Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 01, 2016 Sports
Mahaica face Victoria in 3rd place match; RDX for live show
The second edition of the Stag Super XVI knockout football tournament is set for a dream emphatic climax this evening at the Golden Grove ground, East Coast Demerara with the grand final between defending champion Grove Hi Tech (East Bank FA) and last year’s beaten finalists, Ann’s Grove United (East Demerara FA).
The third place match features Victoria Kings and Mahaica Determinators; the final will be followed by a live show featuring Jamaican artiste RDX along with a number of local singers including Shelly G.
With a total of two million dollars at stake in the championship match, $1.5M for the winner and $500,000 for the loser, fans, which turned out in their numbers on semifinal night, December 29th last at the same venue are in for a humdinger of a finish to this tournament.
Grove, despite being without the services of last year’s joint leading goal scorer and tournament MVP Domini Garnett, have showed grit and fight in advancing to back to back finals and will have the opportunity to put their stamp on the three-association tournament which also involved teams from the West Demerara Football Association.
Their {Grove Hi Tech} passage to the final was not a walk in the park as their first match was decided on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie with Golden Stars. In their quarter final game they took care of Pouderoyen 2-0 and were pushed all the way against Victoria Kings whom they eventually beat 3-1 in extra time in the second semi final.
The leading East Bank side should be primed for tonight’s showdown with old rival Ann’s Grove who they trounced 5-0 in the inaugural final. The defending champions have scored a total of seven goals while conceding three.
Teaming up with the hope of taking their side to championship glory once again would be Orson Francois, Denzil Crawford, Lloyd Matthews, Akeem Jones, Romel Matthews and Dexter Archer who have all scored once so far; underscoring the fact that it has been lots of team work.
Their approach which has been businesslike is expected to be no different. But coming up against a side that has sneaked into the final by default will be no easy challenge since the Ann’s Grove side would have a beef to settle.
Ann’s Grove defeated two West Demerara teams, Eagles (2-1) and Beavers (4-0) in easing to the semi-final when they were upset by Mahaica Determinators on penalty kicks 4-3 after a 0-0 stalemate. Mahaica orchestrated their own demise by playing an unregistered player.
Ann’s Grove will have to pull out all the stops in order to halt the championships hungry Grove Hi Tech side. Playing at home will be a plus for Ann’s Grove but the East Bank side has proved twice that they are capable of spoiling the home party.
Shafeer Sanichar who has scored twice to date will certainly be one of the main players for Ann’s Grove tonight as will Jamain Rogers, Anil Hernandez, Kevon Barry and Andrew Murray who have all found the back of the nets.
This final has all the ingredients for an explosive showdown and fans will no doubt be out in their numbers to absorb.
The third place game between Victoria Kings and Mahaica has a total of $500,000 at stake with $300,000 going to the winner. Both teams played tough football throughout the tournament and in the semi final and will be aiming to end the competition on a high.
Kings will turn to their experienced soldiers in the form of Calvin DeSouza, Winston Pompey and Aubrey Gibson to lead their victory bid which will also include Alden Lawrence who has a double to his credit so far.
Quincy Holder, Samuel Charles, Eion Abel, Captain Shameer Nazir, Dillon Charles, Andrew Williams, Azumah and Kurt Roberts will all be fancying their chances of pulling off another big win with their win over Ann’s Grove still fresh in their memories.
Following the end of the on field proceedings, fans will then turn their attention to the after show that has been organised by tournament sponsor, Ansa McAl. Jamaican artiste RDX will headline the show and will be supported by a number of local artistes’s including Shelly G among others.
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