Police continued their ascendency in local football when they defeated host Georgetown Football Club (GFC) on Sunday evening to win the inaugural Corona Invitational Football title.
The battle as was touted “was age versus experience” and the lawmen taught the Bourda a lesson to remember with a clinical display of aggression and compact defending.
Celebration time! Police savour in the success of wining the inaugural tournament on Sunday evening
Led by captain Dwain Jacobs with a hat-trick, the lawmen arrested any thoughts of GFC springing a surprise. Jacobs scored in the 8th, 42, and 45th while Kester Dondus netted in the 48th
The experienced Jacobs opened the scoring with a piercing shot from the right to rattle the boys in blue and white and ignite some thunderous cheers from the sizable crowd in attendance.
GFC had defeated Police 3-0 at the group stage and might have been still savouring that idea but marque striker Benjamin Opara impact in the match was virtually nullified and their counter-attacks lacked the cutting-edge to bring more success.
Jacobs who continued to be a serious threat in the mid-field even without his ‘partner in crime’ Quincy Holder, made his way into the 18-yard box and lifted the ball over the rushing custodian, sprinting off into celebration mode.
The heart ache for the home side continued when Jacobs from about 35 yards out hit a powerful right footer that rocked the right bottom of the net. At the interval, the scores were 3-0 and to much bewilderment, first choice keeper for GFC Sessi Norville was absent from goal.
Chasing a herculean task of rescuing the match, GFC began scripting some niffy set pieces but the joy if any was short-lived as Dondus had the simplest of jobs dabbing the final nail in the coffin for GFC.
The final whistle came and the celebrations were on for the Guyana Police Force FC who won the $1M first place purse and the championship trophy – it was their second title in two years. For GFC their road to their first final in over 10 years ended with $400,000 second place prize.
Meanwhile, Western Tigers topped Northern Rangers 2-0 for the third position in the tournament. Tigers scored in the 35th minute through a goal from Darren Benjamin, while Jamal Pedro scored in the 90th+1 minute. For the win they were awarded $200,000 prize while Rangers received $100,000 and the corresponding titles. (Akeem Greene)
