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Interesting quarterfinals tonight as best teams battle for championship prize
It’s crunch time and the two quarterfinals matches between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) up against Conqueror’s FC and Western Tigers opposing the Camptown FC are shaping up to be scorching affairs as these teams get ready for battle when the 13th edition of the Mayor’s Cup Football competition enters the crucial stage with both teams nurturing great ambitions of advancing to the next final tonight.
Nedd Fraser
Trevon Lythcott
Indeed, after weeks of pulsating action the top guns have distinguished themselves and it’s anyone’s guess which team will advance and finally win the first prize of one million dollars and the prestigious trophy at stake. Already, Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United FC and Pele FC have advanced to the semifinal round with commanding victories over Santos FC and Riddim Squad FC respectively. Those teams are now awaiting the outcome of tonight’s matches before planning their strategies for the semifinals and consequently, final. There is still much work to be done.
In a match that will be decided by strategies and technical ploys, the pundits are waging their bets based on the composition of the teams. The soldiers would be fielding the likes of Royan Morrison, Hubert Pedro and Desford Williams, all capable and reliable point men whose input could turn the tide in the Army’s favour.
The Conquerors players are by no means shirkers and one could expect them battling furiously to advance to the next stage. Trevon Lythcott has proven his worth as a staunch midfielder but he has battled as a wing back and will provide valuable options for his coach.
Then there is Delon Williams who has manned the right flank before and may very well be called to duty in that position. Add the formidable duo, forward Joylon Harry, utility player Colin Edwards and the pundits know that the battle is really on.
Naturally, the Army would be cognizant of the strength of their adversaries and would be fielding a team with the intention of counteracting their adversary’s ploys. With this in mind fans could expect to see strikers Hubert Pedro and Delroy Deen leading their charge. Royan Morrison and Devon Harris will obviously marshal the defence line to correct any errors made by the striking duo. When one envisages those names on both sides of the field it is easy to envision the unfolding contest.
Nigel Codrington
Royan Morrison
Despite the adverse comments by the detractors, Western Tigers survived the vicissitudes, defied the odds and still managed to clinch the 2009 edition of the Kashif and Shanghai football showpiece. Many contend that the win was merely a flash in the pan especially since the ‘Tigers’ are still to notch up any major football accolades since that momentous occasion. They say the underdogs are at an advantage since many tend to underrate them. They can then surreptitiously plan and create upsets.
Such is the position of the Western Tigers as they attempt to relive the joys of their K&S achievement. They will field such players as defenders Sherman David and Vashil Cantlaar while striker, Nedd Fraser would team up with midfielder, Rayan Thomas to weave their magic into the next stage.
Naturally, they will have to be wary of Nigel Codrington, the opposition’s forward who will garner support from JaHall Greaves, playing in a similar position. The Tigers would also have to get past the defensive boots of Rishawn Sandiford and Orlando Gilgeous if they are to make it to the championship limelight.
The tournament is wide open and almost any team could walk off with the spoils. The third and fourth place finishers receive two hundred thousand and one hundred thousand dollars, respectively.
What has made the situation interesting is not merely which team will win but how it will do it. The answer would only be known when the first whistle sounds at 18:00hrs tonight.
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