Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
GT Beer / Petra Organisation Futsal Competition… Explosive quarter-finals on tonight; fans support could be crucial
Sheik Kamal in control for Sophia in an earlier match of this inaugural competition.
By Rawle Welch
Judging from the commendable turnout at the penultimate and final rounds of the round-robin phase, it is clear that fans from the respective communities have signal their intent to rally around their individual teams and this plan is what is causing all the excitement in the inaugural GT Beer / Petra Organisation Futsal Competition.
Play in the quarter-final stage resumes today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with four games that promises to be action-packed from kick off right until the final encounter. In the first game which commences at 19:00hrs, Sophia and Bent Street square off, before West Front Road and neighbours West Back Road clash in what has been described as a war for bragging rights and title as to which team is the Best in the West.
Pre-tournament favourites Sparta Boss then collides with Kitty Weavers, Festival City vs. Albouystown bring the curtains down in the last quarter-final matchup. The Sophia versus Bent Street affair is too close to call since both teams have looked in scorching form throughout the tournament, enjoying some comfortable wins against teams that are usually strong in this format.
Sophia in their previous encounter against Broad Street showed no mercy, registering an emphatic win with the experienced duo of Sheik Kamal and Shemroy Arthur leading them to victory supported by the likes of Joshua Kamal and Dwayne Lowe.
Once again they could be the main threat to deny Bent Street from marching on. Bent Street has been equally impressive in their march to this stage of the competition and once again players the caliber of O’Kenie Fraser, Colin Nelson, Steffon Ramsay, Daniel Wilson and Sheldon Profitt will be called upon to construct the plan to initiate a win.
Perhaps, the most anticipated matchup of the night is the one between neighbours West Front Road and West Back Road. This undoubtedly is a grudge match and one that both teams are not taking lightly, especially since the former have always been seen as the better of the two.
West Front Road’s line-up is littered with quite a few stars in the futsal format and when you add their undeniable success then right away you see why the odds are stacked against West Back Road.
The individual skill of players such as Randolph Wagner, Michael Oie, Hubert and Michael Pedro is not easy to contend with or contain so it would be interesting to see what strategy West Back Road employs to keep them in check.
On the other hand, West Back Road has repeatedly displayed the fortitude of being a tough team to beat and one that should not be taken lightly. Phillip Rowley, Odel Young, Jamal Haynes, Eron Hayde and Jason Tyrell should play leading roles in their quest for a place in the semi finals and there is no dispute in the quality of their play.
What more could be said of Sparta Boss that has been among the most consistent teams in this format, acquiring success in every dimension of the sport. Despite losing two of their main players in Devon Millington and Gregory Richardson who’re both reported to be overseas, those that remain have shown what a potent force they are and how deep they go.
Denis Edwards has been the leader of the pack, while the supporting cast that comprises Sheldon Shepherd, Deon Alfred and Travis Grant has offered both offensive and defensive presence throughout.
However, Kitty Weavers are no pushovers either and should not be underestimated, especially with the likes of the elusive Nigel Denny, Sherwin Vincent, Travis Martin and Jermaine Willis in their line-up. The Festival City versus Albouystown closer resembles a prize fight with a winner proving difficult to choose.
Festival City has been amongst the most explosive teams in the tournament with Solomon Austin, Dwayne Lawrence and Eon Alleyne repeatedly exhibiting irrefutable evidence of their immense shooting power and accuracy. This three-man wrecking crew could be enough to secure victory.
Albouystown on the other hand is also a strong unit with Devon Dooker, Marlon Nedd, the unstoppable Roy Cassou and Denvor Dennis forming the bulk of their attack. It should be a close and exciting affair and one for the fans.
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