Gold is Money will oppose Future Stars in the inaugural Street Vibes Entertainment Futsal Championship grand finale today following semi-final wins over Sparta Boss and Back Circle respectively on Monday.
The sizeable crowd that descended on the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, was treated to two contrasting but captivating encounters, with Future Stars overcoming Back Circle 6-5 and Gold is Money edging Sparta Boss 2-1.
The Future Stars and Back Circle clash was a titanic fixture that ebbed and flowed like the Atlantic Ocean, treating the neutral viewership to a high-scoring thriller.
The matchup threatened to be a lopsided affair as Future Stars raced off to a commanding 4-1 lead. Curtez Kellman added a brace in the seventh and 18th minute while Keron Solomon and Akeemo Anthony scored in the fourth and 15th minute.
On target for Back Circle was Dellon Kelly in the 11th minute. However, the East Ruimveldt giant battled back in the second half scoring three unanswered goals to push the contest into the extra time realm.
Selwyn Williams, Jamal Adams and Stephon McLean scored in the 23rd, 25th and 27th minute respectively to level the score at 4-4. Back Circle then took the lead for the first time in the 42nd minute with Williams netting his second.
Nevertheless, Future Stars secured the hard-fought win, tallying two goals in the space of a minute as Solomon and Jermin Junior scored in the 45th and 46th minute each.
In the other semi-final, Gold is Money downed arch-rival Sparta Boss 2-1 in a bruising affair. The win was secured through goals from siblings Jamal and Michael Pedro in the fourth and 29th minute respectively.
Gregory Richardson scored for Sparta Boss in the 23rd minute. Back Circle will lock horns with Sparta Boss in the traditional third place playoff.
Prior to the third place showdown and final, several exhibition matches will be staged.
Winner of the tournament will pocket $700,000 and the championship trophy, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
The sponsors of the event are the Guyana Police Force, Windjammer International Hotel and Cuisine and 94.1 Boom FM.
