Kingston officially earned the moniker of dark horse after they sent defending champions Sparta Boss packing 3-1 in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship Thursday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
The result is the biggest upset in local futsal history and Kingston earned their place in the quarterfinal round and a date with newcomer Spartacus at the same venue. Stephon Reynolds was a one-man army in the round of 16 clash as he recorded an impressive first half hat-trick in the third, sixth and 10th minute. On target in the loss was Gregory Richardson in the eighth minute.
Kingston’s opponent Spartacus, sealed their place in the quarterfinal section following a 6-1 thrashing of Street 6-1. Simeon Moore tallied a hat-trick in the ninth, 11th and 16th minute, with Mark Carrega adding a double in the fifth and 18th minute.
Assisting with a goal in the 14th minute was Osric Barrow. For the loser, Omar Sinclair netted in the seventh minute. Meanwhile, former champion Bent Street brushed aside Mocha 5-0 led by a hat-trick from Sheldon Holder in the fourth, fifth and seventh minute.
Contributing goals were Colin Nelson and Jermaine Beckles in the ninth and 17th minute respectively. Their quarterfinal foe Sophia battled past Ansa McAl All-Stars 3-2 on penalty kicks following a 3-3 score at the end of normal time. Gerald Grittens netted a brace in the fifth and seventh minute for Sophia while Joshua Kamal scored in the ninth minute.
For Ansa McAl, Shamar Fraser scored twice in the 12th and 18th minute while Akin Curry found the back of the net in the fourth minute. Gold is Money and Leopold Street will face-off in another chapter of their storied rivalry.
Leopold Street downed Avocado Ballers 2-0 through conversions from Omallo Williams and Darren Benjamin in the eighth and 10th minute apiece. Gold is Money edged Alexander Village 2-1 led by goals from Randolph Wagner and Andrew Murray in the seventh and 18th minute each. For the loser, Shem Porter scored in the sixth minute.
Meanwhile, Back Circle and Rio All-Stars will battle in the final quarterfinal matchup. Back Circle defeated Albouystown 2-0. Donovan Francis and Selwyn Williams etched their name on the scorer’s sheet in the 17th and 18th minute respectively while Rio All-Stars squeaked past Future Stars 1-0. Jermaine Junior scored in the 12th minute. The winner of the respective quarterfinal matches will progress to the semifinal round on February 15th.
