Sparta Boss will start tonight’s Corona Futsal Tournament as defending champions, albeit the tournament carried a different flagship last year and the attention will be can they retain their crown when action commences tonight at the National Gymnasium.
The tournament which is the brainchild of Petra Organisation and is also being held in collaboration with NAMILCO Wheat Gem, saw Sparta win the crown in the competition’s second year after an engrossing final with Back Circle which wowed the capacity crowd at the Gymnasium.
The likes of Gregory Richardson will again be the back bone of one the country’s top futsal teams in this year Corona Tournament
Though history and the ability to rise on the big stage rest in their favour, other teams have come equally adapt which throws this tournament wide open. It was evident in a just concluded tournament where Sparta were showed they are no longer the boss by Bent Street in the final.
With new acquisitions like Jermin Junior, Quincy Adams and Jeremy Garrett, the team is still building to find their every-flowing synergy of the past.
Bent Street on the other hand have added the talented Pernell Schultz to unit that included Daniel Wilson, Kelsey Benjamin and Ryan Hackett.
More so, the Edwards brothers, Raphael and Dennis have been reunited at Tucville, which should contain the likes of Nicholas McArthur and Delon Williams.
Other teams that fans should keep an eye out for include Alpha Warriors who have required the talismanic Job Caesar while Delon Lanferman is expected to suit up for YMCA-All Stars; Californa Square is also set to assembling a star squadron.
Meanwhile, tonight’s fixtures will see Plaisance face Mocha from 19:00h followed by Future Stars being pitted against Team Xtreme from 19:50h. YMCA will battle Albouystown from 20:40h. Leopold Street and Alexander Village will then duel from 21:30h after which Back Circle and Broad Street lock horns at 22:20h; the show closer will be Sparta against a youthful Tiger Bay a from 23:15h.
The lucrative tournament sees the winning purse being $600,000 and the championship trophy. Second to fourth will take home $300,000, $150,000 and $75,000 along with the corresponding accolades.
More so, with teams being split into six groups of four, the battle will not be just to progress to the knock-out stages but cop the group prizes; $40,000 for first place team, $30,000, $20,000 and $10,000 will be awarded to second to fourth-place group teams.
The next match day is scheduled for February 27 and fans will be reminded a Hero Motorcycle will be awarded to a lucky spectator and the Most Valuable Player at the grand finals on Easter Saturday, March 31.
