World FC and Lagenda FC emerged champions in the 50th Anniversary International Football Club’s(IFC) 10th edition of their soccer 9s tournament when they wrested the Championship title and Grand Masters title respectively, at the Kelab Aman grounds recently.
My World FC from Kuala Lumpur who the title for 39 years above category while Lagenda FC from Malacca who the Grand Masters title for 49 years and above category which made its debut this year.
Lagenda FC defeated regulars in the tournament and inaugural tournament KL Wednesday FC 2-1.
My World FC who had services of former Kuala Lumpur captain K. Ramachandran and S. Mathen had to dig deep into their reserve to defeat ADE 9s 4-2 on penalties after they drew 1-1 at regulation time.
The tournament played over two days’ saw 16 teams compete in the championship category and 13 teams in the Grand Masters.
IFC president Kiranjit Singh was overwhelmed at the response and said they had to turn away a few teams to keep the tournament manageable over the two days.
“The response from both local and foreign teams really made this 50th anniversary tournament of the club a successful and exciting one,” said Kiranjit.
“We are indeed grateful to all our regular and new teams for their support to make this anniversary tournament a memorable one.
“The competition this year was much keener as all teams fully prepared to excel.”
IFC has a proud history and the only club, true to its name, takes its tournament overseas.
This year being their 50th anniversary, IFC have decided to organise at home.
The International Football Club of Kuala Lumpur was first registered in 1969 by a group of German expatriates and was originally named The German Football Club of Kuala Lumpur. The Club’s first registered address was the German Embassy and the first President was the Embassy First Secretary. At that time, they had exactly 11 players and the Captain suffered a broken arm in a game where he collided with Datuk Douglas Webster (the Patron of IFC). As a result, they were forced to open their membership to non-Germans.
Douglas Webster was therefore persuaded into becoming replacement for the injured captain in the team. Gradually the founding members left Malaysia and the Club became truly international which prompted the change of name to The International Football Club. The Club’s early years saw an influx of talented players, many through the introduction of the late Karl Heinz Weigang, who was then the Malaysian National Football Coach. Karl was the first Coach/Captain of IFC. Through his influence, the club had several past and present Internationals and State players as regular members.
The friendly connection with the National and State football associations has been closely maintained by the former Vice President Vinn Kiriwan, through his sports equipment connections and former Coach/Captain and current Special Advisor Ho Hon Seong, himself an ex-International player.
IFC have made a name and mark among veteran teams in Malaysia having won notable tournament like being three times the Bangkok Senior World Cup Champions, The Royal Selangor Club Veterans annual tournament, the Phuket Annual International Tournament and many others.
IFC is very proud of the fact that the club has always had a long waiting list of footballers wanting to join the club. This is despite the fact that IFC does not have a field or Club House of its own and the strict racial quotas practiced by the club, to ensure a truly International and inter racial blend, in the spirit of which this great country of Malaysia was formed.
In 2009, in conjunction with its 40 years’ anniversary, the club had organised its inaugural IFC 9s Veteran Soccer Tournament with the aim to promote active lifestyle among the ex-footballers and create a platform to meet up annually.
The tournament was well received and the Club decided to organise this yearly tournament in different destinations so that the participating teams can travel and visit other cultures and people, sampling the local delicacies besides enjoying their favourite sport. This has made IFC the only club in Malaysia who has hosted a soccer tournament beyond its own shore and IFC still carry the record until to date. Among the overseas cities that hosted IFC 9s Veteran Soccer Tournament were Hangzhou (2011), Pattaya (2012), Phnom Penh (2014 & 2016) and Krabi (2017).
The Club currently has 45 members with about 30 members are actively playing football in Kelab Aman field on every Saturday.
IFC besides just organising tournaments, since 2014 they have made their tournament even more meaningful by doing their bit for charity where they raise money to be donated to charitable organisations in each venue they compete.
Among the donations they have made include Kelantan flood victims (2014), Ranau earthquake victims in Sabah (2015), the Kantha Bopha Hospital in Phnom Penh (2016) and orphanage home in Krabi, Thailand (2017).
Kiramjit where asked where next year’s tournament will be held, he said: “We have yet to discuss next year’s tournament yet, let us savour this anniversary tournament which was a huge success and will meet soon when we are more settled, to decide next year’s plan.”
RESULTS
Grand Masters (49yrs & above)
Lagenda FC emerged as champion after beating KL Wednesday FC 2 -1
Hangover FC emerged as champion in the Plate Category after topping the group.
Veteran (39yrs & above)
Plate Final
Hong Kong Guangzhou United 1 – Kelab Aman 1
Kelab Aman emerged as champion after penalty shootout and the result of the penalty kick was 5 – 4
Championship 3-4th placing
South City FC against IRC Seremban and South City won on the penalty kick with the result 5 – 4. No game was played because both of the teams decided to take the penalty kick.
Championship Final
My World FC emerged as champion after they won the penalty kick with the result of 4 – 2. Normal time was My World FC 1 and ADE 9s 1.
