Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 02, 2011 Sports
GT&T FastBall KO Football
By Franklin Wilson
The battle for a place in the final of the historic GT&T FastBall knock-out football competition is well and truly on. The first four teams have been decided for the quarterfinals following the start of the round-of-16 on Sunday evening at the GFC Ground, Bourda.
It was definitely the leanest of evenings as regards to goals but that was understandable given the tougher nature of the competition as the tournament matures. Nonetheless, Pele Gold, BK International Western Tigers A, West Front Road and West Demerara United all secured their places in the quarterfinals of the nationwide competition.
All but one of the matches were decided by sudden death penalty kicks which further underlines the competitiveness of matches at the Mecca of the sport in the city; the only game producing a win in regulation time also turned out to be an upset, West Demerara United (WDU) turning back the challenge of Broad Street by the lone goal of the match which came off the boot of Jason Critchlow in the 12th minute.
The Pouderoyen based WDU have been one of the surprise packages of this tournament which also has as one of its aims, to bring to the fore hidden talent.
Critchlow, who marshals the midfield for WDU, has been outstanding for his side in seeing them to this stage of the competition backed up by good and disciplined play from his teammates.
Broad Street, Guinness Greatest of the Streets champions in the city, were kept at bay by the confident West Demerara side and were never allowed to dictate the flow of the game which was dominated for the most part by WDU.
The main event of the night lived up to the pre-game billing as a tough encounter to the extent that neither team were able to score during the regulation period of 30 minutes. Chances were few and far as the teams were cautious in attack and defence.
What makes sudden penalty kicks most interesting is the fact that the opposing Captains choose the kickers from the other side and after the first set, the score was locked at 1-1. Pele scored their second while Mocha missed theirs to send Pele through.
Western Tigers A were also pushed to the limit by a game Ann’s Grove United unit, that game also ended 0-0 with the Tigers prevailing 1-0 from the spot; goalkeeper Travis Bess hitting the network with Ann’s Grove missing their shot.
West Front Road, which will clash with Pele Gold in their quarterfinal encounter, also won from the spot 1-0 after the first of three 0-0 regulation time score lines against East Bank Demerara’s Grove, both East Bank teams sent packing from the tournament.
Kevin Alleyne missed the target for Grove but Andrew Rodney rocked the nets for West Front Road to maintain their upward momentum in the charge for the top spot and One Million prize that goes along with that position.
The final four round-of-16 games will be played tomorrow at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden.
Three East Coast teams, four from Linden and one city side will be in the reckoning for the final four quarterfinal spots.
Adam’s Rockers play Daddy’s Enterprise; Golden Stars B oppose Pioneers; Amelia’s Ward A take on Castello Schemers with Bakewell Topp XX coming up against BV Triumph United A.
Fans will again be in line to win free credit in the kick off from the half way line to the goal, while tickets for the grand final on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence are already on sale for $1,000 each.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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