The race is on for the two championship game slots in 21st K&S

Dec 29, 2010 Sports

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Sunburst Camptown, Pele, Alpha & Bakewell Topp XX contesting

They have all lifted the championship trophy before so they know the feelings all too well. This evening at the National Stadium, Providence, the atmosphere is expected to be dazzling but tense at times as the semifinals of the 21st Edition of the Kashif & Shanghai Knock-Out Football Tournament are contested.
The Pride of Linden, as has been the trend of the past, Bakewell Topp XX is the only non City team left standing and is set to take on the pride of the City, Alpha United in the first semifinal.
This clash will be followed by Sunburst Camptown coming up against Pele; a number of current national players will be on show as they seek to take their respective teams all the way.
The first game tonight at 16:00hrs will see the National Under-20 team taking on Fruta Conquerors in another warm up game ahead of their CFU campaign. They drew with Rosignol United 2-2 on Monday afternoon at the same venue.
When Pele and Camptown faced off in the 2008/2009 final, Pele won their first championship ever and will be fancying their chances of going all the way again but will find that Camptown remains a very determined unit that never give up.
Making a welcome return to vintage form for Camptown, who won the championship in 1993/1994 and 2003/2004, is forward and Captain Nigel ‘Powers’ Codrington and along with Devon Forde forms a potent duo for any defence as Western Tigers found out on Monday night.
Veteran midfielder Troy ‘Bugs’ Prescod, Reshawn Sandiford, Orlando Gilgeous Lance Rolston, Leon Muir, Kester Allen and Linden Dennis in goal will hope to be in tip top shape mentally, tactically and technically to deliver for their team once again.
Head Coach Joseph Wilson said they will play with the same intensity again and will leave nothing to chance against Pele.  “We know that we will have our work cut out against Pele but we will be at full throttle for this game. We have the players to deliver for us; they have been committed and making the extra effort in our previous games and look forward to the same trend continuing.”
Camptown got past Bartica’s Liquid Gold by the odd goal in three and turned back the challenge of defending champs BK International Western Tigers 3-2 on Monday night.
Pele’s Coach Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite in comments stated that the stronger the opposition gets, his charges ups their intensity referring to their game against Fruta Conquerors where they did not play a solid game.
“We will be focusing on attack and aiming to click in every department necessary. Camptown is a determined team and we expect them to be tough but Pele is the team to beat. I expect a very good game.
Captain Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson will again be at the helm for Pele backed up by the nippy Devon Millington in attack. Travis Grant and company will lead the midfield while the resolute Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard will take charge of the back along with Dirk Archer and Quincy Adams among others.
While based on records, one might be tempted to give Topp XX the edge, Alpha have been the dominant team in Guyana over the past few years and were defeated in the last final by BK International Western Tigers. They {Alpha} also lost to Topp XX in the 2005/2006 championship game before taking the crown in 2007/2008 when they returned the favour to Topp XX.
This showdown will be an exciting duel between two sides being coached by very good buddies at the National level. Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover is in charge of Alpha while Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules is at the helm of Topp XX.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Dover said that his boys are confident of doing well and he expects to win the game. “We are confident but will be guarding against complacency and over confidence. Topp XX is a good team and we are aware of what they can do. They play with a lot of intensity and that was evident against the GDF; we don’t expect them to play any different against us.”
Dover said he would implore upon his players the need to be disciplined and maintain good organisation against the opposition.
Captain Howard Lowe, Grenadian forward Kithson Bain, Anthony Abrams, Dwight Peters, Shawn Bishop, Brazilians Clayton De Lima and Claudio Da Silva are some of the names that are responsible for Alpha’s unbeaten run so far.
Alpha has displayed a no nonsense game against the teams they have knocked-out so far, trouncing Seawall United 6-0 and Netrockers 5-1. Topp XX has chalked up 3 wins so far having not been in the group-of-16 draw. They disposed of Ann’s Grove 2-1, Caribbean United 2-0 and the Guyana Defence Force 2-1.
Speaking on behalf of Bakewell Topp XX, Lincoln Zephyr said the mood in the camp is very good and that they are prepared and focused on the task of beating Alpha United.
“We have been there before and we are working on the challenge of being fully prepared mentally. We are not afraid of Alpha; we respect them as a team but we will be playing football for the full 90 minutes or more. We have quality players that can match those in Alpha.”
Zephyr noted that it will be a tough game against Alpha and they know which department would have to click for them to get past their opponents. The likes of Travis Waterton who scored the winner against the GDF, Kayode McKinnon, Quacy Johnson, Kennard Simon, Trenton Bangree, Michael Crandon, Javin Crawford and the reliable Richard Reynolds in goal will be leading Topp XX’s challenge.

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