DUE to the inclement weather that has been plaguing Georgetown over the past 72 hours, tonight’s action in the Banks DIH-organised Guinness in the Streets exhibition competition has been switched from the Burnham Basketball Court in Middle Street, to the New Albouystown Hardcourt. The tournament was organised as a means of giving Team Guyana, also known as Back Circle, adequate practice as they prepare to contest the upcoming Guinness Caribbean Street Football Challenge, which kicks off on June 20 at the National Park. The winners will receive US$4 000, a trophy and a multi-purpose five-a-side hardcourt facility.
To date, Team Guyana have been in exemplary form, winning both of their matches in the warm-up tournament, doing so handsomely, having defeated D’Urban Street 5-0 in their first match and Island All Star 4-2 in their second.
No doubt, when they oppose Albouystown in their third game tonight, they will be looking to make it three out of three, which means their captain Daniel Favorite, who got a double in the second win, Allan Kennedy and Vincent Thomas should be bringing their ‘A’ game.
Albouystown, who also have two wins, are no pushovers and with Andrew Murray Jr leading their charge, along with support from Devon Small, they will be looking to upstage Team Guyana, even as they push to take the $200 000 first prize that is up for grabs.
Island All Star, who are yet to record a victory, having gone under to Albouystown and Team Guyana/Back Circle in their first two matches, should be looking to record a win against D’Urban Street, who lost both of their matches to the same opponents at Island All Star, in the first match tonight.
Orson McCurdy and Leon Jarvis will lead the All Star’s challenge against their opponents who are yet to record a goal in the tournament, having conceded eight.
Stellon David, along with Michael and Kwame Pedro, will lead West Front Road’s search for their second win in three matches, when they oppose the Jimmy Gravesande and Jamal Cozier-led Broad Street lineup – a team that won the inaugural Banks DIH Guinness Greatest of the Streets tournament in 2010.
The final fixture for tonight pits Tiger Bay, whose lineup includes Solomon Austin and Deon Alfred, against Alexander Village who will be depending on Shem Porter and Dellon Williams to give them their third successive victory.
The second-, third- and fourth-placed finishers will take home $100 000, $50 000 and $25 000 respectively and the remaining four teams who fail to make it to the semifinals $15 000 each.