Latest update May 3rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 10, 2010 Sports
By Michael Benjamin
Some football buffs argue that the most important players on a football team are the defenders since a strong defensive lineup curtails the volume of goals scored against the team. Others reason that the strikers are the potent force that separates the team from ignominious defeat. Still others argue for the midfield position and the debate rages. The theatrics of goalkeeper, Derrick Carter between the uprights changed the dynamics of the debate and the skeptics are now arguing that the role of the goalkeeper is just as important as the strikers, midfielders or the defenders. Indeed, Carter has strengthened this view.
The Kashif and Shanghai Football tournament has culminated some two weeks ago with BK International Western Tigers roaring their way to their first title at this level. For the ‘Tigers,’ it was an arduous journey that started at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground with a 4-0 drubbing of Victoria Kings and culminated with a 2-1 victory over tournament favourites, Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United FC at the National Stadium, Providence. In between those two victories ‘The Tigers’ defeated Top XX (2-1) and Pele (3-1), on penalty kicks.
Even the most ardent critic of the Western Tigers FC would admit that the eventual winners were definitely a cut above the other teams. Maybe the most defining moment for the Tigers occurred in their semi-final encounter against Pele. The opposition fielded an impressive line up with such names as Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard, Captain Dirk Archer and the list goes on. The Tigers, not to be outdone fielded a side that sported the likes of captain, Dillon Fraser, who also shored up the defence, striker Devon Millington, midfielder Shawn Beveney, striker Eron Hayde and former national captain and midfielder Christopher Giles among others.
While the captain has been commended for adroitly piloting his men to the coveted title, it turned out that the most unlikely person eventually made the difference for the Tigers, pulling off a miraculous victory after their semi-final game went into extra time and eventually penalty kicks. That hero is 27 years old Derrick Carter who commenced his career in 1990 as a striker at the Tigers club in his hometown, West Ruimveldt.
Indeed, it was a moment of nostalgia for the young goalkeeper who was still basking in the throes of ecstasy when this journalist spoke with him one week after the momentous win.
He was lounging at the barbershop operated by his captain Dillon Fraser and consented to a short interview with this journalist. From time to time he replays the scene of those decisive moments in his mind when the game had progressed into a penalty shootout.
The boisterous crowd was momentarily silent as Konata Manning strolled up to the penalty spot in the first attempt for Pele. Carter crouched between the uprights waited patiently for the strike. Manning measured his distance and then powerfully struck the ball. Carter flung his body to the right and intercepted the ball amidst the roar of the crowd. He barely had time to enjoy the moment when the referee declared that the shot was improperly taken. It meant that Carter’s efforts were reduced to naught. He assumed his position once again in anticipation of Manning’s second attempt. Manning’s repeated his theatrics moments before he once again kicked the ball. Unbelievably, Carter once again repeated the feat, flinging himself to the right thwarting Manning’s efforts. Twice he performed this feat also blocking Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant’s shot, while Mervin Joseph’s went wide of the post. Carter’s superb antics catapulted his team to the finals against Alpha United FC.
Carter inherited the football genes from his father, Anthony Carter, a former national player. Despite coming from such ‘good stock’ Carter admits that he had meager success at the initial part of his career. “I felt as though I was wasting my time in Western because I was not even able to earn a bench position,” he disclosed.
He decided to leave the Tigers and joined forces with Santos FC. “My decision to move over to Santos was to get some playing time,” intimated Carter. It was at the Santos FC that he started to hone his goalkeeping skills. But nostalgia soon kicked in and before he knew it Carter was back to the place where he belonged — The Western Tigers FC. By now he had asserted himself in the goal and nurtured dreams of establishing himself between the uprights.
In 2005 he received a call up for trials for a place on the national team. The young man said he cannot remember which country was visiting but vaguely recollects that it was either Grenada or Dominica. He remembers training diligently in the hopes of making the final squad. He also remembers the sorrowful experience of omission from the national squad. “That experience shattered my ego but with my dreams of becoming a competent goalkeeper remained firmly entrenched in my psyche,” he said.
It was an arduous journey that was laden with challenges and disappointments. Coupled with that, Carter had to compete against the skills of two other goalkeepers in the Western Tigers FC. I refused to quit because deep in my breast I knew that I not only had the potential but also the determination to succeed,” he stated.
Indeed, following his two historic saves, the road to success has been slightly widened for Carter and he has finally begun to see a light in the horizon. His theatrics in the goal did not go unrewarded. He was adjudged the most outstanding goalkeeper and later returned to collect another trophy for being the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He was aptly rewarded with a beautiful trophy for the first award and a 125 Jailing Motor Cycle for the second.
Carter’s captain, Dillon Fraser is extremely proud of him. “We have had a team of footballers playing as a unit but in the end it was Carter that made the difference,” he said. His achievement was certainly not isolated as his team also clinched the prize for the Best defensive team having conceded just one goal in the tournament, the best defender prize, won by the captain and the award for the most improved player (Colin Nelson).
Despite sweeping the awards, the Tigers had to work exceptionally hard to accomplish this task. Fraser said that during the draws to compile the fixtures his team was placed in a tough group. “All of the teams that we played against were former champions so we knew we had our work cut out for us if we were to win the tournament,” he said.
He also said that the Topp XX team presented their stiffest challenge. “We managed to surge ahead 1-0 at the end of the first half but we could not rest comfortably knowing the ability of the Topp XX squad,” Dillon said. True to his prediction Collie Hercules struck twenty minutes into the second stanza to equalize the situation.
The determined Tigers were not prepared to give up easily and their striker, Devon Millington responded with a 70th minute scorcher that eventually proved to be decisive. “It was a tough tournament but what was important was our belief that we could have won,” said Carter. His captain conceded, “We were well prepared for this tournament and the entire team displayed grit and determination which in the end separated the contenders from the champions.”
The tournament is now over but the victory is so momentous that one week is far too soon for the feeling of ecstasy to just dissipate. As a matter of fact, the memories of that historic victory would remain with every player of the Western Tigers FC for years to come.
Now that he has accomplished the task of winning the prestigious K&S accolade, Fraser now sets his eyes on the National League trophy. “We regard this as the symbol of excellence and would endeavour to add that trophy to our collection this year,” said the captain.
Two weeks ago, this claim would have been dismissed as ludicrous. The sterling performance of the Western United team in the last K&S extravaganza now has the pundits nurturing second thoughts.
THEM PIMPING OUT GUYANA.
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