“The defending champions are here”— Wharton … Suriname, Trinidad secure opening-round wins – KFC Goodwill Tournament…

A strong statement was made by the defending champions of the KFC Goodwill international football tournament and it was done without a word said.
Taking to the field for the tournament’s opening match on Sunday afternoon, Chase’s Academic Foundation displayed their superior skill, decimating the Anglican Central Education Authority (ACEA) Select of The Bahamas 24-1.
The chief marksman and Captain of the team, Bryan Wharton, though no explanation was needed, later shared why it was important for his team to stamp their authority early.

Wharton told Guyana Times Sport, “It was very important to send out a message to everybody that the defending champs is here and we’re here to defend our title.
“I think the boys were excited, leading up to this game, very eager to play and it could show on the pitch how we come out and dominate.”
Wharton went on to express his thoughts on their upcoming fixtures, “We feel a lot more confident because anybody coming and face us, they will know that Chase coming with dominance.”
Meanwhile, more on-field action on Sunday night saw Suriname’s Technical School of Nickerie and St Benedict’s College of Trinidad and Tobago coming away with comfortable wins at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Suriname cruised past Brazil’s Jose Viera De Salles Guerra School of Brazil, in what has been the tournament’s most shocking result thus far.
Darien Doris opened the scoring for Guyana’s eastern neighbour in the 16th minute while Jizreel Sedoc netted their second in the 76th after a team effort held off Brazil’s counter-attack.

Thereafter, a brace off the boots of Jelani Stoute in the 55th and 69th minutes led St Benedict’s to a 4-0 defeat of Region Nine’s Annai Secondary. Josiah Barrow had opened the Trinidadians’ account in the 39th minute while Jelani Scott added his name to the scoresheet in the 72nd minute.
The KFC Goodwill action continues today with four more group stage matches on the cards. At the Queen’s College Ground, Thomas Lands, Jamaica’s Kingston College will battle ACEA of The Bahamas from 12:30h, followed by a clash between T&T’s St Benedict’s College and Suriname’s Technical School of Nickerie at 14:30h.
The excitement will then shift to the MoE Ground, Carifesta Avenue where Chase’s Academic Foundation will take on West Ruimveldt in an all-Guyanese battle at 18:00h, followed by Jose Viera School of Brazil going head-to-head with Annai Secondary at 20:00h.