GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson Memorial National 2017/2018 Finals Rivers View, Eagles, Santos and Tabatinga to collide on Saturday

Feb 12, 2019 Sports

History would be created on Saturday when the national finals of the inaugural GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson Memorial National 2017/2018 championship is contested at the Guyana Football Federation Training Facility, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Set to battle for the winning trophy and bragging rights are Cluster’s 1, 2 and 3 winners, Santos FC (Georgetown Football Association), Eagles FC (West Demerara Football Association), Rivers View FC (Bartica Football Association) and Tabatinga (Rupununi Football Association).

The victorious Rising Stars FC of Bartica pictured with Deputy Mayor and BFA Secretary Ms. Aretha Embleton and Coaching Staff after winning Cluster 3 at the Anna Regina Community Center Ground.

All the teams in the finals would be rewarded with trophies and were all told by GFF President Wayne Forde that all teams (10) that made the Final Playoffs are winners.
The finals cluster was contested at the Anna Regina Community Center Ground on Saturday last and this was another history making day as it was the first time ever in the nation’s history that a National Finals Playoffs was contested in the Cinderella County.
Some exciting matches were witnessed between eventual Cluster 3 winner Rivers View FC, home team Dartmouth Dominators and Atkinson Brothers of Region One. The latter team played very well, but their finishing, like has plagued many a team, was their downfall.
Their goalkeeper and Captain, Henry Phillips was brilliant for his side, bringing off a number of sensational saves including a blinder against Dartmouth but misjudged a ball that was held up by the constant sea breeze that swept across the ground all day which resulted in the ball dipping over his head and into the back of the nets.
The shot that was taken by Rivers View’s Shawn Williams in the 68th minute carried the Bartica boys to victory 2-1 which set the platform for their eventual qualification for Saturday’s final day which is anticipated to be riveting.

Rising Stars Captain Kevin Ready (left) and Sultan Evans carrying Dellon Jones on their shoulders following the win over Dartmouth Dominators.

Brian Joseph, GFF Youth Development Coach and a member of the Federation’s Technical Department in an invited comment stated that they are very pleased with what they have witnessed to date, citing that many talented players have been identified and would be called to the national set up.
“We are very excited with the successful hosting of this competition so far. It’s been exciting times for Guyana’s football and we are definitely on the right track to achieve our objectives in terms of where we want U15 football to be.”
Joseph noted that all the matches have been very competitive and the players have adapted and represented well.
“Obviously the new facility has influenced the style of play for most of the teams as they were able to keep the ball on the surface and play which is really exciting for us. We’ve already identified a few players who we want to invite into the national programme because of their outstanding performances to date; so it’s exciting times for youth football.”
Joseph also applauded the Pele Alumni and the GFF for its efforts in ensuring that teams from Region 1, Rupununi, Bartica and Essequibo have been afforded the opportunity to showcase their skills.
“There is definite talent in those areas and I am happy that we’ve created that environment where those players talent can be recognised, identified. Going forward we’re definitely going to expand this into the other categories so that we can expand the national players pool as much as possible. We expect a highly competitive round of final matches.”