Guyana Defence Force march off with Mayor’s Cup

Jun 08, 2010 Sports

After two weeks of pulsating action in the final rounds of the competition, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) emerged as the top team when the curtains came down on this year’s edition of the Mayor’s Cup Football tournament at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground, Sunday evening last.
Witnessed by undoubtedly the largest crowd to attend the competition, the soldiers eked out a 5-4 victory from the penalty spot, over Santos FC, after regulation and extra time ended in a 0-0 stalemate. This was shortly after Conquerors FC, led by a double from Mustapha Haqq in the 24th and 38th minutes and a 60th minute success off the boot of Paul Bobb, snatched the third place playoff from Rhythm Squad by a 3-1 margin. Llyton Ramsey saved the Rhythm Squad some blushes when he netted a consolation goal in the 90th minute.
The Army played commendable football from the onset with excellent ball distribution and good counter plays. The first half started at a terrific pace with each team attempting to seize the initiative. William Europe should have sent his team ahead shortly after the start when he received a pass from the right wing and made a mess of the opportunity despite advancing to the opposition’s goal mouth.
Shortly afterwards the soldiers were guilty of tardy play when they failed to convert from a goal scrimmage.
Fortunes then fluctuated with one team then the other making blunders. Santos’ Mark Glasgow first dribbled down the left wing and was meters in front of the opposition’s goal but could only mange a tame kick that the Army custodian scooped up and flung into the middle of the field to recommence the attack.
This was the sum total of the first half, characterized by blatant blunders and near misses.
Both teams turned in determined efforts in the second half but both sides were still guilty of tardy play. Despite this, however, the standard of play was reasonably high as both teams, realizing the prize at stake, fought furiously to seize the initiative.
The goals did not materialize and at the final whistle the scores remained the same forcing the game into extra time. Even then, the players were unable to break the deadlock, returning for the penalty shootout.
In a keen tussle for supremacy, the Army held their nerve to eke out a well deserved 5-4 victory sending their supporters into throes of delight.
Meanwhile, Mayor Hamilton Green was on hand to perform the traditional kick off to start the game. This was after he had joined several officials to meet the teams before the start of the game. Among them were former General Secretary of the GFF, George Rutherford, Kashif and Shanghai representative, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and President of the Western Tigers FC, Gordon Gilhuys. Representatives of Digicel, Public Relation and Events Manager, Shonette Moore and Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James, were also a part of the entourage that greeted the players before the start of the game.
The champions, GDF, will collect the first prize of $500,000, while $200,000 goes to the second placed finisher Santos, third placed Fruta Conquerors receives $100,000 and the fourth placed Rhythm Squad collects $50,000. The presentation is set for tomorrow at the Mayor’s office at City Hall at 11:00am.
Among the sponsors for the tournament are Roshan Khan, DDL, Banks DIH, Digicel, Guyana Beverage Company Ltd, Giftland Office Max, Macorp, Courtney Benn and Nazar Mohammed of Mohammed’s Enterprise.
Two prizes for the Most Valuable Player were donated by Keishar’s and AH&L Kissoon Ltd, while Digicel will hand over a cell phone to the player scoring the most goals.
The Keith Smartt Lien Trophy will go to the GDF.

Latest News

Guyana Defence Force march off with Mayor’s Cup

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | February, 3rd, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

EBDCA/D&R Construction 40-Over Cricket Competition continues

GFF announces final squad for Concacaf U-17...

Cricket West Indies announces exciting 2025...

BCA, GCB to attend CWI meeting on February 9

Bolstered Harpy Eagles eyeing perfect home record...

Hockey PAHF Junior Challenge schedule released

Features/Columnists

What Guyanese leaders can learn from Donald Trump

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

VP Jagdeo on PPP comrades benefitting

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Guyana Defence Force march off with Mayor’s Cup

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | February, 3rd, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]