Defending champion, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Western Tigers will face off in the finale of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Kashif and Shanghai Super-16 Championship on January 1st , 2022, following semi-final wins yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
It will be the second consecutive finals appearance for the army unit, who overcame the 2018 winner of the tournament, Den Amstel, 3-1 on penalty kicks, after regulation and extra time ended in a 2-2 draw. The West Demerara unit performed inadequately from the penalty mark, as they failed to score three of their eventual four attempts.
The shoot-out started poorly for Den Amstel, as they spurned their opening shot, allowing GDF the opportunity to take a 1-0 lead which they did. GDF maintained their advantage at 2-1 in the second round, as both teams converted from the distance.
The scores then remained unchanged at 2-1 in the third stanza, following failed conversions from both sides. Another failure to score from the mark to start to fourth round by Den Amstel, handed the army unit the opportunity to seize the advantage.
GDF quickly capitalised to seal the outcome as they converted their fourth opportunity. Meanwhile, Western Tigers came from behind to defeat the Guyana Police Force (GPF) 2-1 in the earlier semi-final fixture. Following a scoreless first half interval, Jermin Junior handed the lawmen the lead, as he found the back of the net in the 65th minute.
Racing onto a long lobbed pass from Sherwin Skeete which evaded the backline, Junior uncorked a powerful effort from the right side of the penalty area, into the left hand corner of the net.
GPF’s lead lasted for the duration of 30 minutes, as William Europe secured the timely equalizer in the 85th with a moment of individual brilliance. Awarded a free kick outside the left of the penalty area, Europe uncorked a left footed strike which evaded the wall and nestled into the top right hand corner.
The go-ahead winner was then realised two minutes later in the form of Trayon Bobb. Sprinting onto a through pass, the wily attacker slotted his effort past the advancing custodian into the back of the net, following a one-on-one encounter.
It went from bad to worse for the lawmen as Jemar Harrigon was issued a red card in the 90th minute, after receiving his second bookable offence. The losing semi-finalists will face-off in the third place playoff.
The tournament continues on the 29th with the semi-final round of matches. The winner of the tournament will pocket $2,000,000 and the championship trophy, while the runner-up will collect $1,000,000. Third and fourth place finishers will receive $500,000 and $250,000 respectively.
