(MENAFN- Arab Times) Malabar United showed just why they are such a hard team to beat when they upstaged a strong Skynet Raiders 2-1, while resurgent YRC Rising Stars with a host of talented youngsters edged Curtorcares United 2-0 in the last two quarter-finals played last Friday for the J. P. D'Mello Rolling Trophy League tournament organized by the Kuwait Indian Football Federation.
In the first match, YRC Rising Stars started confidently with star midfielder Bernard Pires distributing well and the young and hard working Cheslee D'Souza using his position as a forward midfielder to accurately feed Sujit, Kishore and Mathew upfront to keep the Curtorcares defense under constant pressure.
The Curtorcares United on the other hand tried to use Carvalho along with Bonny as their strikers but could not get past Anthony Fernandes in the rival goal.
Curtorcares United who have been one of the teams to beat this season, were unfortunate to lose their veteran goalkeeper Melvin Fernandes who had to be rushed to hospital with a dislocated shoulder after what seemed a harmless fall at the start of the second half with the game goalless.
The YRC exploited his absence when Sujit Subramanian's simple shot at goal was let in by the substitute keeper and midway in the second half, YRC led 1-0.
Sujit was again nicely placed to deflect a cross towards the end of the match to make it 2-0 in favor of YRC Rising Stars and a well deserved place in the semi-finals.
The Man of the Match was Sujit Subramaniham and the award was presented by Shamir, General Secretary of FC Sparks. The match was officiated by IFRA officials, Alvaro Dias, Sarto Baptista and Julio Cardoso.
In the second match played in rising temperatures between Malabar United and Skynet Raiders, substitute Raheem was the hero for Malabar United when he came in as a super sub and scored the winner in extra time, sending the Malabar supporters into wild celebrations.
Skynet Raiders with a selection of renowned ball players including Arif Shaikh, Joe Gomes, Biju and Reegan, started the game well and kept the Malabar defense busy.
However, it was against the run of play in the first half that Gibu Varghese put Malabar in the lead when a diving Joseph Britto under the Skynet bar could not stop his shot from just inside the penalty area.
The fleet footed Joe Gomes of Skynet Raiders however equalized in the second half, when he feigned a couple of Malabar players and shot exquisitely, giving the Malabar keeper no chance to level the scores.
The match ended 1-1 and it was Raheem who came to Malabar's rescue when he found himself completely unmarked in the Skynet penalty area to volley home and send his team to the semis.
Deservedly, he was declared the Man of the Match and received his award from the KIFF Managing Committee member Robert Bernard. The match was officiated by Francisco and supported by Sarto and Simon on the lines.
Friday, May 8, 2015 in the semi-finals the DHL FC will play YRC Rising Stars at 6:30 am and Don Bosco Oratory will take on Malabar United at 8:00 am. All teams are requested to report on time. Venue: Bayan Ground.
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