Four teams will go head-to-head tonight in a bid to reach the finals of the 2nd annual Petra Organised Limacol Round-robin Knock-out Football Tournament at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda.
The final four are Western Tigers, Guyana Police Force FC, Winners Connection and Santos, whose passage to this stage came after some battling quarter-final
Dwain Jacobs (right) and Quincy Holder have performed well for Police
matches.
Co-Director of the Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca in speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Thursday felt that the teams reaching this stage are quite deserving since they would have played well in the quarter-final matches. Mendonca alluded to the fact that only two of the remaining teams would have topped their group and it shows the hunger of some teams and is expecting two thrilling matches tonight.
In terms of the success of the tournament, the organizer expressed great delight in the support given in all the matches and the highly competitive nature of teams in the round-robin stages. He also posited that the structure of the tournament brings a different dynamic to the tournament.
Dominique Bobb (left) and Orin Yard will be vital for Santos once more
Meanwhile, Western Tigers have played unbeaten throughout the entire tournament , and with their new signing such as Andrew Murray Jnr, Devon Millington, Linden Picket have given Coach Calvin Allen great stability when going either forward or defending. During the round-robin segment, they top their group netting six goals with just three being against. They were paired with defending champions Milerock their quarter-final match but Joshua Britton made the difference in their 1-0 in the mining town.
More so, the West Ruimveldt unit recently won a major title championship of their own and will the face the same opponent of that final, Santos FC, in their semi-final draw.
For the Guyana Police FC, much will continue to be expected Dwain Jacobs and Quincy Holder, who have been in great goal scoring form. Though the lawmen have looked suspect when pressured by the opposition, going forward, they look a really dangerous unit, with Holder especially giving defenders headache by constantly switching from a center forward to left-winger in some matches.
Both players will be critical once again when the face the only remaining Linden team, Federal Winners Connection.
For the other two semi-finalist, though they may not start as strong favorites , they both produced steely performances in the quarter-finals. Santos in particular were pushed to the limit by Mahaica Determinators to come from behind and win 2-1. Orlando Ricketts, Orin Yard, Dominque Bobb, and Job Caesar are some of the genuine threats on the ball but their downfall has been finishing the numerous chances they create.
The first semi-final between Winners Connection and Police will commence from 19:00 hrs followed by the second from 21:00 hrs.
Winner of the event will pocket $500,000 and a trophy while the second, third and fourth placed teams will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
To date, Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand, Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals are the other companies that have thrown their support behind the championship.
