Brathwaite’s penalty lifts Uprising to Coca-Coal glory

May 11, 2009 Sports

Imagine never taking a penalty shot for your club, much more being asked to take the decisive one; well that was what Kimba Brathwaite did to good effect as his successful spot kick was responsible for Uprising’s triumph in the final of the Coca-Cola Under-15 football championship against Fruta Conquerors yesterday, at Tucville ground.

The victorious Uprising U-15 players pose with the Coca-Cola trophy and beverages along with Banks DIH officials Jennifer Khan (partly hidden centre) and Carlton Joao (right back row).

After a goalless stalemate in regulation period, the two finalists settled down to decide the winner via penalty kicks and after a combination of poor shooting and excellent goalkeeping which kept the contest on a knife’s edge.

After four kicks and none finding the back of the nets, Brathwaite, son of former national standout Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite, who coached the team, displayed the pure-bred quality and calmness that typified his father during a stellar career, stepped up to the challenge and buried his effort past the Conquerors goalkeeper to send the team’s supporters into premature celebrations.

That left Conquerors with their last kicker and his shot hit the uprights and rebounded onto the field to hand Uprising the right to be called champions of the tournament.

The third place play-off between Santos and Renaissance was decided in unusual fashion after both regulation and extra-time and penalty kicks failed to separate the teams, resulting in a coin toss which the former called right and won.

The teams had closed penalty and sudden death kicks 9-9, before referee Wayne Joseph recommended the coin toss.

Meanwhile, on hand to assist with the presentation of prizes that followed were Coca-Cola Brand Manager Ms. Jennifer Khan and Sales and Marketing Executive Carlton Joao, while Public Relations Officer Troy Peters was also present.

Khan in a short address to the players told them that she was extremely satisfied with the quality of play, adding that even though the final failed to produce goals during regulation time, the penalty shootout provided the spark and applauded the efforts of both sides.

The Most Valuable Player award went to Brathwaite and he received a trophy; highest goal-scorer accolade was won by Conquerors’ Selwyn Williams, while Uprising goalkeeper Devon Charles was adjudged the best player between the uprights.

General Secretary of the Georgetown Football Association Marlan Cole chaired the ceremony, while Lester Sealey gave an overview of the tournament.