By Michaelangelo Jacobus
Fruta Conquerors needed penalty kicks to defeat Santos FC as the curtains came down on the fifth edition of the National Sports Commission-sponsored Ralph Green/EBFA Under-11 League at the Agricola Ground on Sunday.
Conquerors got over their opponents 3-2 from the spot after regulation time saw Santos equalising in the final minute of normal time to end the game at 1-1 by the final whistle.
After going behind in the 26th minute, Santos FC’s Octane Moore beat the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, Clive Jacobs in the 30th and final minute of regulation time to spark wild celebrations on the bench. Up until Dontay Kowlessar scored for Fruta, it had been a very evenly contested game which saw both teams doing well in offence and defence.
was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.
However, there was only going to be one winner and it turned out to be Conquerors whose players held their nerves to score all three of their kicks, Santos on the other hand, scored two and missed two.
Kowlessar for his eye-catching performances throughout the League, was named the Most Valuable Player.
Meanwhile in the third-place encounter, Friendship All-Stars’ Jahfree Davson netted the only goal of the game after just four minutes of play. Swan did their best to find the equaliser but despite their aggressive efforts were unable to break down Friendship’s backline. The eventual third place winners line-up included 9-year-old Christopher Hunte who was named the tournament’s Most Promising Player.
On the other hand Swan’s Eleon James copped the Most Disciplined Player award while Conquerors’ Dane Vancooten was the tournament’s Highest Goal Scorer with eight goals. The respective individuals who were awardees, each received a Plaque and an electronic tablet.
Fruta Conqueror’s Coach, Sampson Gilbert received the Best Coach Plaque while Swan’s Coach, Andre Gonsalves accepted the Team Sportsmanship Plaque for a high level of discipline exhibited throughout the League.
Each of the fourteen teams that initially began the tournament, were presented with branded numbered tops inclusive of the goalkeepers and each team also received two footballs whilst each Coach also received a jersey.
Apart from the final four teams, the others were Herstelling Raiders, Timehri Panthers, Diamond United, Den Amstel, Samatta Point/Kaneville, Pouderoyen, Eagles of Stewartville, Agricola Red Triangle, Riddim Squad, and Vengy.
