Dias and Henry Marris. 

In the presentation speech while thanking the Chief guest Mr. Franco Picco – Sales Territory Manager of DHL-Kuwait, Guest of Honour Ahmed Zaffar – Human Resources Manager of DHL and special invitee Mr. Ulyses Menezes of Goa-World team for their presence and spirit for braving hot temperatures, the President of NYC Mr Agnello A S Fernandes made it amply clear that if you need to consolidate your win in a game there is lot of truth in the slogan of the sponsors that every second counts. 

Mr. Franco Picco in his speech, congratulated the winning team and assured of continued assistance to this activity on behalf of DHL whenever possible. 

The best performance team was awarded to CRC Chinchinim and Tiago Fernandes was given the man of the Match trophy. The proceedings of the day were conducted by Peter Colaco who earlier welcomed the guests; and in his concluding speech thanked the guests and spectators for gracing the occasion. 

This tournament was fully sponsored by the reputed business house of Kuwait DHL Worldwide Express (www.dhl.com). 

For pictures, pls view them at http://www.nyc.indianet.org/