NIZ GOENKAR FOOTBALL TEAM CREATES WAVES IN OMAN

Friday the 25th was an exciting day for Indians and especially Goan football enthusiasts in Oman with 8 teams vying to battle it out for glory. The turnout for the One Day 11-A-Side Football tournament was a good one and the competition stiff with a series of thrills and spills at the Qurum football ground.

There was no doubt that Goan Football and the competition has grown in heaps and bounds over the years since it was started for the very first time in the year 1990 by two Goan football lovers. Drawing hoards of talent of Indian Footballers from across the country (Oman), the tournament has matured to become one of the most exciting sporting events for Goans and other Indians in Oman. Friday’s tournament showcased talents aplenty with young school boys as well as veterans mixing up to prove their skills and aptitude. Niz Goenkar Team, managed by ex-veteran footballer, Mr. John Barretto of Curtorim and ably supported by Mrs. Natty Pereira, proved just why they deserve to be taken seriously. Niz Geonkar topped Group-A by defeating SFX 3-0, drawing with Saligao 0-0 and again deteating AIG 1-0 during the league encounter.



Our Team in Oman

AIG were the runners-up. Group-B saw Curtorim and CBD Boys emerging winners and runners-up respectively, by knocking out Black and White Kerala and Chivas Muscat. Top two teams from each group qualified for the semi-finals. In the semi-finals Niz Goenkar knocked out Curtorim while AIG defeated CBD Boys in a thrilling match. Christopher D’Souza, a veteran on the Goan football scene in Oman since the inception of the tournament, scored the only goal to qualify them for the finals. As they say, sometimes luck favours the weak, this became evident with Niz Goenkar. As Niz Goenkar had already defeated AIG earlier, they became over-confident in the finals of defeating them again. Roger of AIG was a thorn for Niz Goenkar and although he did not show any spirit in the earlier games, he frustrated the Niz Goenkar defence, time and again, in the finals.

In spite of losing in the finals, Niz Goenkar were the talk of the day and were unofficially declared the Best Dressed Team. Niz Goenkar’s Ian Cardozo, won the Best Player of the tournament. Niz Goenkar did not concede any goals until the final due to the brilliance of their goalkeeper, Thomas. He is short in height, but his flying tactics reminded me of Sudhir who used to play for Vasco Sports Cub in my heydays. Rajesh did a brilliant job in the defence while Sayed and Mohsin excelled from defence to forward positions showing their young talent and stamina. Joe, the Captain, consistently kept his cool and guided his side to the finals.

All in all, it was a day of great fun and excitement for all who were present at the venue and Niz Goenkar shone like a Shining Star that can truly be seen on the Goan skies during the night. This team shone during the day.

MORE PICTURES:

TEAM SEEN WITH THE COACH



OUR TEAM CO-ORDINATOR AND MANAGER NATTY PEREIRA AND OUR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT AND TEAM INCHARGE  IN OMAN DIOGO LAZARUS PEREIRA (BOTH WEARING CAP AND HAT)