FastBall male & female champs to be crowned tonight

Aug 07, 2011 Sports

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Massive climax anticipated @ Stadium; Sizzla Colonji

By Franklin Wilson
The historic GT&T FastBall knock-out football championship, which has taken Guyana by storm, is set for an

enthralling and scintillating climax tonight at the Guyana National Stadium,

Providence when both the male and female finals are contested.
Close to two months of riveting action in this new version of football will culminate with teams battling for over Six Million Dollars in cash and other incentives at what is expected to be a sold out Stadium.
In contention for the male champion’s prize of One Million Dollars are Pele Gold which will be locked in battle against Bakewell Topp XX A and BK International A coming up against Adam’s Rockers of Linden, a most fitting line-up as the age old rivalry between City and Linden sides continues.
The women’s semis will also provide some entertaining fireworks for the fans and dignitaries; Solid Gold of Bartica will thrown down the gauntlet to Star Girls of Linden, while Eagles of Lethem will be aiming to fly all the way to championship glory but will have to do their best if they are to get past the formidable Trophy Stall All Stars of Georgetown.
In some exciting quarterfinal games on Friday evening at the GFC Ground, the blue ball (when scored is equal to two goals) proved to be the saviour for three of the four teams that made it through to the final four even though it’s presence was felt in all four matches.
Pele Gold turned back the challenge of a tough West Front Road team 2-0; BK International Western Tigers after trailing Pioneers in the 5th minute sealed their forward push with the blue ball in the 13th minute; Bakewell Topp XX were also pushed to the brink by Amelia’s Ward United A before they were able to ease through in the 28th minute.

Adam’s Rockers were the first team to qualify for the final four and they did so in some style by disposing of West Demerara United 4-0.
Adam’s Rockers’ fairy tale run in the tournament continued after they were given a lifeline by Reggae Boyz which were disqualified for playing an ineligible player. They have certainly grabbed the opportunity with open arms and have since defeated Daddy’s Enterprise and now West Demerara United in booking a date at the National Stadium today.
They took the lead in the 8th minute through Kellon Belgrave, doubled same in the 19th through Ralston Fraser and sealed the deal in the 29th minute when Darrel George rocked the nets.
In the all Linden match-up between Bakewell Topp XX A and Amelia’s Ward United A, the former had to pull out all the stops to prevail and were only able to do so in the tight battle in the 28th minute, Keon Sears releasing the pressure with a well converted shot.
But Amelia’s Ward were gifted an opportunity to equalize one minute later when they were awarded a 6 second penalty. One of their most experienced players, Travis Waterton, was given the responsibility to take the kick but was not able to penetrate goalkeeper Carlos Browne who brought off the save to the delight of his fellow teammates and supporters.
BK International Western Tigers looked very scrappy in the opening minutes of their game against Pioneers and found themselves trailing in the 5th minute after Lindy Johnson pounced on a loose ball after a scrimmage at close range to beat custodian Travis Bess.
The Tigers re-grouped thereafter and seemed to have awoken since they started to pass the ball around as they got the better of the possession.
With the introduction of the blue ball, their most energetic player, Dwayne Ali, controlling midfield made a long range pass with quality precision to find the head of the lurking Jorrell Tryell who made no mistake in drilling the ball past the goalkeeper to take the lead for the Tigers. There were no real threats thereafter by either team on goal.

Pele Gold proved to be solid in the end against a determined West Front Road unit that had the opportunity to take the lead at least on two occasions but they muffed those chances which came back to haunt them in eth end.
Stellon David too had the chance to give Pele the lead earlier but missed a six second penalty. It was left to Kerwyn Benjamin to score with two minutes to game time with the famous blue ball which in effect knocked the wind out of the sails of West Front Road.
Meanwhile, fans and supporters are in for a great treat following the conclusion of Fastball action as Jamaican Reggae Artiste Sizzla Kalonji (Miguel Orlando Collins) will be the main act at the after football concert. He is one of the most commercially and critically successful contemporary reggae artist and is well-known for his above-average prolificacy.
Admission to enjoy all the action including the show is $1000.

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