Some 32 teams will compete in this year’s Mayor’s Cup seven-a-side football competition which gets cracking tonight at the Banks DIH Limited Thirst Park ground with several matches. The tournament is being held to commemorate the 75th birthday anniversary of Georgetown’s Mayor Hamilton Green.
The tournament, which is expected to conclude on December 12, will see some of the country’s top footballers competing for $300,000 and the MACORP Trophy.
The second place team will receive $100,000 and the Banks DIH Limited Trophy; $60,000 and the International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) Trophy will be the prize for the third place team and $40,000 and the Humphrey Trophy will be given to the fourth placed team.
According to organisers of the tournament, each match will last 20 minutes and four substitutes are permitted per team. Three points will be awarded for a win and one point each for a draw or walkover. However, if at the end of first round two or more teams are equal on points a goal differential will be used to determine the winner. The second round of the tournament will be played on a knockout basis and if at the end of regulation time the scores are tied, sudden death penalty kicks will be implemented. On the other hand, players will not be penalized for being off side. On the issue of a player being red carded, he will automatically miss the next game but if the red card warrants the player to miss more than one game then the orgaising committee will preside over the issue. The referee is the sole authority and his or her decision is final.
Today’s first game, which begins at 18:00, will see Group A’s Houston Stars taking on Crane (18:00h) and Pele clashing with Plaisance (21:30h). Group B teams Agricola and Uitvlugt (18:30h) will play each other and Flamingoes (20:00h) will challenge each other.
Western Tigers of Group C will be coming up against YMCA at (20:30h) and Grove Hi-Tech will face off against Beavers at 19:30h while Group D teams Conquerors will play Beterverwagting/Triumph at 21:00h and Den Amstel will tackle Kitty Rangers.
