Beterverwagting B are new East Coast Champions

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Futsal Tournament…

By Akeem Greene

Beterverwagting (BV) B were crowned champions of the East Coast Demerara Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Futsal Tournament on Sunday at the Haslington Market Tarmac after edging North Haslington 1-0 in extra time.

With a boisterous crowd support for both teams, BV B looked to take the early offensive play but the home side were relentless in making sure their defence was not breached.

By all accounts it seemed that the game would need penalty kicks to decide the winner, but Stephen Miller managed to get the ball inside the box after he pounced on a loose ball and gave it simple tap from the left side in the 39th minute.

The win means BV B pocket $250,000 and the championship trophy and more so, they will be representing East Coast at the National Play-offs. On the other hand, runners-up North Haslington collected $150,000 and the second-placed trophy.

The third place play-off between Melanie A and Plaisance B was also decided by a lone goal with Melanie B winning 1-0 thanks to a Rondel Assanah shot on target in the 30th minute. Melanie A received $100,000 and fourth placed Plasiance $50,000 and the respective trophies.

After three days of intense matches, Banks DIH Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste expressed pleasure with the large attendance of the matches and the level of skill demonstrated by players.

“As you know this tournament was scheduled to be sometime in March but because of the Jubilee celebrations we extended the time; the response has been tremendous, last year we could not have asked for a better turn out but this year it was even better,” Baptiste explained.

The Guinness Brand Manager added, “It was competition from day one, all the teams that took part played hard, especially BV B who won the tournament”.

The focus now shifts to the national play-offs which be held at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac on Wednesday and Friday to selected the team that will represent Guyana at the Regional Champions in St. Lucia.

The play-offs will feature three teams from Georgetown, two from Linden, two from West Demerara and one from the East Coast of Demerara.