The GT All Stars team edged the Linden All Stars 1-0 in a thrilling end-to-end encounter in the final of the ‘Bounce Back’ tournament on New Year’s Day at the National Stadium.
Winger, Kelsey Benjamin’s strike in the 69th minute proved to be the game-winner in the first organized football event staged here amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the two-day, four-team-mini tournament, both teams had shown a flair for scoring goals while also being shaky defensively and so many expected this to be a very open game.
Both sides had attacking lineups and everyone was excited for a possible goal fest.
However, on a slippery surface due to rainfall coupled with rust, the technical abilities of the players were somewhat off, leading to several wasted chances for the finalists who could not find the back of the net.
Playing to a stalemate in the first half, many thought the game would be decided on penalties.
Benjamin did not get the memo.
The 21 year-old pounced on a loose ball in midfield on the left side and raced to the other end as some of the Linden defenders were occupied complaining to the referee of a foul.
Benjamin dribbled past a defender, just inside the box, gathered his footing and sent a right-footer past the outstretched hands of Linden’s custodian.
The sea-saw affair continued but the visitors to the city just could not find an equalizer.
The ballers from the Mining Town will regret not converting any of the chances that were offered up to them on a surreal occasion at the empty stadium, but it was an extraordinary success for Benjamin and his teammates who are happy for the return of organized, structured football that was shut down since last March.
Said the national player who also earned the MVP honors of the tournament “I feel great to be back playing football. I was waiting for this from the beginning of the year and I’m thankful that football is back and that the organizers gave the football players a chance to start on the right footing for the new year.”
The GT All Stars certainly started off on the right footing, they will be walking all the way to the bank to cash their $1M first prize cheque.
The Linden All Stars pocketed half that amount for the event which was a collaborative effort involving the Kashif and Shanghai Organization, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
Following the match, GFF President, Wayne Forde told the media that all things being equal he was pleased with the quality of the tournament and thanked everyone involved for making it a success. He added that the tournament proved that the federation has what it takes to stage tournaments in a safe manner amid the pandemic.
