It was an all Malaysian affair at the 11th International Football Club (IFC) Annual Football 9s Tournament 2019, Tonglu County, Hangzhou in China last Saturday when Interaction Recreation Club, Seremban (IRC) and International Football Club (IFC) won the Masters and Grand Masters title respectively.

IRC lived up to their pre-tournament favourites tag when they wrested the Douglas Webster challenge trophy and bagged US$600 (RM2,480.00).

They defeated another Malaysian team –  Kilat KL Club – by a solitary goal in the final. Kilat picked up US$400 (RM1,650)

It was the second meeting for the teams in the final, after having met in the opening match of the tournament when IFC had also won by a goal.

Defending champions, My World FC did not compete this year.

And IRC who completed their fixtures – five group matches, semifinals and final unbeaten – had to thank former national Olympics squad and Kuala Lumpur striker K. Nanthakumar, who scored a total of six goals – including the winner in the final in their sixth match. Nanthakumar also had scored in the opening game against Kilat in the League round.

Nanthakumar, 41, played for KL from 1996 to 2000 and the national Olympic squad under coach Hateem Sousi in 2000 and 2001.

In the semifinals, IRC defeated Perak Chinese Recreation Club (PCRC) by a solitary goal scored by Nanthakumar too.

PCRC went on to win the Plate title in a comeback victory when they came from a goal down to defeated China’s U45-U60 2-1.

IFC powered by several State players like A. Muralitharan and P. Muthuvello and several experienced players, were only held to a draw in their run-up to the final by China’s `Guanghou Hengfu when they came from a goal down to equalise through their ace striker Nanthakumar.

Guangzhou were indeed a formidable team and indeed unlucky to have had to settle for fourth place after losing in the Plate final to fellow Chinese team – Shanghai Lanyin – by a solitary goal.

Earlier they would have qualified for the Masters semifinals, if Kilat were held by another Chinese team – Baishifu – but the Malaysian team won by a solitary goal scored in the dying second of the game.

IFC have been existence for 13 years it was their chairman P. Ragunathan who came into the club eight years ago who has elated their club to become an iconic veteran club who have top class playing facilities.

Through the effort of Ragu, as he is fondly known, the club proudly manage the Interact Recreation Club (IRC) Arena located at the Bandar Sri Sendayan Tamil Primary School which has a clubhouse and field with flood lights when they adopted the school team as a pilot community project.

The president of the club now is former Asian Football Confederation secretary-general Datuk Alex Soosai.

Hosts International Football Club (IFC), who won their first title – the Grand Masters – of the tournament they have been hosting for eleven years have an equally impressive record.

IFC have been in existence for 51 years and is the only veteran club in Malaysia true to its name who takes its tournament overseas.

After last year’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, IFC once again decided to hit the road and picked to return to Hangzhou where they hosted the tournament in 2011 – their first overseas tournament.

Among the overseas cities that hosted IFC 9s Veteran Soccer Tournament were held include Pattaya (2012), Phnom Penh (2014 & 2016) and Krabi (2017).

This year it was with the collaboration of the Hangzhou Tourism & Sports Council and Tonglu City Council, the tournament was held at the Hangzhou Football Management Centre Tonglu County – about an hour’s drive from Hangzhou. The weather was cool and surrounded by mountains which made perfect for a veteran’s tournament.

It was indeed a proud moment for IFC as it was their first title premier title in their own tournament.

“We have won Plate titles in the past, but this is our first premier title of the tournament., And that we were underdogs of the tournament including in the final against a much more experienced and well prepared KBVS. It was indeed a great determined effort not to return empty handed that saw us trimph,” said IFC president Kiranjit Singh.

IFC’s hero in the final was goalkeeper Ong Mok Hooi, who saved the third and final mandatory penalty to win 3-2 after full time score of 3-2. They won US$600 (RM2,480), while KBVS picked up US$400 (RM 1,650)

The Grand Masters (50 years and above) was only introduced last year and the inaugural winners were Lagenda FC from Malacca who did not defend their title this year.

The tournament this year saw 11 teams in the Masters category and five teams in the Grand Masters.

Participating teams:

Masters:

Group A: Blanco Suzuka, Baisfu, IRC Seremban, Kilat KL Club, Guangzhou Hengfu, Jian Qiao

Group B: Shanghai Lanyin, Perak Chinese RC; U45 – U60 FC; Jarum FC; Braickwork Boyz Simagapore

Grand Masters:

IFC, Royal Selangor Club, KBV Sri Muda, Perak Chinese RC; U45 –U60 FC

ROLL OF HONOUR

Masters Champion: Interaction Recreation Club, Seremban (IRC)

Runner-up: Kilat KL Club

Grand Masters Champion: International Football Club (IFC)

Runner-up: KB Veteran Sri Muda

Masters Plate Champion: Shanghai Lanyin

Grand Masters Plate champion:  Perak Chinese Recreation Club

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