Battle for K&S semi-final berths kicks off at Stadium

Dec 25, 2008 Sports

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Alpha, Pele, Western Tigers & GDF square off tonight

By Franklin Wilson
It’s now down to the final eight in the 19th Kashif and Shanghai Football tournament with quarter-final play set to start at the National Stadium, Providence this evening with the first two matches.
Defending champions Alpha United face off against Pele in what is shaping up as a scorching main event, the curtain raiser is between BK International Western Tigers and the Guyana Defence Force.
The level of competition so far has been keen despite the rainy weather and the best teams have made it past the first hurdle. The coaching staffs of all the teams hunting the first prize of one million dollars have expressed confidence in their charges but in this version of the game, only the best will survive.
Defending champions Alpha United in their first game hammered Cougars 10-1 signaling that they mean serious business and any team coming in their path will feel the hammer. Leading goal scorer to date Elton Brown with 5, strike partner Kithson Bain of Grenada who along with midfielder Andrew Murray, who both netted a brace, will be at the helm of the Alpha attack again against Pele whose forward line will be strengthened with the arrival of leading Joe Public striker and Pro League player Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson.
Pele once regarded as the local knock-out artist’s are aiming to reclaim dominance in this version of the sport but will face a tuff task against the rampant Alpha which has won five-championships in 2008 to date. The year started with victory in the Kashif and Shanghai against Bakewell Topp XX and according to head coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover they have trained to retain their crown.
The defensive make up of both sides also boast a number of Golden Jaguars, teaming up with regulars Quincy Madramootoo and Kelvin McKenzie for Alpha is Howard Lowe, goalkeeper Shawn Johnson is also expected to be back in contention for Alpha but is not expected to start ahead of Ronson Williams who has been doing an excellent job between the uprights.

Senior National Captain Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard will be donning Pele colours and the battle between him and Bain is expected to be keen. The two met earlier this year when Grenada visited Guyana and defeated the Golden Jaguars at the GCC ground.
It was Bain who collided with Pollard who sustained an injury which kept him out of action for a couple of months. But all that is now behind them making this evening’s clash a potentially exciting affair.
Alpha though, will go into the clash with the psychological advantage having defeated Pele 3-1 when they last met in the Cellink Premier League.
The curtain raiser featuring the Guyana Defence Force and the resurgent BK International Western Tigers is also expected to be a scorching affair.
GDF had to dig deep to overcome a very game Bakewell Buxton United on Sunday last and according to coach Marlon Washington, it is always good to start a competition of this nature with a tough match up.
While not underestimating the Tigers, Washington believes that the Army is equipped with the necessary artillery to shoot down the Tigers.

But coach of the Western Tigers Leonard Williams said he is confident that his team will be able to get past the Army tonight.
“We have trained very hard and we up to the task of putting the Army team away to move to the next stage of the tournament.”
The final two quarter-final matches will be played at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground tomorrow evening. Five-time champions and eight-time finalists Bakewell Topp XX are down to meet Santos in the feature game.
Santos, who were drafted in at late notice after the non arrival of Trinidad and Tobago’s K Brans Sports Club, jumped the first hurdle without much bother, getting the better of Mahaica Determinators 2-0. Topp XX was pushed to the brink before overcoming the fierce challenge of fellow Linden side Rusal by the odd goal in three.
Boasting a line up that includes Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules, Carey Harris, Kayode McKinnon and goalie Richard ‘Loddo’ Reynolds as well as home support, Santos, will be up against it but have expressed self-confidence that they will be worthy opponents who can also win the match up.
The opening game, dubbed the clash of the juices, features old rivals Sunburst Camptown and Fruta Conquerors. Both sides have won this prestigious competition twice before while advancing to the finals three times each.
The last time they met, Camptown won 2-1 to take the third place in the NAMILCO Football Festival. Nigel Codrington who netted a double in their 3-0 win over Eagles United will once again lead Camptown’s challenge. Delon Williams is expected to carry Conquerors’ charge.
As one of the coaches reminded, the playing field is level and the ball is round but whichever team is able to execute their plan better than the other, they will come out victorious.
The winners of the four quarter-finals match-ups will move on to the semi-finals set for Sunday at the National Stadium, Providence which is also the venue for the final on January 1, 2009.

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