By Emmerson Campbell
A collective gasp was heard at the National Park by the thousands of local supporters when St Vincent scored its first goal against the Back Circle Stallions (Team Guyana) but it was the second dagger that sent them to the exits.
US$4000, a huge gold plated trophy, a new Futsal hardcourt and one year’s bragging rights now belong to St Vincent after they upset Team Guyana 2-0 Saturday night in the final of the inaugural Guinness Caribbean Street Football Challenge.
Goals by tournament MVP Dwayne Dennie (18th minute) and Juma Jilkes (27th minute) completed St Vincent’s upset.
After entering the finals unbeaten thanks to their superior fitness and aggression, the Stallions were the overwhelming favourites to run away with the winning spoils but Jilkes and the tournament MVP didn’t get that memo.
When the Vincentians defeated another tournament stand out Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 on penalties in their semi-final, their confidence level sky rocketed and that confidence surely was displayed in the final.
Both Team Guyana and Team St Vincent came out attacking, trying to seize the initiative and both teams created several chances to score but shots either hit or sailed over the goalposts.
At halftime the teams were still scoreless but that changed three minutes after the interval with Dennie’s shot which was taken from almost midcourt after he caught the Stallions trotting.
After the goal, the local ball weavers started to play with a more sense of urgency and relentlessly attacked creating opportunities to score but none found the back of the net as St Vincent’s defenders crowded the goal to preserve their lead.
With relentlessly attacking the Stallions forgot about defense and were countered as Jilkes pounced on an errant pass, raced down the court and found the back of the net off of a powerful right foot screamer.
Team Guyana had booked their place in the final by defeating St Lucia 1-0. Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant scored in the 20th minute.
In the third place match Saturday night, the ballers from the Twin Island Republic edged St Lucia 1-0.
The other visiting team Antigua, will return home winless after team Albouystown which finished second in the recently concluded Guinness Street Football Exhibition Tournament defeated them in an exhibition match 2-nil thanks to Shaka Jones’ double (2nd and 13th minute).
The first, second and third runners-up each receive US$2,000 and a trophy, US$1,500 and a trophy and US$1,000 and a trophy respectively.
The visiting teams had all emerged champions in their own territories and were among the best the Caribbean has on offer.
Banks DIH Limited outfitted all five teams with warm up and playing gear.
Digicel also was a sponsorship partner for the three-night event.
Trinidad and Tobago’s national captain and Stoke City striker Kenwyn Jones was at the venue acting in capacity as the Guinness brand ambassador for the event while Jamaican Reggae singer Bugle also belted out several of his hits at intermission.
According to the organizers, the event which was free was highly successful and free of incidents.
It was also mentioned that the next local Guinness Greatest of the Streets competition will kick off in November.
