Juned Coutinho helps Al Khor Strikers win Savs Sports & Fitness 6-A-Side Hockey Tournament
Doha, Qatar: A brace by Mumbai-born Goan Juned Coutinho helped Al Khor Strikers get the better of Pearl Pirates 2-0 and win the first 6-A-Side Hockey Tournament organized by Savs Sports and Fitness held recently at a school ground.
In a closely contested final, Al Khor Strikers struck once in each half in the one-day tournament which saw six team contesting for the top prize.
Coutinho, who won the Best Player of the Tournament award, scored both the goals for the winners. Moaz of Duhail Ninjas won the best goalkeeper award while Stefan Werner of of Duhail Ninjas walked away with the highest goal scorer award.
Al Khor Strikers Manager Fabian Faleiro, a former player who traces his roots to Navelim and Benaulim villages was delighted with the win.
“It was interesting and well contested tournament and the same can also be said of the final. We had players from India, Pakistan playing for us,” said Fabian who as a manager of the team bought the players at an auction held a couple of day before the tournament.
Fabian, who quit the game three years back after an injury, knew most of the players and their abilities and that task made it easier for him to buy the players at the auction.
“We had players from England, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Hungary, Egypt who were up for the auction, besides players from Indian subcontinent of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. So we had players from 12 countries, different continents and playing varied styles taking part in the tournament, which is good for Qatar hockey and its future.”
Wakrah Warriors finished third, Duhail Ninjas, Doha Knights and West Bay Wizards were the other teams which took part. Prior to the tournament the players were auctioned and bought by the respective owners.
Savio Nayak, Founder & CEO of Savs Sports and fitness, the organizer of the event was delighted with the success of the tournament.
“The tournament was a big success and most of the top players, based in Qatar took part in the auction and in the tournament. Most of the matches were close matches,” said Savio, a Qatar national team player and who is also a qualified hockey and football coach.
“We have a talented bunch of players in Qatar and if they are selected to the national team we will have a strong team starting from the regional competitions,” added Savio.
“Thanks to Qatar Hockey Association we have been taking part in some regional tournaments but the tournament saw some new talents which will add more depth and options to the coach in the upcoming tournaments,” added the Mumbai-born player.
Former Hungary national team player Gyorgy was delighted to take part in the tournament and cross paths with players from different countries paying different styles of hockey.
“We witness some top level hockey and different styles of the game, the Indian subcontinent style of play which is known for its brilliant stick work and the more physical game of the Europeans,” said Gyorgy, who is based in Qatar for the last 22 years.
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