Hubert Pedro, Captain of the Defending Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Champions, Gold is Money, is confident that his team can successfully defend their championship, when the event commences Friday.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport, Pedro said, “We are ready we know that we are one of the best teams even though we have not won many titles. We are one of the teams that much is expected of and going into this, we are fully confident. It’s a format that we play a lot and have much experience. I am very confident and the team is as well in retaining the title.”
Gold is Money secured their maiden Georgetown zone championship, defeating fierce rival and tournament giant Sparta Boss 1-0 in last year’s final.
The West Ruimveldt outfit also completed the coveted double, after defeating Sparta Boss 4-0 in the National Championship.
Questioned about the status of the team’s preparation, he revealed, “We have not had much preparation but we know the version very well. One of the main focus is to win the first game and get into the group and as the tournament progress, the team will get better. Preparation wise, the team has many individuals that are working so we didn’t get the usual amount of preparation as before. The little time we have we utilize and play and train together.”
Quizzed about the teams that can pose a threat to the successful defense of their title, Pedro said, “We know that Sparta Boss is one of the teams that is suited for this format, there is also Back Circle, Tiger Bay, Leopold Street, Bent Street and North East La Penitence. These are some of the teams that will be dangerous and will challenge for the title.”
According to Pedro, the tournament has become the bench mark for community football.
“It is a massive tournament, this is the event that all the players, even club players look forward to. Right now in the streets and communities all you are hearing is about the tournament and this is what the small goal players looking forward,” he declared.
“The tournament has a big impact in the communities, it brings people and players together because football can bring a nation together. We all know winning the tournament puts respect in your community and gives them bragging rights,” he added.
The competition which is to commence at the National Cultural Centre tarmac, will be officially launched today at the Thirst Park venue.
The first two match days will feature elimination matches with the respective winners advancing to the group round. The final elimination night will be staged on Saturday. The other playing nights are July 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th and August 3rd.
Three venues are to be utilised. They include the National Cultural Centre Tarmac, Burnham Court and the National Racquet Centre.
The group round will be played over the following three nights, with the top two finishers from each section advancing to the quarterfinal and subsequent semi-final round.
This will be hosted on the penultimate date. The eight teams which fail to advance from the group round will compete in the Guinness Plate Championship.
The overall winner will automatically seal their place in the National Championship in August.
To date Beacons [Bartica Champion], Melanie-B [East Coast Demerara winner], Brothers United [West Demerara/East Bank Demerara winner], Trafalgar [Berbice champion] and High Rollers [Linden champion] are the teams to have secured automatic berths to the national championship.
Below features the fixtures for the elimination matches.
Elimination Fixtures
Friday Fixtures-July 12th-National Cultural Centre Tarmac
(1)Trap Squad vs LA Ballers
(2)Upsetters vs Albouystown-A
(3)North Ruimveldt vs John Street
(4)California Square vs Alexander Village
(5)North East La Penitence vs Stabroek Ballers
(6)Norton Street vs Back Circle
(7)Sparta Boss vs Judgment Yard
(8)Gold is Money vs Globe Yard
Saturday Fixtures-July 13th-Burnham Court Tarmac
(1)Rising Stars vs Good-over-Evil
(2)Ol-Skool Ballers vs Sophia
(3)Albouystown-B vs Berlin
(4)Kingston vs Broad Street
(5)Bent Street vs Charlotte Street
(6)Future Stars vs Sophia United
(7)Leopold Street vs Pike Street
(8)Queen St Tiger Bay vs Smyth Street
