In war they say never take a knife to a gun fight so what the Guyana Defence Force players walk with tonight when they face off with the unbeaten Alpha United in the final of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Super League is anyone’s guess.
The match will be played at the National Stadium, a true surface for what is expected to be a true battle between the GDF and the ‘Hammer.’
At stake are a million dollars and bragging rights and the two sides are expected to be coming with “blood in their eyes.”
Alpha United fought off Milerock (3-2) in their semi-final clash while the GDF easily brushed aside Sunburst Camptown 3-0 to set up tonight’s clash.
Clifton Babb, who took charge of Alpha United since May of this year, has been enjoying a fruitful run with the team which has only lost two matches since to Pele and BK International Western Tigers in the GT&T Premier League tournament which his team won.
Last week, Babb said that his team was more technically sound and superior to GDF. Fitness wise, though, the army team has the advantage.
Alpha seems the more rounded team, but their last game against Milerock saw them looking a bit scrappy and could be seen as an avenue for GDF coach and former national table tennis player Marlon Washington to capitalize on.
Washington who was a part of the coaching squad of Guyana’s senior national team which won an invitational international tournament in Suriname last month has visibly changed the outfit of the soldiers.
While Camptown seemed way out of sorts in their last game, GDF looked crisp on the field and showed that they are ready to make their opponents pay dearly for any lapses.
Since last Tuesday, Washington had his players encamped at Base Camp Ayanganna, where they worked on speed, fitness and most importantly, defending as a unit.
Alpha United will be spearheaded by national forwards Dwain Jacobs, Edison Gomes and Dwight Peters along with the experienced Shawn Bishop and that quartet can prove to be a nightmare for the army’s defensive line.
Bishop has been like an assassin for Alpha in the League, pulling off several game-winning goals while the frisky Jacobs can be a thorn in any defence.
But the most feared Alpha player is Howard Lowe.
The national captain is a no-nonsense defender who commands the respect of players and opposition.
Coach Washington however can call upon a few fearless and goal hungry players himself.
Midfielder and playmaker Warren Gilkes and strikers Stellon David, Delroy Deen and Seon `Parrot’ Brewley have been the backbone of the GDF team since Washington took over while young-gun, Marlon ‘Billy’ Benjamin, can be trouble once he plays smart football.
The national Under-20 team will face a combined Super League side in the opening game of the triple header from 3pm while Sunburst Camptown and Milerock Football Club of Linden will meet for the third place trophy at 5pm.
GDF Squad: Delon Young, Rodwell Sandy, Kevin Price, Keon Adams, Devon Harris, Royan Morrison, Seon Prince, Sheik Kamal, Ryan Adolph, Warren Gilkes, Marlon Benjamin, Eusi Phillips, Kevin Lewis, Keiron Joseph, Desford Williams, Shevane Seaforth, Stellon David, Delroy Deen, Hubert Pedro, Seon Brewley, Steven Dolphin and Frederick Boyce.
Alpha United Squad: Ronson Williams, Howard Lowe, Kelvin McKenzie, Anthony Harding, Abassi McPherson, Kelvin Smith, Quincy Madramootoo, Philbert Moffat, Dwain Jacobs, Dwight Peters, Edison Gomes, Andrew Murray, Gordon Henry, Kevin Smith, Shawn Bishop, Dwayne Roberts, Kelvin Smith.
