KFC Independence Cup…
…Fruta Conquerors bag 3rd place
Story and Photos by Jemima Holmes
It was neither a high-scoring thriller nor was it a close encounter, but the 90 minutes of play in the KFC Under 20 ‘Independence Cup’ final was just what Santos FC needed to be able to say they are the best Under 20 team in the country.
Santos FC celebrate their championship status after receiving their spoils
This tournament began back in April, 2019 with more than 80 clubs from 9 Regional Member Associations participating, but it boiled down to a highly anticipated contest between newcomers Dynamic FC and the experienced Santos FC played in blistering sunshine on a Sunday afternoon at the National Training Centre at Providence, EBD.
After inclement weather had ruled out any play on the first date that was set for the final (July 1), the players were more than eager to finally get it done, and when the first whistle was sounded, it seemed as though a ‘tit-for-tat’ game was in the offing, with Dynamic FC already charging to the goal and Santos having similar plans.
Dynamic FC controlled the encounter for only a few minutes
The first player to be rewarded was Dynamic’s Julius Hamilton, whose shot found the back of the net in the 12th minute. However, Dynamic did not remain in control for too long, as Santos’s Orin Moore equalised in the 18th.
Santos’s lead was later extended just before the half by Ronaldo Rodrigues, and the eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, Stephen Reynolds, came back from the break blazing, and netted a goal of his own in the 46th. After this, Santos remained in cruise control, much to Dynamic’s frustration.
Try as they may, no attempt at the goal could get past the capable hands of Joel Yhap, the Santos goalkeeper. Eventually, the final whistle sounded, signalling a 3-1 win for Santos.
As champions of the inaugural tournament, Santos FC walked away with $500,000, while Dynamic FC pocketed $300,000. Each prize was inclusive of trophies and medals.
A snippet of the action in the inaugural KFC Under 20 final
Meanwhile in the third place playoff, Fruta Conquerors got back to their winning ways by taking away the $200,000 prize after a riveting 5-3 encounter with Botofago FC of Linden.
The scores were locked for much of the first half, until Botofago’s Tyrell Lewis broke the shackles in the 30th. Eight minutes later, Fruta Conquerors’ Ravon Bayley levelled the scores with a goal of his own. As play continued, Negral Mc Bean found the back of the wrong net just before halftime to set the score at 2-1 in Botofago’s favour.
However, Fruta Conquerors were determined to make the best of the second half; and they did just that when Ryan Hackett levelled the scores in the 57th with a goal of his own. The celebrations were unfortunately short-lived, because Shane Haynes scored for Botofago a minute later.
Nevertheless, Nicholas Mc Arthur (84) Leon Richardson (86) and Wayne Baker (88) each found the back of the net to ensure Fruta Conquerors a win and the national third place title.
