Text from Mauritian Tournament organisation.
BLUE MARLIN FOOTBALL CLUB – WINNERS OF THE MAURITIAN FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 2012!
As you are probably aware, winning any football tournament is not an easy run in the park, let alone winning the Mauritian Football Tournament. One must have a well prepared team, a good manager and have the focus required to execute that winning mentality.
After securing both the Essex Business Houses Divisional Cup and the Syd Morrell League Cup recently, Blue Marlin FC were mounting another assault aiming to add to their 2012 trophy cabinet, by trying to win the annual Mauritian Football Competition. Some would say this was a more significant or mammoth task; to try and be labeled as the best Mauritian football team in the UK. Having won the tournament more than any other team, Blue Marlin FC were entering this year’s tournament as one of the favourites, but as the manager Ravin Soobadoo poignantly pointed out beforehand, “it would be foolish for the team to approach the tournament believing their name is already engraved on the cup. The pressure we face is indeed the same for all the 12 teams in the tournament”.
Blue Marlin began their campaign in group 1 against the stern opposition of Rhinos FC, Excel United and Scouts FC. After Marlin’s dismal performance last year, where they failed to progress through the group stage, they ensured that they reinforced every department entering this year’s tournament. Marlin got off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win against Rhinos. Beating one of the favourites so early put the team in a good position to qualify. With Marlin playing some “Spanish” style football, some were asking; how long could this really last? Torrential rain somehow managed to find it’s way to South West London but that did not stop the fervent Marlin fans by continuing to watch the team they loved.
The players were urged to concentrate on the games at hand and to avoid being overconfident, knowing that a win against Scouts would put them through to the knock-out stages. After another amazing display, Blue Marlin dismantled Scouts 3-1, having to come from a goal behind. With the team qualified, the approach for the last group stage match was indeed the same. The message was to win the group and indeed they did.
The last group game against Excel United had to be played on another pitch due to severe water logging on the previous pitch – the rain continued to devour. With this, the attractive football played by Blue Marlin seem to disappear. A great save by Vaschil Rughoo kept the match at 1-0 before Marlin eventually fought back to win the match 2-1 with goals from, Nishal Juggessur and Richard Worrell. The team once again showed that they were capable of fighting back.
Blue Marlin FC were through to the next round winning their group, earning a quarter final match against the seemingly low profile Hans Sporting who needed a wild card to get through. The Manager Ravin, pointed out that the tournament commenced from this point onwards, adding that any untimely mistakes could prove costly. The team responded brilliantly with a tremendous display, controlling the game from the start with Josh Humbert being named man of the match, defending the goal as if his life depended on it. This was the beginning of some sterling performances from the midfield maestro who with Kabir Jeetoo, continued to dominate the midfield.
With 4 wins out of 4, the semi finals dawned upon us. All the eyes were on Blue Marlin FC vs Club Des Iles. They were now facing a club who also had 4 wins behind their belt. It was indeed a match of great delight for both sets of fans, with some great football from both teams. Marlin could not take advantage of their early possession and against the run of play, Club des Iles took the lead, and were looking extremely dangerous especially, from set pieces. Another inspiring half time speech from Ravin Soobadoo ensured that the tables turned again. 2 goals in quick succession and Blue Marlin FC were heading to the the final!
The moment we had all been waiting for had arrived. Sunrise FC entered the final following a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Real Maurice PLB. With the sun finally out, neutrals were enjoying a throughly entertaining final. After some ferocious battles across the park, Blue Marlin took the lead from a marvellously taken goal by Richard Worrell. Kabir Jeetoo then added a second with one of the goals of the tournament, after receiving a cleverly passed ball from the skipper Yaemish Rughoo and viciously volleying the ball into the back of the net to lead at half-time. Marlin did have a few scary moments when Sunrise pulled one back, but as the match drew to its conclusion, Charlie Gergiou cooly rounded the the Sunrise keeper a slotted home to rapturous cheers!
The match finished with Marlin winning 3-1 and to the delight of all the players, supporters and a thrilled manager. The effervescent chants of ‘Blue Marlin la la la’ resounded in the background whilst captain Yaemish Rughoo and his team lifted the trophy to officially acclaim the dominance of Blue Marlin FC.
With another trophy to add to their tally, winning the trophy for a record ninth time in their illustrious history showed that their hunger has not deserted them.
As far as this tournament was concerned, Marlin totally deserve it, winning 6 games out of 6, and beating some great teams along the way. Mauritian football is truly on the up and I look forward to next year’s tournament with immense anticipation.
Congratulations to Blue Marlin FC and all the best for their forthcoming tour to Mauritius.
Deeshen Ruttun