What was deemed as one of the biggest football tournaments to ever hit the Marriott Beach front lived up to its expectation on Friday night, as 16 teams competed for $500,000 and bragging rights in the five-a-side Bragging Rights Football tournament.
Part of the ongoing action in the Bragging Rights 5-a-side football tournament
Before the tournament began, the rules were explained by the emcee, who stated that each team would play two preliminary matches, and would play the other two matches on Saturday, and whoever has the highest points would qualify for the semifinals and finals on Sunday.
The matches were fourteen minutes long, with half-time being at seven minutes; and if teams were unable to score in the allotted 14 minutes, the match was then taken into sudden death penalty.
The first match of the night saw Uprising battling Avocado Ballers. The tension was there, and the nerves were clearly evident in the demeanour of the players. After the first minute, the score was 0-0 as both teams attacked from every end.
Eventually half-time came, and the score remained the same. But the game was not over, as one minute after half-time Uprising slipped one in, and held on to that lead as they defeated the mighty Avocado Ballers in the first game.
In the second game, Bent Street took on Hardball. Bent Street received many opportunities to score, as the ball hit the goal post six times, but they were unable to score, or make any conversion.
Hardball, on the other hand, came back just before half time and scored a goal, leaving the total at 1-0, with Bent Street searching for a goal. As time progressed, Bent Street continued to press on, but Hardball’s defence was too much for Bent Street to handle, and they lost the game 0-1 at full time.
In the third match, the youthful Silver Star took on Back Circle. Silver Star took control of the match, scoring the first goal within minutes of play, and maintaining the lead after half time.
But with one minute remaining in the match, Back Circle miraculously scored a goal, equalising the scores and thus taking the match to a penalty shootout, which they lost 2-1.
Another of the matches played on the night saw Old School Ballers vs Gold is Money. The event was a back-and-forth match until the Ballers scored a goal before close of play.
Sparta Boss could not find their rhythm, and lost their two preliminary matches of the night to penalties, leaving some disappointed fans and players. The action continues tonight. (TIMOTHY JAIKARRAN)
