Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Kashif & Shanghai Semi-final dye cast
Alpha face Sunburst Camptown; Pele play BK Int. Western Tigers @ Stadium tonight
By Franklin Wilson
The battles will be fierce at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence when the semi-finals of the 20th Kashif and Shanghai football tournament are contested this evening. All the teams are just a win away from the championship match and they are all well oiled and running.
Sunburst Camptown was the first to book their place when they turned back the challenge of first-timers Riddim Squad by a 3-0 margin in the supporting game to the epic battle on Christmas night which saw defending champions Pele absorbing importunate pressure from the Guyana Defence Force before turning the tables in the dying moments of the battle to win by the odd goal in 3 in added on time.
Nigel Codrington (right)
The final two quarter-final clashes played on Boxing night at varying venues saw BK International Western Tigers upstaging home team Bakewell Topp XX 2-1 at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground and in the city at the GFC ground, Alpha United hammered Fruta Conquerors 4-0.
Western Tigers is the only team out of the final four which has never won Kashif and Shanghai and have expressed the confidence that this is their year to shine. They took the lead against Topp XX when Phillip Rowley drilled a shot past the goalkeeper in the 40th minute of a close contest.
That advantage did not last for long, veteran Topp XX player Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules four minutes into the second half from outside the area launched a well executed shot that rang past the Western defence and goalie to equalize the score.
It then took the efforts of the ever lurking Devon Millington in the 51st minute to restore the advantage for the Tigers, virtually sealing their place in the semis and a date with defending champions Pele. A Topp XX defender pushed the ball back to his keeper but the alert Millington intercepted the pass, dribbled the goalie before pushing the ball into the open goal, another defender tried his utmost to keep the ball out but only succeeded in helping the ball into the goal.
Neither team were able to add to their tally, the game ending 2-1 in favor of the Tigers.
At the GFC ground in the city, Alpha followed up their 7-1 thrashing of Grove Hi Tec with another clinical display against Fruta Conquerors whom they defeated 4-0.
Conquerors did not pose any threats to the one-time K&S champs who netted at regular intervals during the game. Captain Howard Lowe from a set play netted the first goal 13 minutes on, Dwight Peters steadily returning to ominous form scored the second goal on the stroke of half time.
T&T based striker Keyon Edwards, the second highest goal scorer in the Pro League, converted goal number three in the 58th minute while Edison Gomes made it a 4-0 game with his 89th minute strike.
This evening’s opening game at 18:00hrs between Alpha and Camptown will renew familiar rivalry between both sides with the former enjoying the better of the exchanges in the recent past. Alpha’s lineup is solid as ever and Camptown will be in for a tough game but the Campbellville boys led by Nigel ‘Powers’ Codrington seems up to the task of turning the tables.
Inspirational midfielder Troy ‘Bugs’ Prescod who missed the first two games due to suspension is expected to be back for Camptown this evening and will have to play a big game if his team is to move onto the final on New Year’s Night.
Lance Rolston who has been enjoying a great tournament to date with goals in each game, Telson McKinnon, Reshawn Sandiford, Chris Camacho, Kwame La Fleur, Norris Carter who is also expected to be back after being red carded in the first game at Enmore, Sherwin Cadogan, Orlando Gilgeous, Richie Richards, Bevon Moseley, Anthony Belfield, Adrian Adonis and Shawn Johnson will all have to play a big roll if Camptown is to advance.
Alpha’s challenge will be led by their Captain Howard Lowe, Walter Moore, Kelvin McKenzie, Anthony Harding, Issa McPherson, Gordon Henry, Shawn Bishop, Ronson Williams, Keyon Edwards, Akeem Armstrong, Andrew Murray, Dwight Peters, Edison Gomes, Dwain Jacobs and Leon Grumble.
The main event tonight between Pele and Western Tigers is expected to produce lots of fireworks with both teams expected to fire on all cylinders. The defence of both teams will be critical to their victory bid.
At the helm for the defending champs will be Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard in central defence along with Solomon Austin, Captain Dirk Archer, Travis Grant, Shemroy Arthur, Konata Manning, Marvin Joseph, Calvin Shepherd, Okene Fraser, Troy Kellman, Gregory Richardson and Gerald Whittington.
Western’s challenge will carried by UK based Shawn Beveney, Devon Millington, Eron Hayde, Sherman David, Dillon Fraser, Phillip Rowley, Maxwell Pellew, Dwayne Ali, Shad Fernandes, Colin Nelson, Ryan Thomas, Michael Henry, Ola Pedro, Travis Bess and Derrick Carter.
Tournament history for final four teams:
Team Championship
Pele
2008/2009 (finalists in 1996/1997, 1997/1998)
Alpha United
2007/2008 (finalists in 2005/2006)
Sunburst Camptown
1993/1994, 2003/2004 (finalists 2000/2001)
BK Int. Western Tigers
Lost 2002/2003 final to Fruta Conquerors
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