KFC Goodwill International Football
– Clarendon dismantles Annai 7-2 to clinch third place
The third time was the charm for Chase’s Academic Foundation (CAF) against St. Benedict’s College of Trinidad and Tobago, as they prevailed in a nail-biting penalty shootout to lift the fifth edition of the KFC Goodwill International Football Championship last evening at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Additionally, the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Raydon Krammer of Chase’s Academic Foundation, was awarded a three-month stint at Academia de Futebol Real Brasil after he was scouted by the entity’s consultant Narada Wilson.
Wilson (right) hands over the MVP trophy to Raydon
Krammer of Chase’s Academic Foundation.
According to Wilson, Krammer ticked the boxes of academics, discipline, footballing IQ, and, most importantly, a willingness to learn to acquire the prestigious stint.
Krammer’s side fought tooth and nail for 120 minutes, and despite being guilty of being wasteful in front of goal, managed to secure a win after full-time ended in a scoreless draw.
The first round of the penalty shootout, which was started by Chase Academy, ended 1-1 as both teams converted from the distance. Chase then took a 2-1 lead at the start of the second round following a conversion.
However, CAF’s goalkeeper Flavio La Rose denied St. Benedict’s second attempt to ensure his side’s advantage remained intact. The score ballooned to 3-2 at the conclusion of the third section as both teams found the back of the net.
A 4-3 score was then realised at the conclusion of the fourth stanza following conversions from both camps. Needing only a conversion to secure the win at the start of the fifth round, CAF’s Neeiaz Baksh would hand St. Benedict’s a lifeline as he slammed his effort over the crossbar, much to the disbelief of the large gathering.
St. Benedict’s would capitalise on the failure of their opponent to send the game into the extra time realm as they converted to level proceedings at 4-4.
The first round of the sudden death realm witnessed both teams converting from the distance as the score ballooned to 5-5. A 6-6 score was then realised as both teams converted with aplomb once more from the distance.
The score increased to 7-7 at the end of the eighth round following another clinical display from both teams.
Chase Academy then seized an 8-7 advantage to start the ninth round of the penalty shootout following a conversion to the right corner. Flavio La Rose, custodian of CAF, then emerged as the hero, saving what would have been St. Benedict’s ninth penalty kick attempt to his left to secure the title.
Prior to the aforesaid conclusion, the normal time interval had seen both sides fail to convert relatively soft chances with La Rose bailing his side out with a triple save in the first half.
Despite heavy rain either side of halftime, the two sides put on a final worthy of an international standard with Brazilian scout Wilson looking on.
With the win, CAF ensured that in their third meeting against St. Benedict’s College, they finally notched up a win when it mattered the most.
In two prior meetings, inclusive of a group stage match earlier in the week, CAF had endured 3-0 losses to the same opposition before coming out 5-4 winners over last year’s winners, Clarendon College, in an all-time classic semifinal.
Meanwhile, in the third place playoff, former champion Clarendon College of Jamaica thrashed Annai of Region #9 7-2 in the third place playoff. Nicholy Forbes bagged a brace in the rout in the 25th and 52nd minutes, while the likes of Patrick Page, Terron Williams, Romario Thompson, Anthony Reid, and Leckeem Mullings scored in the ninth, 22nd, 72nd, 86th, and 89th minutes, respectively.
For the loser, Adrian Cabral and Josh Glasgow found the back of the net in the 59th and 63rd minutes, respectively.
Complete Results
Final
Chase Academy-0 vs. St. Benedict’s College-0
Chase Academy won 8-7 on sudden death penalty kicks
3rd Place
Annai-2 vs. Clarendon College-7
Clarendon scorers
Nicholy Forbes-25th and 52nd
Patrick Page-9th
Terron Williams-22nd
Romario Thompson-72nd
Anthony Reid-86th
Leckeem Mullings-89th
Annai scorers
Adrian Cabral-59th
Josh Glasgow-63rd
