Defending champions Sparta Boss set for three peat

– heartbreak for Leopold Street

In the second semi-final of the Georgetown Zone Guinness “Greatest of the Streets”, played between defending Champions Sparta Boss and Leopold Street, it was heartbreak for the latter and relief for the former after 48 minutes of intense futsal action.
Played at the Burnham Court at the corners of Carmichael and Middle Street, Sparta Boss was besieged by the vibrant Leopold Street outfit led by their tenacious captain Okanie Fraser. However Sparta held their nerve and even counter attacked their opposition only to be repelled repeatedly as veteran striker Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson cut a frustrated figure for most of the match.
After normal time failed to produce any goals, it was down to extra time with two halves of four minutes each. It was here that Leopold Street held Sparta at ransom peppering their goal with shots every moment they had possession of the ball.
Sparta Boss showed why they are the most decorated futsal team in the country as they held their nerve and defended to the end.

It came to penalty kicks and Sparta had first go with two tries from the spot. The first was a strike clean and pure to the relief of the Sparta fans but the seconds went just wide.
Up next it was Leopold Street’s turn and to the dismay of teammates and fans alike, the first kick missed. The trend continued as Okanie Fraser sent his penalty wide to his disbelief as his side suffered heartbreak.
Speaking after his team’s victory, Richardson noted that all good teams go through “bad patches” and for Sparta it was no different, however he pointed out that his team will head into the final full of confidence and he’ll do his talking on the field.
The two times defending champions Sparta will now face a resurgent Gold is Money in the final at Demerara Park on Saturday (December 16) while Leopold Street will face Bent Street in the third place play-off. The winning team of the Georgetown Zone will cart off $500,000 and book an automatic berth in the National Playoffs of the competition.
(Michelangelo Jacobus)