… Defending champions Bent Street to face Back Circle

REIGNING champions of the Magnum Mash Futsal cup, Bent Street, have eased into the semi-final stage of this year’s tournament while Gold is Money and Sparta Boss will face each other in what is expected to be an intriguing encounter after they both won their respective quarter-final matches.

Playing in front of a full house at the National Gymnasium on Thursday evening, Gold is Money played a masterclass to brush past Tiger Bay 4-1.

Tiger Bay frustrated Gold is Money by keeping them out for much of the first half; however the latter continued their crisp passing and were not afraid to test Tiger Bay’s goalie with thunderous strikes.

Eventually, Randolph Wagner finished off a team move, crashing the ball into the back of the net to open the floodgates in the 15th minute. Colin Nelson then increased their lead with two quick strikes in the 16th and 19th minutes before talismanic Hubert Pedro sealed the deal with a 23rd-minute goal.

Tiger Bay’s consolation goal came through Deon Alfred in the 21st minute.

Bent Street saw off Sophia with a routine 3-0 win, as the latter offered nothing offensively. Jobe Caesar opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Sheldon Holder helped himself to two goals in the eighth and 19th minutes.

Meanwhile Sparta Boss blanked Future Stars 2-0 with no real pressure as Jermaine Junor put them into the lead in the seventh minute before Sheldon Shepherd netted the second in the 19th minute to put the game to rest.

Back Circle managed a 2-1 win on penalties over Ansa McAl All-Stars after the end of regulation time saw them in a 1-1 deadlock. Selwyn Williams netted Back Circle’s lone goal in the seventh minute before Akin Curry equalised for the All-Stars in the 20th minute. When it came down to penalty kicks, Back Circle had their goalie to thank, as he twice denied All-Stars’ kick-takers to hand his side a 2-1 win.

The semi-finals are now scheduled for tomorrow night at the same venue, with Back Circle facing Bent Street and Gold is Money clashing with longtime rivals Sparta Boss.

The winners of the tournament will pocket $600 000, second place $350 000 and third place $200 000 along with trophies.