Tournament favourite Western Tigers squeaked past Rupununi All-Stars 2-1 when the main draw of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Kashif and Shanghai Super-16 Championship commenced yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
Witnessed in front of a sizable crowd, the Georgetown-based unit took the lead in the 14th minute when midfielder Daniel Wilson found the back of the net. Racing into the centre of the penalty area, Wilson calmly slotted his effort into the lower left corner after receiving a cross from the right side of the field from William Europe.
The score doubled in the 34th minute compliments of a Trayon Bobb conversion.
Latching onto a lobbed pass from Daniel Wilson, the wily winger, after cutting into the right side of the box, finished past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.
Rupununi eventually pulled one back in the 41st minute through Franklyn Parks. The conversion was a moment of individual brilliance as Parks uncorked a powerful effort into the top right hand corner of the net after receiving a cross from the left side.
Upon the resumption of play, Stephen McDonald should have equalised in the 52nd minute, rifling his effort over the crossbar with only the goalkeeper in his path, after receiving a lobbed pass inside the left of the penalty area.
On the other side, Hubert Pedro should have put the game to bed in the 77th minute, blasting his unchallenged effort over the woodwork, after an initial cross from the left side of the field, was parried into his path inside the centre of the box.
Meanwhile, Fruta Conquerors bested Berbice All-Stars 2-0. Dennis Edwards and Jamal Codrington scored in the 23rd and 49th minute respectively.
The winner of the event will pocket $2,000,000 and the championship trophy, while the runners-up will receive $1,000,000. On the other hand, the third and fourth-place finishers will collect $500,000 and $250,000 respectively.
Prior to the start of the second match, the March Pass of the competing teams occurred at the official opening ceremony.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., during the feature remarks at the ceremony, stated that the event highlights not only the power of partnership, but the power of leadership, adding that the ministry values the relationship with each association in its mandate to develop the sport locally.
He praised the Kashif and Shanghai Organization for its contributions in the development of the discipline in the past two decades, noting that the ministry was currently in the process of creating a registry for corporate Guyana which will be utilized in the development of the nation.
Similarly, NSC Chairman and Co-Director of Kashif and Shanghai Organization, Kashif Muhammad stated that the entity was pleased to assist in the development of local football, adding that the sponsors have been pivotal in making the tournament a reality.
GFF President Wayne Forde, acknowledged that the entity is proud to witness the return of competitive play following a two-year dormancy, adding that the power of partnerships with the corporate community indicates the strong relationship that the federation possesses with the sponsors. He thanked the Government of Guyana for its invaluable assistance and contribution, adding that the administration was important to the development of all sports.
The event continues today at the same venue with another doubleheader. In the opening match, East Coast All-Stars will oppose Georgetown All-Stars at 18:00hrs, while Victoria Kings engages the UDFA All-Stars in the feature clash at 20:30hrs.
