“One Guyana” National Futsal Championships”: Sparta Boss, Lady Canaimas crowned Champions

Sparta Boss and Lady Canaimas on Friday emerged as dominant forces in the “One Guyana” National Futsal Championships organized by the Kashif and Shanghai organization when the curtains came down on one of the most exciting tournaments ever held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.
Thousands of avid football fans jam-packed the venue, and His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali sat among them in the stands to witness first-hand Sparta Boss thumping Bent Street ‘A’ 8-4 in the Men’s final, while Lady Canaimas edged Lady Royals 2-1 in the Women’s final.
The Women’s game saw Glendy Lewis opening the score for Lady Canaimas in just the 3rd minute of the encounter, and the situation remained unchanged for a while in the abundance of near-misses.

Amanda McKenzie eventually headed a set piece from the corner into the back of the net for the equalizer in the 27th minute; and with three minutes remaining on the clock, neither side could find the tie-breaker, thus the contest was forced into extra time.
In the second half of extra time, a spectacular Glengie Lewis freekick found the back of the net in the 30th+5 minute, thus sealing the win for Lady Canaimas.
Goal-scorer and eventual MVP of the Women’s tournament, Glendy Lewis, discussing the emotions in the team after the equalizer had been conceded, said: “Tonight was a really hard game for us. Like I said before, I know they were going to come hard for us, but, you know, we always have to be ready for the game.”

She added, “After we went into extra time, we were like really, really nervous. We thought we were going to lose this game, but, you know, we always have faith in our team. So, we talked and we motivated each other to score one goal at least.”
The Men’s final was one humdinger of a game, as Sparta Boss and Bent Street found themselves tied 3-3 with 9 minutes left on the clock. Curtez Kellman had already netted a hattrick for Sparta Boss in the first half — tucking in a cross from Darron Niles in the 3rd minute and finishing with a ‘headers’ scored in the 7th and 19th minutes.

However, after being 3-1 down in the first half, with their only goal coming from Jamaine Beckles in the 9th, Bent Street made a remarkable comeback early in the second half, with Beckles completing his brace in the 25th and Adrian Aaron opening his account in the 29th.
Sparta Boss held firm, and Kelsey Benjamin broke the tie in the 35th while Jermin Junor extended the lead to two goals in the 37th minute. An Omari Glasgow brace in the 39th and 40th minutes and one off the boots of Darron Niles in the 40th lit up the Sports Hall, rabid fans having eagerly awaited some exciting plays. And though Aaron netted again for Bent Street in the 39th, it was not enough to contain the eventual champions.

Sparta Boss Captain Jermin Junor, speaking of their redemption after discussing the game, explained: “Coming into this game, we was always confident. Because we have a brand of football, and once we stick to the game plan, we know we would’ve come out successful.At the point when it was 3-3, all we talk about was keeping our composure; cause, like I said before, once we stick to the plan, we know we’d be successful.
“Back Circle beat us back- to-back in two finals, and we couldn’t have had that again; because 2 times was alright, but a third time was disrespectful. So, we had to stick to our game plan and our strategy, and we knew we would’ve come back. Cause we know we’re the number one team in this country all the time,” Junor added about his team’s redemption.

In the Men’s third-place playoff, Road Warriors absolutely decimated Back Circle: 18-6. Wendrecky DeSouza led the charge for Road Warriors with 6 goals in the 6th, 30th, 31st, 38th, 38th and 40th minutes; while Daniel Alves (9th, 11th, 21st, 36th) and Teon Stewart (24th, 28th, 33rd, 40th) netted 4 goals apiece.
Also adding to their tally was Dionathas Pereira with a hattrick in the 11th, 14th and 37th minutes, while Erilson Cadre found the back of the net once in the 27th.
In the Women’s third- place playoff, Tucville Terrorists prevailed over The Lioness 2-0 from the penalty mark, after regulation and extra time ended 2-all.

Jermin Junor was adjudged the Men’s MVP, while his teammate Omar Jones was adjudged the best goalkeeper. Back Circle’s Bevney Marks copped the highest goal-scorer’s award. Each individual award, including the Women’s MVP, has been rewarded with a motorcycle, compliments of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo.
Sparta Boss carted off $2M while Bent Street ‘A’ had to settle for $1M. Third-place finishers Road Warriors pocketed $500,000 and Back Circle took home $250,000.
For the Women, Lady Canaimas received $200,000, while Lady Royals, Tucville Terrorists and The Lioness received $100,000, $60,000 and $40,000 respectively.