Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 04, 2012 Sports
By Rawle Welch
With members of both sides of Parliament expected to witness today’s finals of this
year’s NaMilCo Football Festival, at Tucville ground, on field action should provide riveting action that could certainly cajole influential members of the society to make their presence a regular feature at sports.
The final that features the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Beacons should be a crowd pleaser, while the playoff for third place between hosts Fruta Conquerors and Sunburst Camptown is anticipated to provide no less excitement.
The first game kicks off at 19:00 hrs, while the second begins from 21:00 hrs and fans are being urged to come to the venue early to get comfortable seating accommodation to beat the anticipated large turnout that is forecasted.
Sixteen teams affiliated to the Georgetown Football Association started the competition which carries a first prize money of $1million, runner-up$500,000, 3rd place-$200,000 and 4th place-$100,000 along with trophies.
In addition, individual prizes will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player, the Highest Goal Scorer, and the Most Disciplined Team.
In the opening encounter, Fruta Conquerors, whose fans were left frustrated with their semi-final performance against the Army, will obviously be hoping that they could manufacture a better performance and take home the third prize of $200,000.
They have been strengthened by the return of ace striker Pernell Schultz, who after a inspiring display in their quarter-final clash when he hammered in a hat-trick, failed to reproduce that performance in their matchup against the soldiers.
They will need a special performance from him to get past the savvy veteran team of Sunburst Camptown.
Players the caliber of Marko Marcus, Eon Alleyne, Jermain Junior, Trevon Lythcott and goalkeeper Colin Edwards will have to string together solid performances if they are to thwart the ambitions of the Campbellville-based unit.
Camptown’s chase for victory will once again depend on the reliable Troy Prescod, who looked razor sharp in mid-field in their win against a tough Riddim Squad side, but he will have to rely on support from the likes of Orlando Gilgeous, Leon Muir, Jahal Greaves, Peter Parks, Jamal Codrington, Malcolm Williams and Ronel Gordon along with that of goalkeeper Stefan Corlette.
The Beacons versus GDF affair should be an explosive battle for the top prize and word is that both teams have been undergoing relentless preparations for the major assignment.
Beacons, who made it to the final by virtue of Alpha United sudden pull out from the Festival, will want to justify their presence on the big stage, while GDF has played at a consistent level throughout the competition and they too will be keen to validate their place in the final.
The silky skills of the nippy Delwin Fraser will once again be on display, while Desford Williams, Rodwell Sandy, Marlon Benjamin, Seon Brewley and Delroy Deane are all an integral part of the unit.
The Army has looked in good condition and their progress under the stewardship of former national goalkeeper turned Coach Denzil Thompson has been noted so underestimating them could prove perilous.
Beacons on the other hand have undoubtedly shown admirable improvement with the steady exposure, but the Army could prove to be a task too difficult to overcome.
However, players such as Paul Giles, Dellon Cadogan, Jerome Richardson, Rensford Coleridge and Philip Rowley, all possess the potential to beat any team on the day.
The clash sets up an interesting showdown that could come down to which team is more hungry.
A total of 43 goals have been scored to date in the tournament, with Schultz of Fruta Conquerors leading the way with 3 goals to his credit followed by Devon Forde of Sunburst Camptown and GDF’s Delwin Fraser with 2 apiece.
Beacon FC route to the final came at the expense of Northern Rangers 4-0, Sunburst Camptown in a penalty shootout and Alpha United’s withdrawal paved the way for them to secure a birth to today’s final.
The GDF’s path to the championship round started with a win over Black Pearl by a 4-2 margin, Santos 1-0 and an upset over tournament favorites Fruta Conquerors 1-0.
The sponsors are: Global Technology (2 Computer Scholar Ship value at $400,000) for two promising players.
Junior’s Jewelry and Gift Center Robb Street – Highest Goal Scorer (One Gold Chain); 2 J’s General Store Regent Street – MVP Cash Incentive; Bay Ridge Taxi Service – Best Goal Keeper Prize (One Cell Phone and 5000 Credit); Prudential Industrial Technology – Water system Installation; Banks – DIH Ltd – assisted in the provision of New Flood Lamp for the Tucville ground; Star Party Rentals – Provision of Chairs and Security Lights and Guyana Beverage Company – Provision of refreshment for tournament officials.
Entrance fee is $1,000.
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