Sparta Boss kept their quarterfinal hopes alive in the inaugural Guinness ‘Cage’ Football Championship battling past Albouystown-B 2-1 Tuesday at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.It was a dogged performance from the Spartans, whose fall from grace was thwarted by the resilience of veteran playmakers Gregory `Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Solomon Austin.Needing a win to remain in contention, Sparta Boss secured the hard-fought result after Richardson and Austin recorded goals in the 12th and 16th minute respectively.
On target for Albouystown-B was Mickel Brandt in the 15th minute. Sparta Boss will now tackle North Ruimveldt in another titanic must-win clash today at the same venue.
Similarly, West Front Road-Gold is Money also kept their chances of a quarterfinal place alive, edging Tiger Bay 3-1 on penalty kicks, after normal time ended 1-1.
Michael Pedro scored for Gold is Money in the fifth minute while Keoma Gravesande equalised for Tiger Bay in the 14th minute. Likewise, Leopold Street preserved their chances of a quarterfinal draw, edging Back Circle 1-0 through an Okeene Fraser strike in the 12thminute.
Future Stars stormed their way into the elimination round, dismissing West Demerara unit Showstoppers 2-0, via goals from Jermaine Beckles and Jamal Cozier in the 12th and 13th minute respectively.
Also, Albouystown-A punched their ticket to the elimination round, overcoming Pike Street Sophia 2-1. Shaka Jones and Renault Fraser scored in the 13th and 14th minute respectively, while Kelville Frank netted for Pike Street in the fourth minute.
East bank unit Mocha sealed their quarterfinal position, downing Hustlers 2-1 on penalty kicks, after regulation time ended 1-1. Amos Ramsay scored for Mocha in the 13th minute, after Anthony Sancho had given Hustlers the lead in the 10th minute.
Meanwhile, giant-killers MBK (Meadowbrook Kings) All-Stars overcame a 0-2 score line to defeat Champion Boys 3-2. The win moved the debutants one step closer to a quarterfinal berth.
Peter George bagged a double in the 16th and 17th minute while Nevon Haynes netted in the 14th minute.
For Champion Boys, Lloyd Matthews and Melvin Squires scored in the third and fifth minute respectively.
North Ruimveldt moved one step closer to the knockout stage, edging Ol Skool Ballers 1-0. Kacy John found the back of the net in the seventh minute.
The event resumes today at the same venue with the final round of group fixtures. The other match dates are September 9th, 12th and 16th.
Victor of the historic event will receive $400,000 and the championship trophy. The runner-up will pocket $200,000 and the respective trophy.
Meanwhile, the third and fourth placed finishers will collect $100,000 and $50,000 respective and a trophy. On the individual side, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive a gold chain from YK Investments and Pawn Shop and the respective accolade from Trophy Stall Bourda.
The complete list of the event sponsors are Star Party Rentals, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, E-Networks, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall and John Fernandes
