Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
Contrasting results on day 4 of 20th Kashif & Shanghai
Carlos Brown leads 10-man Topp XX to grinding win; Alpha pummels Grove Hi Tec
7-1
By Franklin Wilson
Seventeen year-old Bakewell Topp XX goalkeeper Carlos Brown was the hero of his side’s pulsating 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over fellow Linden side Netrockers in the feature game on day 4 of the 20th Kashif & Shanghai football tournament contested at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden on Saturday evening.
The first game saw one-time champs Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United hammering their way to an emphatic 7-1 win over upstarts Grove Hi Tec, Dwain Jacobs and Dwight peters netting a brace each.
Collie Hercules
Unlike the Alpha/Grove match, the main event between Topp XX and Netrockers was undoubtedly the most exciting game of the tournament up to day 4. It produced high end action from the very start until the last, the penalty kicks, the two sides battling to an exciting 2-2 tie at the end of regulation and extra-time.
Neither team hauled off the accelerator at anytime time and even though what seemed to be a controversial goal scored by Netrockers to take the lead in the dying stages of extra-time, Topp XX, the most successful team in Kashif and Shanghai history (5 time champs) never lost focus and nailed the equalizer in the penultimate minute of 30 minutes of extra time to send the game into penalty kicks.
Led by Captain Kayode McKinnon and Collie Hercules who did not even kick from the spot, Topp XX emerged victors by a 3-2 margin with the unsound hero of the game turning out to be 17 year-old goalkeeper Carlos Brown who brought off two magnificent saves, that of Colric Beckles and Tony ‘Spirit’ Adams, the third and fifth kickers.
Kayode McKinnon, Michael Crandon and Kwesi Johnson were the players on target for the winners from the spot.
Carlos Brown
Topp XX, after taking the lead in regulation time through Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules who skillfully controlled the pass with his chest just inside the box and fired a right foot rocket that beat Netrockers custodian Deon Tyrell all ends up in the 73rd minute, were earlier reduced to 10 when Javin Crawford was sent off for using abusive language to the assistant referee in the 58th.
Crawford’s loss seemingly, did not see the Topp XX side panicking but they stuck to their task well. Netrockers too, kept pressing forward and were rewarded with the neutralizing goal in the 2nd minute of added on time (90+2), compliments of Keon Bristol when it seemed that Topp XX were heading to victory.
The first period of extra time saw the scores remaining 1-1 with the anticipation of a real pulsating finish in the making. And that did happen. With 9 minutes to go (90 + 21), a long ball from Netrockers slipped through the grasp of Brown close to the goal line at the far post ending up just outside of the nets, it was ruled a goal by Referee Roy Mc Arthur who pointed to the centre.
While Netrockers were celebrating, the Topp XX team protested passionately that the ball did not enter the goal, but Referee Mc Arthur stuck to his decision. The game was halted briefly as scores of spectators also joined the short protest.
Many persons went to the area of dispute (goal) to inspect the nets and were all wondering where the ball passed. Mc Arthur later stated that the ball burst the nets on its way through.
After brief negotiations, the game restarted and no doubt, the atmosphere was one of anger and disappointment but Topp XX somehow maintained their composure and focus admirably.
Kwesi Johnson
While Netrockers were sitting in the driver’s seat, their opponents conjured up other ideas and with one minute to the end of extra time; Kwesi Johnson pulled one out of the bag. It was a header that had goal written all over as it settled in the back of the nets. The equalizer sent the crowd into wild celebrations.
But the drama was not yet over, it was now Brown’s turn to step up and he did it with assurance and poise saving two of the Netrockers shots, their first kick went wide of the uprights as Ray Fraser missed the entire goal.
It was a fitting climax to a high quality and exhilarating encounter. Topp XX became the 5th team to advance to the quarter-finals joining defending champions Pele, Sunburst Camptown, Fruta Conquerors and Alpha United. Three more quarter-final slots remain to be filled.
The feature game overshadowed somewhat, Alpha’s thrashing of Grove Hi Tec who were outplayed. The East Bank team did enjoy a few good moments but were no match for the giant killers.
Dwight Peters scored in the 57th and 65th, Dwain Jacobs was on target in the 80th and 90th while guest player T&T based Keon Edwards added one in the 31st minute on an assist from Walter Moore; Edison Gomes added his name to the list in the 83rd minute. An own goal in the 15th minute from a corner sent Alpha on their way.
Grove, who enjoyed a dream start to the tournament when they upset Milerock 1-0 in their opening game, pulled one back in the 69th minute when the hard working Teshawn Blackman in a smart move lobbed the ball over the head of the advancing Ronson Williams.
Alpha’s dominating performance will put them in good stead ahead of their quarter-final clash on Friday (Christmas day) at the National Stadium against Fruta Conquerors.
The final group-of-sixteen matches which will decide the eight quarter-finalists will be contested at the GFC ground Wednesday evening. The Guyana Defence Force battles Seawall FC while BK International Western Tigers come up against the winner of the Victoria Kings/New Amsterdam United encounter which was played last evening at the Blairmont Community Centre ground.
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