by Christopher Fernandes
KUWAIT, JUNE 15,1015: Teams from Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) in Kuwait stamped their credentials as champions as they excelled on both the football and hockey field at prestigious tournaments.
Godfrey Aguair, the Captain of Don Bosco Oratory, led his side to a narrow 1-0 win over Rising Stars in the Final of the prestigious J. P. Dmello League cup organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation on June 12.
DBO dominated the final from the start but they failed to break the ice, as Rising Stars defender Nikhil Rodrigues prevented DBO's strikers from finding the net.
Rising Stars played to a defensive strategy that helped keep DBO's attack in check for most of the game. DBO finally drew first blood after they were awarded a penalty.
Rising Stars refused to give-in and attacked DBO's goal in the dying minutes of the match. But DBO managed to keep a clean sheet.
"We should have sealed the victory in the first half. We had our ups and downs, but in the end we came through. The team is young and talented, I will always love my team and Don Bosco," Aguair said.
"On the whole the victory goes to all our supporters, well-wishers, committee, support staff and players. All the sacrifice and teamwork the lads have put in has paid off," Carlos Fernandes, DBO's coach, said.
DBO shone on the hockey pitch as well. Sherwin D'Souza scored a brace to help his side beat KOC Green, 2-1 in the Final of Khalid Arshad Memorial Hockey Tournament on June 10.
The Greens relentlessly attacked DBO's goal in the first half and striker Mushtaq sounded the boards early. DBO counter-attacked and D'Souza equalised shortly after.
DBO dominated through much of the second half and D'Souza netted the winner two minutes from the full-time whistle.
"Hockey is a passion and the lads in our team have the attitude and physical skills needed to compete. Team spirit needs effort and our team has matured over the years and gel well with each other. We are looking forward to continued success in the coming tournaments," D'Souza said.
"It was my silent prayer, that through the intercession of St John Bosco, his name known through our boys of the Oratory in the field of sports. The teams and support staff did Don Bosco proud," Father Franco Pereira, the priest in-charge of the Oratory.
"What took place on the 12 June (football) and a few days earlier (hockey) is the fruit of all the struggles, pain and great commitment."