Tiger Bay, Fruta, Future Stars, Bent Street into female/male finals

MVP Sports Futsal….

Excitement will reign at the National Gymnasium this weekend with the final of the MVP Sports/Petra Organisation futsal tournament, following an exhilarating semi-final round on Saturday last, filled with goals and thrills galore.
On Saturday, December 10, two blockbuster finals are in store in the female and male tournaments. In the women’s tournament, Fruta Conquerors will take on Tiger Bay in what is expected to be a clash of experience vs street ball style, while in the male final the usurpers Future Stars will battle the ever- experienced Bent Street.
The semifinal games took place at the same venue on Saturday last, where Tiger Bay’s Women displayed superb defensive tactics to deny the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Women.
The game’s entire complement of goals came in the first half, with Police’s Tiandi Smith becoming the first player to find the back of the net. After Smith’s fourth-minute goal, Tiger Bay’s Chastady Archer immediately found a reply to level the scores.
However, what the GPF women did not expect was Tiger Bay’s instantaneous hunt for the lead. Afena Baptiste connected a screamer in the sixth minute to push the scores to 2-1. The remainder of the game witnessed several near-misses, but Tiger Bay held on skilfully to book their spot in the Women’s final.
The next women’s semifinal was even more thrilling as Fruta Conquerors pulled off a last-minute victory. Commendations must go to the GT Panthers Women, who controlled the game for most of the time. Fiona Benjamin struck the first goal in the seventh minute, while Gwendy Lewis beat the goalkeeper in the 12th to hand GT Panthers a 2-0 lead.
Whatever was said to the ladies hailing from the Tucville-based outfit at the interval seemed to have inspired them, as was evident in their better plays in the second half. Fruta Conquerors’ opening came via penalty opportunity in the 16th, which was successfully converted by Jessica Teasdale.
Two minutes later, Sandra Johnson hit a screamer into the top corner of the nets to equalise the scores and give Fruta Hope.
Just when it appeared as though extra time would have to be employed, Johnson tucked the ball into the corner of the net for her team’s third and decisive goal.
In the male semifinal games, there were fireworks as some of the big names were made to duke it out. Future Stars and Stabroek Ballers, who have picked up the reputation of ‘upsetters’ in this year’s tournament were tasked with battling each other for a spot in the final.
Future Stars’ narrow 2-1 victory over Stabroek Ballers came exclusively as a result of Tyrese Dennis’s efforts. Dennis netted the opening goal in the sixth minute and then again in the 22nd for Future Stars’ 2 goal lead.
Dorwin George, who had trouble finishing for the duration of the encounter, finally hit the back of the net in the 26th, but his efforts were a little too late for Stabroek Ballers.
There were goals galore in the second semi-final between powerhouses Gold is Money and Bent Street. While Darren Benjamin hit a hat-trick for Gold is Money, the game was truly the Omari Glasgow show, as he set up opportunity after opportunity for Bent Street, before taking matters into his own hands and netting four goals.
While Benjamin found the back of the net in the 4th, 10th, and 20th; Glasgow replied in the 6th, 9th, 16th and 23rd. In addition, Deon Alfred added another goal in the 21st minute to secure Bent Street’s 5-3 victory.
The final is set for the same venue this Saturday. In addition to over $500,000 in cash prizes, the male Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a lucky fan will ride away with a motorcycle. The tournament is supported by MVP Sports, ANSA McAL through its Magnum and Lucozade brands, Luminous and the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry. (Jemima Holmes)