It will be a dream finale on Sunday at the National Stadium as Alpha United will battle Slingerz FC for the 25th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai Football tourney after securing contrasting semi-final wins over Pele and Riddim Squad on Wednesday.
The ‘Hammers’ laboured to a win over arch-rivals Pele by a 1-0 score line whilst the Vergenoegen giant hammered Riddim Squad by a 4-0 margin at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.
The opening semi-final of the night saw Slingerz FC taking the first half lead in the 36th minute as dapper forward Devon Millington netted through a strike to the back of the net after receiving a flat Christoff Wensly left-sided cross within the centre of the area. The Surinamese import would once again make his presence felt 28 minutes later, delivering a sublime left-sided cross into the area which was met by Millington within the box, who placed his first time strike into back of the goal.
Another import in the form of Julian Wade would make his presence felt one minute onward compliments of another left-sided cross from Wensley, who found the onrushing striker within the centre of the box, before the former netted down the centre of the woodwork.
Veteran marksman Anthony Abrams would then seal the easy win for Slingerz in the 89th minute, slotting past the advancing keeper following a one-on-one situation within the box after latching onto a Dwayne Lawrence right-sided pass.
Slingerz FC will not lock horns with their arch-rivals Alpha United who squeaked past Pele FC by a 1-0 score line. Former Pele stalwart Gregory Richardson broke the hearts of his former suitors as he netted in the minute. Outsprinting the Pele rear guard from the middle of the field, Richardson would place his right footed attempt past the onrushing custodian Richard Reynolds within the box, sealing their berth in the grand finale.
Winner of the event will receive the championship trophy and $2,000,000 while the runners-up will collect $1,000,000 and the respective title. The third and fourth placed teams will receive $500,000 and $250,000 respectively with the corresponding accolade.
Individual prizes will also be awarded for the most valuable player, highest goal scorer and best goalkeeper.
