New Era Entertainment Cell Smart Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal Tournament…
The 3rd Annual New Era Entertainment Cell Smart Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal tournament began with over 20 of the best 5-a-side players in the country and now, the opportunity to taste glory is at the doorstep of four teams as Good Fellas and Hard Knocks Empire entered the semi finals after winning on Saturday.
They join defending champions Magic Stars and Hustlers in the penultimate round of the competition.
At the McKenzie Sports Club hard court tarmac, the inclement weather did not stop the futsal fanatics from coming out in their numbers, getting behind their favourite teams with every goal sending the gyrating crowd into celebration and dismay in some cases.
In the first of three matches on the cold night, Lindeners got behind their home side Good Fellas who played a touring Customs United out of Georgetown. Utter silence transcended throughout the crowd as Customs stunned Good Fellas when Daniel Wilson gave Customs the early lead four minutes into the match. A string of good ball passing between Customs resulted in them accumulating more ball handing points and a few shots at the Good Fellas’ goalkeeper but he held his nerve to stop the carnage as Good Fellas looked as if they were playing on ice, sliding and slipping constantly.
However, last year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and leader of Good Fellas, Clarence ‘Shark’ huggins capitalized on a lazy pass by the Customs men, allowing Shark to turn and blast the equalizer in the 16th to much relief of the crowd. With a number of fouls both teams were able to avoid the penalty and closed the first half with the score deadlocked 1-1.
Meanwhile in the second half, Deshawn Joseph found his foot and worked past the Customs defence to ease in the ball to the back of the net in the 22th but in the 35th Wilson equalized the game.
One minute later, Joseph scored his second of the night which proved to be enough to send Customs packing out of the tournament.
Many fans will be at odds as Good Fellas will now play Hustlers in the first semi finals on Friday Both teams have earned a large fan base throughout the tournament and it will be exciting to see if the crowds will take a side of just be supportive of a good match.
On the other hand, in the second match of the night, a 10-minute lash out between the ladies of the Demerara Queens team who entertained with their skills as they prepare for a full entry into the tournament next year.
The ladies of Demerara Queens with Collin Aaron (Center)Clarence “shark” Huggins (Red Shirt) tries to break through the defense of Customs
In the final match of the night, Hard Knocks Empire continued their impressive run as they defeated the challenge of Silvertown Hustlers 7-3.
Both teams have been unpredictable in the tournament with Empire having had a 13-year-old star the show to Silvertown scoring four goals in 60 seconds but on the night that determined the progression into the semi final, Trenton Lashley marked his name on the scoreboard in the 10’ while Calvin Drakes scored two minutes later to have Empire leading strong. Lashley secured his second goal in four minutes before the end of the first half but Allan Reece soon replied to keep Silvertown alive, closing the first half with the score 3-1.
In the second half, a wayward pass allowed Reece to make good of a blunder by the goalkeeper and tapped in the faintest of goals for the tournament just two minutes into the second half.
Drakes however, opened the tank and set three bombs rocketing at the back of the Silvertown net all within four minutes to have the score stand at 6-2 by the 34’.
Marlon Bishop found little glory in a consolation goal in the 37’ but was of little significance as Kevin Beaton scored the seventh goal for Empire in the 39’ to see his team through to the semi-final.
It will not be smooth sailing for Empire as they will now come up against defending champions, Magic Stars in the second semi-final on Friday.
The action returns to the same venue with the four teams trying to win the first prize of $400,000 along with trophies and replicas, as well as second place $150,000 and trophy, third $75,000 and trophy and fourth, a trophy.
Other prizes are on offer for the MVP, Best goalkeeper and Best young player.
