Botofago, Dynamic book semifinal spots

KFC “Independence Cup”

Dynamic FC and Botofago FC are the first two teams to have played their way into the KFC ‘Independence Cup’ Under-20 Intra Association tournament, after a day of scintillating football at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Centre at Providence, EBD.

When the first two quarter-final games were staged on Saturday, the venue was packed to capacity with expectant supporters who wanted to see their team through to next weekend’s semifinal.
Dynamic FC trounced New Amsterdam United in the first encounter of the day for a spirited 3-0 win. New Amsterdam did well to keep Dynamic at bay for the first half of the game, but after what seemed like an inspirational pep talk from Coach Dwayne Jacobs at half time, Dynamic entered the second half more determined than ever.
Dynamic’s Abguyl Henry first found the back of the net, in the 73rd minute of play. Then Shamar Dublin did likewise in the 86th, and Keon Williams followed suit in the final minute of play to push the score to 3-0 for a convincing Dynamic victory.
The second game saw Timehri Panthers FC locked in a determined duel with Linden’s Botofago FC, which they lost by just one goal.
Botofago’s Andre Mayers opened the scoring in the 42nd, to give his team the advantage at the half, but Ernest Mc Lean evened things up with a strike in the 66th.
Botofago then had a scare when Shannon Samnauth pushed Timehri’s lead to two after he found the back of the net in the 72nd, but Jamaine Kingston nullified that lead in the 77th.
With the game being played with scores deadlocked for some time, extra time seemed the logical determinant, but a chance taken by Leon Jones with the time on 90+1 saw Botofago sealing their semifinal appearance.
The Inaugural KFC Independence Cup continues today at the National Training Centre at Providence with Santos FC taking on Strikers FC at 13:00hrs, and a monumental clash between Fruta Conquerors and Buxton United coming up at 15:30hrs.
The winner of the tournament will cart off $500,000, while second-placed team wins $300,000, and third-placed pockets $200,000. The tournament’s top four finishers would also each receive a trophy and medals.
The semifinal matches are set for next Saturday, with the third-place playoff and the finale set for July 1.