It was an evening of unexpected results as defending champion Bent Street and last year’s losing finalist Sparta Boss, were held to scoreless draws when the second annual Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship continued on Tuesday.
Witnessed by a surprisingly large crowd at the National Gymnasium, the star-studded Bent Street unit, which features the likes of Daniel Wilson, Pernell Schultz, Sheldon Holder, Solomon Austin and Kelsey Benjamin, was held to a scoreless draw by a disciplined Melanie side.
Sparta Boss, a team that consists of Gregory Richardson, Jermin Junior, Eusi Phillips, Sheldon Shepherd and newcomer Ryan Hackett, suffered the identical fate in the previous matchup, thwarted by the resolute backline of the Gaza Squad in another scoreless but exciting affair.
The aforementioned results highlighted the unexpected nature of the night as Tiger Bay, Avocado Ballers and California Square incurred unlikely results.
Tiger Bay lost to newcomer Rhythm Ballers 0-1. Wendell Joseph etched his name on the scorer’s sheet in the 14th minute for the East Bank Demerara unit.
Avocado Ballers went down to Kingston by the exact score line. R. Hing found the back of the net in the fourth minute. On the other hand, California Square was held to a 0-0 stalemate by debutant and Linden outfit Capital Strikers.
Meanwhile, heavyweights Gold is Money, Back Circle and Sophia avoided the aforesaid pitfalls to record hard-fought victories. Colin Nelson and Randolph Wagner netted in the fourth and sixth minute, as Gold is Money edged Stabroek Ballers 2-1.
For the loser, Daniel Gibson scored in the seventh minute. Similarly, Back Circle needled BV-B 1-0 compliments of a Selwyn Williams 10th minute effort.
Likewise, Sophia riddled Silver Bullets 3-1, with Dwayne McLennon, Simeon Moore and Shemroy Arthur delivering fatal shots in the fourth, 16th and 18th minute apiece.
For Silver Bullets, Colwyn Drakes scored in the 14th minute. In other result, Good-Life downed BV-B 2-0. Nicholas MacArthur and Jermaine Tinch scored in the ninth and 10th minute respectively.
The nine-day event, which features 32 teams battling for over $900,000 in cash and prizes, will continue on Saturday at the same venue.
The other playing dates are the 13th, 16th, 19th, 21st, and 24th, with the grand finale slated for March 3rd.
Initially to be contested in a group format, upon the conclusion of the group stage, the top two teams from each of the eight groups (four teams per group), will advance to the knockout round
Winner of the event will pocket $500,000 and the championship trophy, while the runner-up receives $200,000 and the corresponding accolade.
On the other hand, the third and fourth placed finishers will walk-away with $100,000 and $50,000 apiece, and the respective trophy.
