Hustlers were crowned the New Era coordinated Cell Smart/Mohamed Enterprise Futsal Champions after dethroning defending champions Magic Stars 2-1 on penalty kicks in the grand finale yesterday.
The wet conditions did not deter the mammoth crowd that stormed the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) hard-court in Linden to witness the final which lived up to expectations following an 11-11 scoreline at the end of normal time.
The fixture was sent into the penalty kick realm after Kenard Tyrillfailed from the penalty mark with less than 12 seconds remaining in the match, handing Hustlers a lifeline to seal the eventual contest.
Magic Stars were first from the mark and started in the worst possible manner as captain Jermaine Grandison was denied by custodian Fidel Smith. Hustlers then failed to seize the advantage as Jermaine ‘Brown Boy’ Scotland was denied by goalkeeper Travis Bess.
The second round of kicks mirrored the first for the holders as Tyrill was denied from the distance once again by Smith. This time Hustlers made no mistake with Donovan Francis scoring past Best to secure a 1-0 lead.
Smith made his presence felt once more, denying Keon Sears to start the third round. Hustlers built on the exploits of Smith, seizing a 2-0 advantage as Anthony ‘Kang’ Sancho netted.
However, Magic Stars finally got off the mark in the fourth round as Rawle ‘Boney Man’ Gittens found a way past the dominant Smith between the upright to cut the deficit to 1 (1-2). Needing a conversion to seal the title, Hustlers were denied by Bess who brilliantly saved Seon Brewley’s shot to hand his side a lifeline. Requiring a conversion in the fifth and final round to keep their hopes alive, Magic Stars sealed their own fate as Bess was denied from the distance by Smith.
Prior to the dramatic conclusion, Scotland scored five times in the first, third, 22nd, 26th and 43rd minute while Francis netted thrice in the 14th, 17th and 44th minute and Deon Charter bagged a double in the 38th and 49th minute. Brewley netted once in the fourth minute.
For the losers, Tyrill recorded a hat-trick in the fifth, 41st and 46th minute whilst Gittens scored twice in the eighth and ninth minute, Jermain Grandison registered a brace in the 31th and 34th minute and Sears claimed a double in the 10th and 50th minute.
Chipping in with goals in the 12th and 19th minute were Steffon Tappin and Joel McKinnon respectively. With the win, Hustlers walked away with $400,000 and the championship accolade while Scotland walked away with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The losers collected $150,000 and a trophy.
In the third place playoff, Good Fellas defeated Empire 14-8. Eventual tournament top shot with 18 goals Clarence Huggins netted seven goals in the contest which required extra time to be settled.
Huggins recorded his conversions in the 14th, 22nd, 31st, 42nd, 43rd, 47th and 48th minute. He was assisted by Deshawn Joseph and Omeion Wills who scored three goals each. Joseph netted in the 12th, 38th and 41st minute while Wills scored in the 39th, 40th and 46th minute.
Scoring in the eighth minute was Mark McLean. For Empire, rising star Colwyn Drakes matched Huggins haul with strikes in the second, ninth, 10th, 17th, 26th, 27th and 38th minute while Trenton Lashley added to the result in the 19th minute.
For their effort, Good Fellas walked away with $75,000 and a trophy while Huggins received a trophy for being the Highest Goal Scorer.
