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Tiger Bay roar to Guinness ‘Greatest of De Street’ football title
Banks DIH Marketing Executive Carlton Joao (right of trophy) hands over the top cash prize and championship trophy to captain of the Tiger Bay Crew, Shawn Bishop, in the presence of ecstatic teammates and a few supporters.
Tame Albouystown 1-0, East Front Road take 3rd
By Franklin Wilson
It was a dazzling climax to what has turned out to be a great Guinness ‘Greatest of De Street’ Football tournament and Tiger Bay duly proved that they are number one in the City with a clinical 1-0 win over Albouystown in Saturday night’s final at the National Park Tarmac.
Watched by a massive crowd which included Marketing Executive of sponsors Banks DIH, Carlto Joao, Champions Tiger Bay and Albouystown entertained the gathering with end to end action, but the young Tigers from the Bay could not have been kept at bay by their opponents.
Taking the third place was East Front Road who demolished the challenge of Globe Yard 2-0. Andy Duke in the 5th and Devon Cassius in the 13th netted to ensure East took home the $50,000 third place prize while Globe Yard pocketed $25,000.
But the tone for what turned out to be an exhilarating championship match was set by local Artiste’s Michelle ‘Big Red’ King with her pulsating Soca Rhythm’s and International Recording Group, First Born, with their conscious Reggae Vibes that had the National Park crowd rocking.
From the first whistle, it was clear as day that Tiger Bay came with a game plan of attacking their opponents with quick intelligent plays as they passed the ball around. Shawn Bishop and Solomon Austin led their charges, letting off numerous shots many of which came breathtakingly close to scoring.
Scorer of the $200,000 goal Solomon Austin (right) and Shawn Bishop (partly hidden) closely watches this opposing player in the Final of the Guinness ‘Greatest of De Street’ Football on Saturday. (Franklin Wilson Photo)
But Albouystown did well to absorb the early onslaught and as time ticked away, were able to respond and put in a few counter plays.
And as is the norm, utterances of advice were being belted out to both teams by the ardent and passionate supporters who were becoming anxious to see goals but that did not materialise.
The second half was similar to the first as neither team got the desired openings to score and just when it seemed that the might very well be decided via penalty kicks, Austin put foot on ball from just over the half way line in the Albouystown half and fired a scud missile that eluded all the opposing players and exploded when it hit the intended target, goal in the 33rd minute.
Breaking the deadlock sent the Tiger Bay supporters into massive celebrations. When they calmed down it was now time for squeezing since they realised that just a few minutes remained but the Albouystown fans now went into overdrive shouting encouragement to their villagers with the aim of seeing an equaliser which never happened.
When the final whistle went it meant that Tiger Bay not only earned the top prize of $200,000 but also bragging rights as the best street team. Albouystown received $100,000 for their efforts.
Executive members of Banks DIH Carlton Joao, Lee Baptiste and Mortimer Stewart all assisted with the presentation of cash and trophies which were done immediately after the final. Similar tournaments are expected to be held in other parts of Guyana.
Joao, in an invited comment, expressed satisfaction at what was a really well run competition. He congratulated all the teams that participated and those who made it all the way.
“We are really pleased with the response that we saw, the fans were great, the players played out their hearts but only one could have won. The organisers also did a splendid job in getting the teams together and we want to let everyone know that we are very thankful for their support.”
A total of 32 teams started the tournament which was played in various wards around Georgetown.
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