The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) pulled off a dramatic 6-5 win over Georgetown premier league champions Alpha United in sudden death penalty kicks to capture the 2007 Namilco knockout football final on Sunday evening at Tucville Playfield.
The large crowd that braved the inclement weather got their money’s worth as regular time, extra time and the first round of penalty kicks failed to provide a result after both teams had scored one goal each early in the match on a very soggy field.
Alpha United’s striker Quincy Madramootoo brou-ght the crowd to its feet when he netted for his team in the ninth minute with a powerful shot after a penetrative right side build-up by the Georgetown champions.
The army side always looked as if they would equalise following several impressive runs and their opportunity came when sharp shooting striker, Stellon David, powered home a scorcher in the 23rd minute.
Both teams had a few scoring opportunities with the army side’s striking duo of David and Desford Williams tormenting their opponents’ defence, while Madramootoo, Elton Brown and Sean Bishop fought gallantly to give Alpha the upper hand.
At the end of regular and extra time the score remained 1-1 forcing a penalty shoot and the GDF goalkeeper, Keith Fraser, was equal to the task saving two shots.
Alpha was the first to squander in the shoot-out while GDF also missed one of their shots after the required five shots each and then the stocky Fraser pulled off the saves to see his team to victory.
In the third-place play-off, East Coast side BV /Triumph United brushed aside Pouderoyen of West Demerara 3-1 with golden boy Delroy Deen, joint leading goal scorer, netting his team’s opening goal in the 17th minute.
Shawn Daniels sent the East Coast further ahead in the 45th minute but Clement Brown pulled one back for Pouderoyen in the 52nd minute.
BV pushed the issue beyond doubt when Yonel Price scored in the 60th minute.
Bert Sukhai, Managing Director of National Milling Company (NAMILCO), main sponsors of the Festival told Stabroek Sport that the tournament was very competitive and well organised.
Sukhai, along with other top officials of NAMILCO, Colin Klass, President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Troy Mendonca, President of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) were also on hand to witness the final.
GDF for their victory won the NAMILCO Trophy plus $400,000 with Alpha taking home $200,000.
BV/Triumph United secured $100,000 and Pouderoyen, $50,000.
The leading goal-scorer prize was shared between Deen and Brown who each scored five goals in the competition.
There were also awards for the most valuable player (MVP), most disciplined team, the two most promising players and the winner of these prizes will be announced at the Presentation Function to be held on Thursday at the NAMILCO head office, Agricola on at 14:00 h.
Juniors Jewellery donated the prize for the highest goal-scorer, with Two Js General Store donating $25,000 for the MVP. Swansea donated a cellular phone for the best goal-keeper, while Global Technology donated two computer scholarships to two promising players and Alpha Hotel a Jumbo hamper to the captain of the most disciplined team.
Namilco also presented hampers to all the players and team officials competing in Sunday’s matches.
