K Brans out, Santos in

By Rawle Toney

K Brans of Trinidad and Tobago, the only overseas team in this year’s Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) tournament, failed to touch down in Guyana for their clash with Mahaica Determinators.

The two teams were due to meet tonight at the Plaisance Community Centre ground.

According to Co-Director of the K&S Organisation, Kashif Muhammad, the team was originally scheduled to arrive in Guyana last Thursday but did not show up at the airport.

Muhammad said they had not received any word from the club either.

The Trinidad Super League club was originally down to play on December 17 but had indicated that their flight to Guyana was scheduled for December 18 and had requested the playing date be reset.

“The last time we met with the executives and other officials of the club (K Brans) was in October and we dealt with the necessary agreements. We also spoke to them when we had our team briefing and sent the fixtures and the tournament rules up to Trinidad and they received it,” said Muhammad at a press conference yesterday.

“It is a big blow for us since we had already set everything for the team’s 12-day stay in Guyana. We had already paid 50% of the hotel bill and that is non re-fundable, so surely we are seeking compensation,” Muhammad added.

A figure for the loss was not given. However, it was reported that the matter was now in the hands of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) who were also responsible for the team being a part of the tournament. Meanwhile, Santos Football Club has been brought in as a replacement and according to the team’s management, the side is ready.

Coach Kavin Pierce told Stabroek Sport that given the fact his side was competitive all year round they were ready but had suffered a setback due to the guest player rule.

“Four of our good players have already played in the tournament due to the guest players’ ruling but we have made the adjustments to our team for tomorrow (tonight),” said Pierce.

He stated that he was familiar with the Mahaica Determinators team’s style of play and some of its players and as such a good game was expected.

The Mahaica/ Santos game will set the tone for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Bakewell Buxton All-stars match.

Both teams have a lot on line tonight since the last time the two sides met was in the NAMILCO tournament where the Buxtonians thumped the army men 3-1.

National goalkeeper Andrew Durant, along with his Tobago United teammate Teshon Joseph, will feature in the Bakewell Buxton All-stars line up.

The Army is expected to come out blazing with national striker Dwight Peters leading the charge with the lethal Stellon David as his back up.

The winner of tonight’s game will play BK International Western Tigers on Christmas Day at the National Stadium, at Providence.