FOLLOWING defending champions Eagles’ shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hard Knocks on the fifth night of action in the second annual Banks DIH-sponsored Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal football competition, which continued at the Amelia’s Ward hard court last Sunday night, a new champion will be crowned this year. A. Benjamin’s 4th minute strike was enough to send Eagles – who defeated Retrieve Unknowns in last year’s final to take the $500 000 top prize – packing from the tournament, as they ended their three preliminary round matches with only two points.
Trainline Warriors with 5 points at present top the group but Hard Knocks, who have 4 points from two matches and still have one more match to play against Attackers, who have one point, will, with a victory, move past the Warriors to top the group.
R. Adams and O. Gishard got hat-tricks for Pokerburg and Star Boyz who chalked up victories over Wash Boyz and Hi Stars respectively, as both teams sealed a place in the final 16 which kicks off this Saturday at the Wisroc/Amelia’s Ward car park.
Adams found the back of the net in the 5th, 9th and 13th minutes of the contest and along with goals from K. Sears (10th) and G. McBean (17th), ensured their team Star Boyz defeated Hi Stars 5-0, while Gishard scored his hat-trick in the 7th, 8th and 19th minutes, to steer Pokerburg to a 3-0 victory over Wash Boyz.
Other results for the night are as follows: El Dorado 2 (T. Edwards 15th, K. Croal 17th) Mini Bus 0; Coomacka 4 (W. Thom 6th, A. Edmonson 12th and K. Daw 16th, 19th) Amazing 1 (J. Fordyce 5th).
Ripping Bullets 1 (S. Seaforth 18th) Retrieve Unknowns 0, while Half Mile/One Mile and Goal Getters played to a nil-all stalemate.
To date, 121 goals have been scored in the tournament which has a first place prize of $500 000 and a trophy to the victorious team. The second-, third- and fourth-placed finishers will pocket $250 000, $150 000 and $100 000 respectively, with Floyd ‘Mayweather’ Major being the lone player to register a helmet-trick.