Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
NSC/ Magnum Mash Cup…‘Bosses’ continue mastery of local teams
– Bent Street finish third
Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Director of Sport Christopher Jones were among what was indisputably the largest crowd to witness indoor futsal, as the curtains came down in this year’s National Sports Commission (NSC)/ Magnum Mash Cup Competition ON Saturday night at the National Gymnasium.
Winners Sparta Boss celebrate along with officials on hand after claiming the spoils Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium.
Guyana’s most decorated team in the futsal format, Sparta Boss, continued their mastery over local teams when they outlasted a stubborn Back Circle Side in a penalty shootout to underline their status as the best team in the shorter version of the sport.
A crowd that exceeded all expectation watched the ‘Bosses’, hold their nerve as customary in the latter stages of tournaments, prevail 2-1 in the penalty shootout after regulation times finished in a pulsating 4-4 stalemate.
In the third place playoff, dethroned champion Bent Street took a similar route, defeating ‘Gold is Money’3-1 in a penalty shootout after their clash ended 2-2 in regulation time.
The predicted large turnout saw the old adage of ‘success breathes enemy ‘unfold out right before their eyes when Sparta Boss took the lead in the 10th minute through the experienced Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, who netted to give them the early ascendancy.
However, that celebration was short-lived as another player of vast familiarity with the format Selwyn Williams equalized one minute later to level the proceedings.
Back Circle then took the lead through Jermin Beckles in the 17th to send their supporters into wild celebrations, but just like what they had done; Sparta Boss riposte was swift as well when Eusi ‘Boneyman’ Phillips scored two minutes later to keep the pulsating contest deadlocked 2-2 at the break.
With all to play for in the final period, the two juggernauts entertained the crowd with some mesmerizing football, but it was not until the 32nd minute that the gridlock was broken when the prolific Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett penetrated the Back Circle defence to hit his effort into the goal.
Back Circle known for their unmatched resilience would respond two minutes later when Beckles netted his second to level things as full time approached.
The ‘Bosses’ were in familiar territory and showed their experience when Jermin ‘Panke’ Junor, who had been kept quiet all evening unleashed from close range four minutes from full time to give his team a narrow advantage in the closing stages.
The East Ruimveldt-based unit was again in no mood to lie down and die and their reply came two minutes later through Adrian Aaron as the teams tied 4-4 with two minutes in regulation time remaining.
They failed to score in the final minutes which then required a penalty shootout that saw Sparta Boss prevail to capture the crown and $600,000 along with the winning trophy.
For their effort, Back Circle took home $300,000 and a trophy.
‘Gold is Money’ twice came from behind to level the scores in their encounter against Bent Street, but fell short in the penalty shootout to concede third place.
Bent Street were awarded $200,000, while ‘Gold is Money’ collected $100,000. Both teams received trophies.
The other sponsors on board were Insurance Brokers, Trophy Stall and Nigel Hinds.
Complete Results
Final
Back Circle-4 vs Sparta Boss-4
Sparta won 2-1 on penalty kicks
Sparta Scorers
Gregory Richardson-10th
Eusi Phillips-19th
Ryan Hackett-32nd
Jermin Junior-36th
Back Circle Scorers
Jermin Beckles-17th and 34th
Selwyn Wiliams-11th
Adrian Aaron-38th
3rd Place
Bent Street-2 vs Gold is Money-2
Bent Street won 3-1 on penalty kicks
Bent Scorers
Clive Nobrega-7th
Sheldon Holder-19th
Gold is Money Scorers
Colin Nelson-11th
Hubert Pedro-30th
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