Following the conclusion of a gruelling 14 game campaign for each team, the business end in the GFF Stag Beer Elite League will commence today with heavyweight semi-final matchups at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground.
In the feature contest of the night at 20:30hrs, Pele will renew their rivalry with the old enemy Alpha United in what promises to be a bruising affair. Pele will start the match as the favourite after dismantling their impending foe 3-0 in their previous encounter.
From an attacking standpoint, Pele led by their talisman Gregory Richardson, possess the second best record, with 28 conversions over the course of their campaign.
Richardson, who is second on the scoring charts with nine strikes, leads a dangerous lineup featuring a balance of youth and experience in the likes of Omallo Williams, Darren Harris, Travis Grant and Konata Manning.
On the defensive end, Centre half Jumane Somerset alongside custodian Devon Charles have been the standouts in a youthful rearguard that boasts the third best record with 15 goals conceded.
On the other hand, Alpha United are an unfamiliar fourth on the scoring charts with 21 goals despite possessing the event’s leading hitman with 10 goals in Delon Lanferman.
With Captain Daniel Wilson unavailable due to a MLS tryout in the United States of America, the scoring contribution of Lanferman must be increased along with efforts of Dwayne Lawrence, Dwight Peters, Williams Europe and Stellon David.
With regard to rearguard statistics, the ‘Hammers’ sit in the second position with 12 goals shipped in. The experienced combination of Wayne Elis and Quincy Madramootoo alongside the vastly improved Sherwin Skeete have made Alpha United’s defence difficult to breach.
Meanwhile, in the opening matchup at 18:00hrs, eventual points’ leader Slingerz FC, will lock horns with the always capable Fruta Conquerors in what is another chapter in their budding rivalry.
From the inception of the event, Slingerz FC has been the most consistent team due to their superior offensive and defensive statistics. On the offensive side, Slingerz have at their disposal the event’s leading front-line with 29 strikes recorded.
Surprisingly attacking midfielder Vurlon Mills leads their scoring chart with six conversions. However, unlike the other competing teams, the scoring burden had been shared with several of their payers inclusive of Dexroy Adams, Tichard Joseph, Anthony Abrams and Dwain Jacobs netting at least two goals each,
On the defensive side, the numbers are equally impressive as they have only conceded nine goals throughout their campaign led by an impressive rearguard of Solomon Austin, Colin Nelson, Joshua Browne, Tichard Joseph, Les Charles Critchlow and Anthony Harding.
While they might not possess the man-power and statistical strength of their foe, Fruta Conquerors will not be a side overwhelmed by the task at hand as the prior fixture between the clubs finished 3-3.
From an attacking perspective, the Tucville unit sit fifth on the scoring charts, with their main scorer in the form of Kwame LaFleur netting four strikes along with Eon Alleyne, Jermin Junior and Dennis Edwards who have scored three, two and two goals respectively.
From a defensive standpoint, the Tucville unit has conceded 17 goals which puts them in the fourth position.
The likes of Rafael Edwards, Trevon Lythcott, Dwayne Lindy, Delon Williams and custodian Alex Murray have improved as the event progressed and will be required to continue in that vein.
Winner of the knockout round will pocket $4,000,000 while the second, third and fourth place teams will collect $2,000,000, $1,000,000 and $500,000 respectively.
