THEY will always be rivals, but Morisset United and Toronto Awaba soccer clubs will be unified when they remember former player Mikhail de Bastos in their annual tribute match this weekend.
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The clubs will play for the Mikhail de Bastos Memorial Shield at Dora Creek Workers Club Oval on Sunday.
The shield has been struck to honour the memory of Mikhail, a young man who represented both clubs prior to his death in 2011, at age 18, in a motor vehicle accident in the wet at Bonnells Bay.
Morisset United's senior vice-president Dave Bartlett said the match was an important fixture on both club's calendars.
"Both clubs want to win, of course, but it's also a very social event and a day when Mikhail is remembered," Mr Bartlett said. "A lot of our our players grew up with Mikhail and played with him."
The winner of the memorial shield will be determined by the result of the first grade fixture which kicks off at 2.30pm.
If that match is drawn, then the results of the lower grades will come into play. Third grade will kick off at 11am, with reserve grade at 12.45pm.
Toronto Awaba holds the shield, but Morisset United like their chances on Sunday.
"I'm quite confident," Mr Bartlett said. "We'll be fielding one of our strongest teams this year."
