-to clash with Den Amstel in semis
Defending champion, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) overcame Milerock, while Den Amstel dismissed Fruta Conquerors to earn semi-final berths when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Kashif and Shanghai Super-16 Championship continued on Sunday.
Contested under soggy conditions at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, Linden, GDF overcame a 1-0 first half deficit to defeat the Linden outfit 3-1. Denzil Fordyce handed the home side the unlikely lead compliments of a 25th-minute conversion.
A powerful flat cross from the right side of the box evaded the entire backline, allowing the onrushing Fordyce to slam his effort into the back of the net from the left of the area. A combination of poor finishing and dogged defending ensured the scoreline remained unchanged heading into the halftime interval.
However, three goals in the space of 15 minutes changed the complexion of the matchup in favour of the visitors. The equalizer was fashioned in the form of Sherwyn Caesar in the 68th minute.
Awarded a penalty after Job Caesar was brought down in the area, Caesar, who was tasked with the responsibility from the distance, made no mistake, as he fired his effort into the left corner.
The second of the eventual three conversions occurred in the 78th minute, as Benjamin Opara scored, placing his effort into the left corner from the top of the box, after receiving a flat pass from the right side of the field.
The come-from-behind win was then completed in the 83rd minute, as Caesar sealed his brace. Racing away from the backline to latch onto a through pass, Caesar hammered his effort across the body of the advancing goalkeeper following a one-on-one situation, into the far corner.
Meanwhile, a rampant Den Amstel made light work of Fruta Conquerors compliments of a 3-1 score. Three unanswered goals in the first period by the West Demerara giant effectively ended the contest.
Gideon Payne opened the scoring in the 15th minute under fortuitous circumstances, racing onto a loose ball and finishing in the back of the net, after an initial strike deflected off a defender and fell into his path inside the area.
Keanu Lawrence then made his presence felt in the 26th minute, finishing past the advancing goalkeeper from inside the 18-yard box, after pouncing on the ball which slowed down due to the soggy conditions underfoot.
The 3-0 first half lead was then sealed two minutes later, with Lawrence once again etching his name on the scorer’s sheet to secure his double compliments of a header into the far corner after receiving a cross from a free-kick.
Fruta Conquerors would record a consolation goal in the 51st minute, as Raushan Ritch scored. Racing away from his marker, Ritch lobbed his effort over the advancing shot-stopper from inside the penalty box during a one-on-one situation.
Den Amstel will not lock horns with GDF in the semi-final round which is penciled for tomorrow.
