Sparta Boss was crowned the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Kashif and Shanghai Futsal champions after they defeated fierce rivals Bent Street 5-3 on penalty kicks Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.
Locked 4-4 at the end of regulation and extra time in front of a capacity crowd, a penalty shootout was required to determine the outcome of the event.
Eusi Phillips opened the scoring for Sparta from the distance with a powerful right footed effort. However, Jermin Junior responded to level proceedings at 1-1.
The second round mirrored the first, as Jeremy Garrett converted for Sparta Boss and Pernell Schultz for Bent Street to make it 2-2.
However, the third stanza proved to be the turning point in the clash. Curtez Kellman was on target for Sparta Boss to push the score to 3-2.
On the other side, Bent Street failed to maintain their perfect record from the distance as Colin Nelson was denied by the custodian Devon Charles.
Sparta Boss quickly capitalized when Ryan Hackett made no mistake from the distance to further strengthen his side’s position at 4-2. Daniel Wilson then reduced the deficit for Bent Street at 4-3, as he clinically converted.
Nonetheless, the title was sealed at the start of the fifth and final round, as talisman Sheldon Shepherd slammed his effort into the back of the net to spark wild celebrations.
Prior to the aforementioned conclusion, Clive Nobrega gave Bent Street the lead with a fourth minute strike. However, Hackett, the eventual most valuable player (MVP), restored parity to proceedings three minutes onward.
The score remained unchanged heading into the halftime interval. Hackett then made his presence felt once more to push Sparta into the lead at 2-1 in the 33rd minute. Nonetheless, extra time was then required after Junior equalized in the 40th minute.
Gregory Richardson then got into the scoring act in the 41st minute to restore Sparta Boss’s lead at 3-2. However, two goals from Schultz in the 45th and 46th minute sent Bent Street ahead in the tense fixture at 4-3.
Further drama would unfold as Shepherd secured the equalizer in the 48th minute for Sparta Boss, sending the match to its eventual conclusion. With the result, Sparta Boss walked away with $1,000,000 and the championship trophy, while Bent Street pocketed $500,000 and the corresponding accolade.
On the individual side, Hackett walked away with a motorcycle after being adjudged the MVP. Meanwhile, in the third place playoff, Gold is Money defeated Leopold Street 3-1. Due to the outcome, Gold is Money received $250,000, while Leopold Street collected $100,000.
