New Amsterdam United and Santos FC punched their tickets to the semi-final round in the 5th Annual GFA/Banks Beer Knockout Championship, overcoming the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Rosignol United respectively on Friday.
The Berbicians arrested the Lawmen by a 2-1 margin in a hard-fought contest that required extra time at the No. #5 ground in Berbice. Delroy Ferdinand gave New Amsterdam the initial lead compliments of a 12th minute effort.
However, the lawmen levelled proceedings in the 32nd minute as Jonathan Fredericks etched his name on the scorer’s sheet. With a go-ahead goal unable to be found by both teams in the remaining normal time interval, the fixture progressed into extra time to settle the outcome.
New Amsterdam eventually grabbed the winner in the 111th minute as Ferdinand netted his second goal of the evening.
Meanwhile, Georgetown unit Santos FC overcame Rosignol United by a 3-2 margin. Josh Parvatan gave the visitors the early lead as he broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. The lead quickly doubled for Santos as Tyrese Forde netted three minutes later.
Stunned by their double concession, the Berbicians pulled one back in the 25th minute as Mark Wronge netted. With the score remaining unchanged going into the half time period, Rosignol United levelled the score two minutes into the second period when Winston Benjamin scored.
Despite having the momentum on their side, the Berbicians surrendered the go-ahead winner in the dying moments as Travis Fitzpatrick netted for Santos in the 89th minute.
Winner of the tourney will receive two million dollars and the championship trophy while the second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket one million, $500,000 and $250,000 respectively along with the corresponding accolade.
