Tucville recorded the largest upset in the inaugural Xtreme Cleaners/GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship to date after whipping Sparta Boss 4-2 Tuesday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
It was a clinical performance from the Tucville unit who over turned a 0-1 deficit to hammer the tournament favourites in front of a large and partisan crowd.
Jahaal Greaves equalized in the seventh minute, after Gregory Richardson had given Sparta Boss the lead in the first minute, slotting home into the lower right corner from the left side.
Raphael Edwards gave Tucville the lead two minutes later placing a first-time shot into the roof of the net from the left side after collecting a pass from the left flank.
Tucville’s dominance continued in the second half with Delon Williams making it 3-1 under fortuitous circumstances. Receiving the ball just over the halfway mark, Williams unleashed a powerful right-foot shot which took a deflection and rolled through the legs of the goalkeeper.
However, Eusi Phillips kept Sparta’s hopes alive of securing a come-from-behind result by reducing the deficit in the 16th minute with a powerful shot from the left side into the top right corner.
The result was however sealed in the 20th minute when Jermaine Junior netted. Junior cut across the body of the onrushing goalkeeper following a one-on-one situation before finishing into the empty net.
Meanwhile, Sophia sent a stern warning to the field crushing Agricola 4-1. Omallo Williams netted a double in the second and third minute while Dwayne Lowe and Desmond Cottam scored in the seventh and 14th minute respectively.
For the losers, Domini Garnett netted in the eighth minute.
Albouystown reached the quarterfinal round by defeating arch-rival Tiger Bay 2-0. Melvorn Ross and Devon Dooker scored in the 13th and 20th minute respectively.
Meanwhile, Back Circle got back to winning ways, defeating North Ruimveldt 5-0. Jamal Adams bagged a brace in the seventh and 15th minute, while Selwyn Williams, Jermaine Beckles and Curtez Kellman netted in the eighth, 18th and 20th minute respectively.
Broad Street kept their hopes alive of qualifying for the knockout round, edging Plaisance 4-3. Daniel Favourite bagged a brace in the third and 10th minute for the winners.
He was supported by Darren Benjamin and Jimmy Gravesande who scored in the fifth and 20th minute respectively. For the losers, Dwayne Ali netted in the second and 18th minute, while Vincent Thomas scored in the 14th minute.
Also, Future Stars and Bent Street battled to a 2-2 draw. Daniel Wilson registered a double in the second and fifth minute for Future Stars, while Ralph Parris and Jamal Cozier scored in the third and seventh minute each.
The final group matches will staged this evening at the same venue. In the opening fixture at 19:00hrs, Future Stars will oppose Plaisance while Albouystown will oppose North Ruimveldt at 19:00hrs.
In the third fixture, Agricola will engage Tucville at 20:00hrs while Back Circle will oppose Tiger Bay from 20:30hrs. At 21:00hrs, Bent Street will lock horns with Broad Street, while Sparta Boss will faceoff with Sophia at 21:30hrs in a must-win fixture. Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the top two finishers in each pool and the best two third place finishers will advance to the quarterfinal round. The other playing dates are 13th, 15th and 17th. Winner of the tournament will pocket $500,000 and the championship trophy. The runners-up will receive $200,000 and a trophy while the third and fourth place finishers will pocket $100,000 and the $50,000 respectively and trophies. On the individual side, $50,000 will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Entry to the venue will cost $500 during the group round, whilst each night, patrons will have the chance to win a pennyweight of gold and other cash prizes. Other sponsors of the event include Fas Grafix and Jefford’s Distribution and Sales; Giftland Distribution Store and FARMSUP Mining Investments Inc.
Point Standings
Group-A
Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts.
Sophia 2 1 0 1 5 2 +3 4
Tucville 2 1 0 1 5 3 +2 4
Sparta 2 0 1 1 3 5 -2 1
Agricola 2 0 1 1 2 5 -3 1
Group-B
Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts.
Albouystown 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 6
Back Circle 2 1 1 0 6 3 +3 3
Tigerbay 2 0 1 1 0 2 -2 1
North Ruimveldt 2 0 1 1 0 5 -5 1
Group-C
Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts.
Bent Street 2 1 0 1 8 5 +3 4
Future Stars 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 4
Broad Street 2 1 1 0 4 5 -1 3
Plaisance 2 0 2 0 6 10 -4 0
