Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 07, 2009 Sports
Bakewell Topp XX became the first major causality of the 6th Annual Mackeson/English/Kashif & Shanghai knockout Futsal competition which kicked off on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
They suffered at the hands city side Riddim Squad 3-2, the most popular victory of the latter’s career to date. Sceyon Hope netted a double for Riddim Squad.
The largest margin of victory was recorded by Uprising who mauled Den Amstel 11-0, Winners Connection downed another West Demerara side, Young Achievers 5-2 and Beacon turned back the challenge of BV triumph United 3-2 in the competition’s first match.
But it was Riddim Squad’s demolition of Topp XX that was the highlight of the opening night when a total of 28 goals were scored in four matches. Riddim Squad found themselves trailing the Bauxite Mining Town team from the first minute when Michael Wills scored. They responded in like manner in the 6th minute but 4 minutes later, Topp XX restored their advantage through a Keon Daniels goal.
The scoreline remained unchanged until the 20th minute when Hope netted the first of his double. Two minutes later he sealed his brace and victory for Riddim Squad.
Uprising, made light work of a rusty looking Den Amstel as they got in much needed target practice. Having recently won the Guinness sponsored Futsal tournament, Uprising had no problems in racking up an easy victory where they allowed all their players to have a run.
Goals came at regular intervals from as early as the 3rd minute, Terrence ‘Old Head’ Lewis starting the goal spree. Daniel Favourite (4, 5, 29) and Ronald La Rose (12, 27, 28) both netted hat-tricks. Dwayne Dickson converted a double (23, 25), O’Riley Small (15) and Devon Dooker one minute later also helped themselves to goals.
Winners Connection kept the Linden teams in the hunt for the top prize of $500,000 with victory over Young Achievers (5-2) who drew first blood. Dion Kennedy found the back of Winners’ goal five minutes into the game but the Linden side responded 3 minutes later through Shawn Gittens, his first of three in the game.
As a matter of fact, Winners got so warmed up that they put the game beyond the reach of Achievers in style. Gittens was again on target in the 9th and 18th minute. His dominance of the goal was broken by teammate Harold Davis in the 14th minute, Rawle Gittens sealing the deal in the 26th. Kennedy helped himself to a brace with his second goal which came in the 20th minute but by then, Winners were already sitting comfortable.
The competition’s opening game had to be decided in extra time. BV, who played well for the most part, eased into the lead from the 10 yard penalty spot, a powerful shot by Sean Daniels which beat goalkeeper Shawn Johnson to his left, ending in the V.
Beacon took quite some time to settle in while BV continued to dominate missing some clear chances. Nigel Denny with the first of his double in the 20th minute pulled his team on even keel with BV but the East Coast side reclaimed the lead one minute later, again, from the 10 yard penalty spot, in both instances, Beacon in foul trouble.
Like Daniels, Colin Jones made no mistake in converting. But again Denny came to the rescue of his team by cancelling out BV’s advantage a mere one minute later. The game ended with the score locked at 2-2 which prompted extra time of six minutes, two equal halves of three.
Shawn Morris wasted no time in putting Beacon ahead early with goal in the 31st minute, one minute into the extra time period. Chances were created by both teams but neither was able to make them count.
So Riddim Squad, Winners Connection, Uprising and Beacon are through to the group of 16. Four more teams will walk the plank this evening when play continues.
Thomas United face Cougars, Fruta Conquerors oppose Timehri Panthers, Pele square off with Golden Star and Flamingo oppose Uitvlugt. A number of exhibition games will also be contested.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony had earlier declared the competition open and did the ceremonial kick off of the ball. In his feature remarks, he called for more football to be played in every community of Guyana.
Dr. Anthony noted that Guyana abounds with players of excellent ability that can compete on the regional and international scene.
The Minister said he would like to see all the relevant stakeholders working together to promote the development of the sport in Guyana. “All must be involved in this regard. Football is a sport that brings people together and I would like to see people working and doing things together.”
While complimenting the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation and ‘English’ for organising the tournament, Dr. Anthony made a call for more competitions of this nature to be played among the different age groups.
Kashif Muhammad in his brief remarks thanked the Ministry of Sports, sponsors, spectators and players for their continued support. “I also wish to acknowledge the role of the Guyana Football Federation in this event and at the same time to wish the Federation success in its management of the new Super League.”
“Thirty two teams will be competing for one million dollars in prize money. From our vantage point as organisers we wish all of the participating teams the best; what we are more concerned about, however, is the spirit in which the games are played, the discipline demonstrated by players and fans alike and the quality of the entertainment afforded those fans who will come to witness the tournament. Those are the things that matter most to us and to football as a whole.”
Ansa McAl Trading Marketing Representative Anjeta Hinds congratulated the organisers and teams while noting that her company was very pleased to be the main sponsor of the event.
GFF Second Vice President Franklin Wilson also congratulated all involved while imposing on the players the need to be disciplined, respectful to themselves, fellow peers and opponents. Wilson also encouraged the players to respect the decisions of the referees and to play the game in the true spirit of Fair Play, one of the main pillars of the sport.
Photos saved on server as Sceyon Hope and Mackeson futsal 09.
038: Uprising’s Terrence ‘Old Head’ Lewis (No. 4) working in tandem with O’Riley Small in their 11-0 demolition of Den Amstel on Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. (Franklin Wilson photo).
048: This Riddim Squad player (with ball) is closely monitored by Bakewell Topp XX’s Michael Wills (right) in their Futsal clash on Saturday. Riddim Squad prevailed 3-2. (Franklin Wilson photo).
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]