Chung Global ‘Champion of Champions’ Futsal: Giant killers North Ruimveldt to battle powerhouses Gold is Money for crown

In what can potentially be scripted as the story of the greatest underdog triumph in the history of local futsal, giant killers North Ruimveldt will battle traditional heavyweights Gold is Money in the final game of the inaugural Chung Global ‘Champion of Champions’ tournament.
This encounter, to be played this evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, will put the awesome offensive might of Gold is Money against the dogged defensive skills of a youthful North Ruimveldt unit, which has produced a fairytale run to the final and is one obstacle away from claiming an unlikely and unprecedented championship in what is a maiden appearance in a major futsal finale.
North Ruimveldt have secured their place in the final by defeating North East La Penitence, and are also responsible for powerhouses Sparta Boss and Back Circle exiting the tournament through defeats they administered them in previous rounds.
Considered the ‘dark horse’ of the tournament, North Ruimveldt has recorded 11 offensive conversions, and defensively has allowed only two goals in the entirety of this tournament, the one that occurred in the elimination round being the best recorded in the event. This is indicative of a team that has quality on both sides of the field, but another sublime performance would be required from their high-energy defence if they are to emerge from this encounter victorious.

Gold is Money will enter this match as firm favourites following a 4-0 thrashing of futsal wizards Stabroek Ballers. Offensively, this West Virginia-based outfit has tallied a tournament-leading 15 conversions, which highlights the quality of their roster in the final third. However, doubts persist concerning their defense, as they have conceded four times in the tournament. They would certainly require radical improvement of their defensive strategy if they are to prevail this evening.
Tournament coordinator Troy Lambert has said, “This evening will decide whether a traditional giant and the status quo reign supreme, or an underdog ascends to the throne. This final has to be the most unexpected championship match in recent history. It was billed as competitive, and that is evidently the case, given the teams that made the semifinal round. Sparta Boss, Bent Street and Back Circle fell at the previous hurdles, two of whom lost to North Ruimveldt. I’m very proud that the tournament was able to produce unexpected and thrilling results, and this shows that this format is evolving and teams are improving. Given the nature of the event, it is impossible to predict a winner, and I am anticipating a thrilling final.”
Meanwhile, North East La Penitence and Stabroek Ballers will battle in the third-place playoff prior to the epic final game of this tournament.
Moreover, the GT Kanaimas would confront the Guyana Police Force in a women’s encounter, while Bent Street A and Back Circle A would match skills in an exhibition encounter.
Exhibition fixtures will also be conducted between Bent Street B and Back Circle B, and between Laing Avenue and Leopold Street in the U16 division.
The winner of this evening’s epic event will pocket $1M and the championship trophy, while the second-, third-, and fourth-placed finishers would respectively receive $500,000, $300,000, and $200,000 and the corresponding accolades.
On the individual side, prizes would also be given to the highest goal-scorer, most valuable player, best defender, and goalkeeper respectively.

Complete Fixtures
20:00hrs: Leopold U16 vs Laing Avenue U16
20:30hrs: Bent Street B vs Back Circle B
21:00hrs: Bent Street A vs Back Circle A
21:30hrs: Stabroek Ballers vs North East La Penitence
22:00hrs: Women’s final – GT Kanaimas vs Police
22:30hrs: Gold is Money vs North Ruimveldt