‘One Guyana’ National Futsal Championships: Quarterfinal fixtures decided after riveting Round-of-16

The second phase of the Kashif and Shanghai-organized ‘One Guyana’ National Futsal Championship Round-of-16 action took place on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 and was witnessed by animated supporters at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.
Mackenzie All Stars secured their quarterfinal place by defeating New Amsterdam United 4-3. Mackenzie All Stars’ Nicolas Gentle netted the opener in just the 2nd minute of the game, and Mackenzie continued to penetrate NA United with goals from Douquan Wilson in the 7th and Jashawn Moore in the 16th.
NA United held their composure, and were able to reciprocate with goals coming of the boots of Justin Williams in the 20th, Mark Alfred in the 23rd, and the equalizer from Seon Wrong three minutes after. With fans on the edges of their seats, Amuniki Buntin scored the captivating game winner for Mackenzie All Stars in the 35th.
Sparta Boss, winners of the Kashif and Shanghai Year End Futsal Championship in 2021, demonstrated their class with a 7-1 performance against Festival City. A sensational goal strike came from Ryan Hackett in the 7th minute, followed by a double from Jermain Junor in the 10th and 30th, Kelsey Benjamin in the 18th, and Nicolas McArthur in the 39th. Jermaine Padmore netted the consolation goal for Festival City.

Northeast won 4-3 through kicks from the spot against Ballers Empire. The scores were level at full time 2-2 with astonishing goals.
Back Circle put in a remarkable performance against Gold Is Money to advance to the quarterfinal on the back of a 6–2 win. Gold is Money started the scoring with a double from Jamal Pedro in 12th and 16th, but went on to score an unfortunate own goal in the 18th. Back Circle used that own goal as their motivation for a phenomenal comeback.

Back Circle’s goals came off the boots of Amos Ramsay in the 21st and 28th, Jamaine Beckles in the 25th, and Simeon Moore and Jamal Cozier in the 30th.
Kitty thumped BV in a very tense 3-2 clash, which had spectators anxious until the final whistle. Kitty’s Stephan Reynolds started the scoring with a goal in the 7th minute of the game, and BV’s Ian Dooker managed to equalize in the 11th. It was not until the 41st that Reynolds responded with another strike, and the equalizing goal was again scored by Dooker. However, Reynolds sealed the winning goal and his hattrick in the 48th.
The quarterfinal action of this tournament will commence today, Thursday, at the same venue. Four matches will be played, with Stabroek Ballers opposing Bent Street, North East taking on California Square, Mackenzie All Stars battling Back Circle, and Sparta Boss locking horns with Kitty. The semifinal round is set for Saturday, May 13, 2023.
Meanwhile, the final is set to be hosted on Saturday, May 20, 2023 with the champions winning $1M. The second-place team will pocket 500,000, while $200,000 and $100,000 will go to the teams finishing third and fourth respectively. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) would be receiving a motorcycle.