NAMILCO One Love Football Classic ...Alpha and GDF into semis, prevail by 1-0 margins over Western Tigers and Slingerz

NAMILCO One Love Football Classic …Alpha and GDF into semis, prevail by 1-0 margins over Western Tigers and Slingerz

Apr 15, 2014 Sports

The semi-final has been fully cast now following the final two quarter-final matches of the NAMILCO One Love Football Classic knockout tournament which were contested on Sunday evening last at the Tucville Playfield.
Based on the pre-game hype, the scale was tipping in favour of wins for Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United and Slingerz but by the end of the evening, Alpha were through yes, but it was the Guyana Defence Force which arrested Slingerz to book a semi final date with Riddim Squad while Alpha will engage Fruta Conquerors.

Alpha United’s Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson being kept in check by Western Tigers in their match-up.

Both Alpha and GDF were 1-0 winners over Western Tigers and Slingerz respectively. Facing off in the main event, Slingerz and the GDF did not hide their intentions as they both went after each other in a fierce manner but within the confines of the laws of the game.
While the evening was cool in nature, the on-field exchanges were hot in contrast as both teams pressed each other and like the first game, close marking was the order of proceedings. The fact that the game was decided by a single goal tells the story.
It was air tight defence on the part of both sides and when the Army was presented with the slightest possibility to score, they grabbed it with glee. The opening 45 minutes were even in terms of returns, the boys from Camp Ayanganna were solid in defence as they kept the dangerous Anthony ‘Awo Abrams at bay.
Abrams’ reputation as a striker is well documented and it was clear as day that the GDF did their home work in nullifying his strengths while unleashing a sleeping giant of their own in offence, the fleet footed Delwyn Fraser.
Fraser was a constant bother to Slingerz’ defence as Abrams was kept at bay also on the other end. Early in the second half however, Fraser ensured that he made Slingerz pay for allowing a bit too much latitude as he broke away from their defence to bang a well directed shot past Jason Cromwell in goal.
The breakthrough came four minutes into the half and that was all that was needed to secure a place in the final four.
Even the likes of Devon Millington and Vurlon Mills in the Slingerz line-up did not intimidate the Army boys as they stuck to their game plan of not giving up too much space to the high ranking and star studded Slingerz.
It was almost the same script in the first game as Western Tigers too, kept on the heels of the Alpha United players as they matched them play for play.

GDF Captain (#18) keeping this Slingerz player at bay in the first half of their game, his teammate (#17) is at the ready to assist.

The longer the game went without a goal being scored meant that the pressure was building more on Alpha. Their experience as the undisputed kings of the game in Guyana and their known exploits at the Caribbean and CONCACAF levels is what brought them through successfully.
Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson tried his best to crack the defence of the Tigers but every time he looked like sneaking away, he was kept in check. His presence however, kept the Tigers’ defenders and goalkeeper Derrick Carter alert always.
Carter brought off some stinging and point blank saves early in the second half as Alpha stepped up the pressure as they attacked the northern goal, incidentally, that was the goal where both games were decided.
With the game 64 minutes old, Captain Dwight Peters who worked overtime to give his side the advantage, aimed a powerful shot at goal which was partially blocked by Carter, the onrushing second half substitute Sheldon Holder was alert enough to pounce on the ball and tucked it away to break the deadlock.
Tried as they may, neither team was able to be effective in the final third and it ended 1-0 in favour of Alpha who will now play host team Fruta Conquerors in the feature semi final tomorrow at the GFC ground.
Riddim Squad and GDF will square off from 18:00hrs in the first.