… beat flamingo on PK 5-4: Renaissance stun Camptown for third place
PELE FC are the inaugural Lens Craft Optical/Sunburst Orange Juice (OJ) Under-15 champions following a hard-fought win on penalty kicks (PK) over Flamingo in the final at the Georgetown Football Club Ground yesterday.
The two sides, who topped their respective groups in advancing to the championship game, battled to a 1-1 tie in regulation and extra time in what has been described as a true finale to an exciting tournament that attracted nine teams from the City.
In the third place game, Renaissance upset Sunburst Camptown 1-0, Anthony Wharton scoring the winner in the 8th minute. Camptown tried to draw level but were not allowed to do so, Renaissance hanging on to their lead and becoming eventual victors.
This performance in terms of taking the third place is the best-ever finish for Renaissance since they started competing.
The final, however, lived up to its billing as a ding-dong affair between two sides that showed depth in offence and defence and soundness in their midfield play.
Goals were surely hard to come by on another hot day but the exciting plays that were created by both teams compensated somewhat for the lack of goals.
Flamingo took the lead in the first half (20th minute); one of the Pele defenders handled the ball in the box following a cross from Alpha McPhoy who had been kept at bay by some decisive defending from Pele.
McPhoy himself stepped up to the spot and placed the ball into the back of the nets to the left of the goalkeeper Deshawn Benn.
The goal and lead by Flamingo sent the team and supporters into frenzy and deservedly so. It was the high point of a period that the Flamingo side were hounding down Pele. But even with them taking the lead, Pele always looked threatening.
But it was not until the second half that Pele were able to draw level, also from the penalty spot following a flagrant foul in the box in the 40th minute. Their leading marksman, Kevin Andrews was given the responsibility of taking the shot and he almost messed up. The initial shot was partially blocked by Flamingo’s custodian Chancy Bobb, but Andrews kept his focus to bang the loose ball past his man on the second attempt. The entire Flamingo defence was caught napping.
The remaining minutes of regulation time failed to break the deadlock, even the 15 minutes of extra time. Penalty kicks were required to decide the winner and Pele, who held their nerves, lifted the championship.
Goalkeeper Deshawn Benn guided his team all the way when he saved Flamingo’s 3rd kick which was taken by Dapper Johnson.
Pele scored all five of their kicks by Keron Heywood, Wayne Murray, captain Ronaldo Fraser, Kevin Andrews and Quincy Lawrence. For Flamingo, captain Jermain Fletcher, Sheldon Fletcher, Alpha McPhoy and Andre Webber were on target.
While there had to be a winner, both teams played very well throughout the tournament and must be complimented. Representatives of the sponsors, Lens Craft Optical (Alistair Parris – CEO), Continental Group of Companies Percival Boyce Jr (Company Secretary) and Ralph Green – President of the Camptown New York Chapter were all on hand to witness what they described as a pulsating and close encounter.
The presentation of prizes will take place on Tuesday afternoon on the lawns of the Guyana Football Federation from 17:00 h.