Bent Street, Back Circle, Tiger Bay, Future Stars book semi-final spots

Corona Futsal Tournament…

By Jemima Holmes

Four ward teams are now one step closer to getting their hands on half a million dollars after the quarter-finals of the Corona Futsal Tournament 2019 saw keen competition from the remaining teams on Monday night.
With eight big names scheduled to compete in the quarter-finals, the night’s action did not disappoint with a number of thrills which kept the hundreds of spectators on the edge of their seats in the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
The first encounter of the night set the tempo for what was to come, as Future Stars and West Front Road went down to penalties to decide a winner.
Andy Duke of West Front Road was the lone marksman to hit the goal in the first half which gave his team some confidence against the ominous Future Stars; however, the second half had other things in store. West Front Road could not find the back of the goal again to extend their lead and became even more frustrated when Daniel Ross levelled the score for Future Stars in the 17th minute. A successful shot from Colin Nelson gave West the lead again before Randel Bowman equalised just before regulation time was called.
Extra time bore no fruit and as such, the encounter went to the penalty line. Here, each striker found the back of the net, except for West Front Road’s final player which allowed Future Stars to advance.
With their coach missing from the sidelines on such a crucial night, the Bent Street outfit were determined to take home a win in his honour. A slow start saw the first goal being scored in the 10th minute by Seldon Holder. The Bent Street lead was soon squashed by Meshaka Barrat, who caught the goalkeeper slipping and eased an equaliser in.
The levelled score seemed to lift the spirits of the California Square squad, but they never really got into the game. A brace from Pernel Schultz in the 14th and 17th minutes respectively extended Bent Street’s lead against the lacklustre California Square. Daniel Wilson added salt to their wounds with a final goal in the 20th minute for the 4-1 win.
Back Circle were the next team to taste victory in the quarter-final round after their encounter with North East La Penitence. A game that was evenly contested in the first half quickly slipped away from North East in the second after national player Trayon Bobb did some damage.
North East’s Keifer Bradt drew first blood in the fourth minute to give his team the lead. The excitement was short-lived as Dellon Kelly of Back Circle equalised a minute later and Bobb netted his first goal subsequently in the sixth minute.
With the score 2-1 at the half, North East had every opportunity to equalise and even take the lead, but those attempts were squandered. Bobb, however, made no mistakes and completed his hat-trick with goals in the 16th and 19th minutes. Another goal from Stephen Williams in the 18th sealed Back Circle’s 5-2 win.
The biggest upset of the night was without a doubt saved for last, as Tiger Bay did the unthinkable. Sparta Boss, who are renowned in the futsal arena and were featured in last year’s final, found themselves backed into a corner by the determined Tiger Bay outfit.
The tension from the deadlocked game moved many fans to their feet as they eagerly awaited the first goal of the game. They were made to wait the entirety of regulation time to see such, as Tiger Bay’s Deon Alfred broke the chains in the second minute of extra time. Another goal from Alfred and Isaiah Andrew, both in the 24th minute, allowed Tiger Bay to hold on to a 3-0 lead.
It was at this moment that Gregory Richardson got into gear and found the back of the net. Eusi Phillips did the same in the 26th minute to move the score to 3-2, but Tiger Bay’s Leon Gravesande further extended it to 4-2 with another goal. A hopeful strike from Jeremy Garrett found the back of the net, but his 29th minute goal was not enough to mend the damage Tiger Bay had already done. Sparta Boss were sent packing with the 4-3 loss.
Bent Street, Back Circle, Tiger Bay and Future Stars will battle on Saturday, June 1 for a spot in the Corona final.