The Victoria Community Ground will come alive tonight when Mahaica Determinators engage Santos and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) oppose Den Amstel in quarterfinal matches of the Petra Organization’s Limacol football tournament.
The venue is expected to be packed to capacity for the feature affair at 21:00hrs when the lone remaining team from the East Coast of Demerara, Mahaica Determinators, attempts to seal a semifinal berth against Santos.
Determinators have been the surprise of the tournament after winning group-D following brilliant wins against Riddim Squad and Camptown along with a hard-fought drawn encounter against the Guyana Police Force.
Although they do not possess household names throughout their roster, in veteran marksman Delroy Dean, the Mahaica unit has a genuine goal scorer capable of unlocking any backline.
Dean currently has three goals out of the eight recorded by the offence at a rate of 2.67 per match with Eion Abel and Neil Lynton having two goals each. Defender Devon Harris has scored the other goal.
Defensively, Mahaica has conceded five goals a number that needs to be improved by the duo of Captain Shameer Nazir and Harris.
For Santos, inconsistency has plagued their campaign.
They finished second in group-B with a record of one win, one draw and one defeat to Pouderoyen, Ann’s Grove and Den Amstel respectively.
Rising star Keith Caines leads the strike force (which also features Job Caesar) with two of their four goals while new recruit Okeene Fraser and Robby McGloggan have each netted once.
On the defensive end, Santos has fared much better with only two goals conceded. This solidarity has been provided by Shem Arthur, Vassel Cantzelaar and Troy Lewis.
The opening fixture at 19:00hrs could easily be mistaken for a final due to the quality of the teams that will be on show.
Like Mahaica, Den Amstel is the lone remaining side from the West Demerara zone and has thoroughly impressed after emerging as group-C winners with a perfect record.
They scored impressive wins over Pouderoyen, Santos and Ann’s Grove, effectively sealing their status as a title contender.
The re-acquisition of several former players have strengthened this case with Gideon Payne the top scorer with three goals.
Delon Lanferman and Andre Hector have each scored twice from an offence that has scored seven goals.
On the defensive end, Den Amstel sit jointly atop the pile as they have only conceded once. Kester Jacobs, Travis Hilliman, Ryan Hunte, Wycliffe Simon and Colin Benn have been responsible for their imperious rearguard.
For the lawmen, a second place finish in group-D due to a weaker goal difference does not illustrate their overall quality.
The officers are a genuine threat to any of the remaining teams owing to their physicality and improved tactical acumen.
Victories against Riddim Squad and Camptown have been the highlights of their continued evolution.
From the attacking perspective, GPF has fired in five goals, with Quincy Holder the main target man with three goals. Dwayne Charles and Dwain Jacobs have assisted with one goal each.
On the defensive end, the officers have shipped in three goals at an average of one goal per match.
Winner of the event will pocket $500,000 and a trophy while the second, third and fourth placed teams will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
