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GFF Super League Cup Defending champs Den Amstel and Santos ease into quarters after Rd. of 16 wins
By Franklin Wilson
Defending Champions Den Amstel had to come from behind to beat Riddim Squad and comfortably so in the end to book their final quarter final slot when the GFF Super 16 Cup continued on Sunday night last with the final round-of-16-matches.
Marcus Wilson (right), Kestor Jacobs and Lavavghn Ennis – Santos FC
Lavavghn Ennis nets the first of his double for Santos against Eagles FC on Sunday night at the Leonora Ground.
Santos Football Club, playing the supporting match on the double header card, brushed aside Eagles Football Club of Stewartville 4-0 and have earned a date with Den Amstel in the quarter finals on Boxing Night at the GFC Ground, Bourda.
The opening half of the Den Amstel / Riddim Squad shindig turned out to be a very physical battle and coming out on the receiving end of the battles was Den Amstel which lost Gideon Payne and Kwesi Henry to injuries in the first half.
Payne had to leave the park in the 33rd minute following a collision, while Henry exited the match one minute to the half time whistle. However, Payne had netted the equalising goal for his side in the 14th minute after they had found themselves trailing.
Player of the match Lavavghn receives his NAMILCO hamper from Ms. Lakeisha Pearson.
Leo-Orion Lovell receives his player-of-the-match NAMILCO Hamper
Riddim Squad looked like they would have shaped the first upset of the tournament when they netted in just the eight minute through a Kevin Agard shot. Rather than shake up the home team, it brought out their fighting spirit.
And despite losing two important players, Den Amstel, the more organised team, gradually imposed their will on their opponents as they sent them packing in the end; no Regional Member Association (RMA) team being able to advance.
The 1-1 score line at the half way mark sure did have the visitors sensing that they were in with a chance of upsetting the trend of the tournament which saw the Elite League teams taking care of their opponents but their confidence would not go past the 55th minute when Den Amstel took the lead, thanks to a well crafted goal from the Captain and player-of-the-match, Leo-Orion Lovell.
The skies opened during the second half and with it came two more unanswered goals for the defending champions. Andre Hector in the 67th minute and in the 85th minute were the players whose efforts put the game way beyond the reach of Riddim Squad.
Den Amstel (Blue) and Riddim Squad go head to head.
Along the way, Riddim Squad’s Sherwin Hope received a red card, his second yellow (70th, 76th). His team was even awarded a penalty kick but the ball was placed against the upright. That was also the case a few minutes later as they spilled another chance. Den Amstel too, missed another opportunity when they also hit the upright. Six other players, three on each side were issued yellow cards.
In the penultimate match of the round-of-16, Santos eased to a comfortable win against Eagles but will have to up their game when they come up against Den Amstel in the final eight. Santos were led by a double from player-of-the-match Lavavghn Ennis who found the back of the nest in the 33rd and 57th minutes.
Eagles moved the ball around admirably but were very weak in the final third. Marcus Wilson taped in Santos’ third goal in the 61st minute with their fourth and final goal coming off the boot of the veteran, Kestor Jacobs in the 87th minute.
Quarter-final play will get cracking tomorrow at the Police Sports Club Ground Eve Leary with two potentially explosive encounters as the remaining teams seek to cross another hurdle on their way to the top prize of two million dollars.
Milerock and Fruta Conquerors will tangle in the opening clash from 18:30hrs followed by the Guyana Police Force taking on Western Tigers. Only the fittest will survive, only winners will go on.
Sponsors on board are: MACORP, The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, EC Vieira Investments, Brass Aluminum and Cats Iron Foundry, Pegasus Hotel, Bakewell, Marics Honda, Impressions, China Harbour, 94.1 Boom FM, NAMILCO, MVP Sports and Xtra Beer.
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