History will be created when Stella Maris and St. Stephen’s Primary faceoff at 16:15hrs in the inaugural finale of the Health 2000 Guyana Incorporated Girls Primary Schools football event today at the Ministry of Education ground.
St. Stephen’s will start the matchup as favourites after upsetting the highly touted Enterprise Primary 10-9 in a marathon sudden death shoot-out. Prior to their semi-final win, the Albouystown based institution secured a quarterfinal victory over a very capable South Ruimveldt side 2-1 on sudden death kicks.
From an attacking standpoint, they have scored three goals to date compliments of a double off the boot of Odelli Straughn and a solo effort from Naomi Curry.
Defensively they have only conceded a total of two goals going into the finale and will be confident of overturning the advances of their adversaries, come opening whistle.
Despite clinching their berth as one of the two best third placed teams, Stella Maris will fancy their chances of lifting the championship accolade due to their solid defensive display to date in the knockout rounds.
Although conceding three goals in the group stage, the Woolford Avenue unit have improved by leaps and bounds in the elimination round and are yet to be breached, as both of their latter round victories against North Ruimveldt and West Ruimveldt have come from the penalty mark.
Offensively they can improve as they have only found the back of the net once in the event compliments of an Akio Glasgow effort. However with a solid defence presence, Stella Maris will be confident of securing sealing another upset win.
In the third place playoff, pre-tournament favourites Enterprise Primary will faceoff with West Ruimveldt from 15:30hrs while South Ruimveldt Primary will lock horns with North Georgetown in the 5-6 positional section.
In the opening matchup of the day, F.E. Pollard will engage Tucville Primary at 14:00hrs in the 7-8 positional division.
Winner of the event will receive new team kits and the championship trophy while the runners-up will collect the respective trophy and five footballs. The third placed side will receive the corresponding accolade and three balls while the fourth place finishers will walk away with the two balls and a trophy.
Trophies will also be given away for the event’s highest goal scorer, most valuable player and best goalkeeper as well as the most disciplined team.
