……Pele vs GDF
…….Alpha vs Slingerz

By Ras Wadada
Football fans in the City are hoping for far less rain today than they got last Friday so as not to have a repeat of postponement in the two most decisive matches to end the two-round ‘Stag Beer Genesis One Elite League’ of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).Today’s most important double-header of the two-month season will be played at the Camp Ayanganna ground and will determine the top three positions at the end of the 56-match schedule that kicked off in mid September at the Leonora Stadium across the Demerara River.
All three front runners of the competition go into to their final game with a chance of being crowned Champions of the Inaugural Elite league which sets the stage for perhaps the two most exciting games to be played.
The opening act at 18:00hrs will see the return of ‘Back to back’ ‘Player of the Month’, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson to the Pele FC line-up after a one match suspension that saw his side embarrassingly losing 3-1 to Monedderlust FC last weekend in Berbice. The South Georgetown ‘Ballweavers’ on 24 points in 3rd position will be aiming to avenge their first round 2-1 defeat to the Army. The three points will take Pele to the top and the Title on a superior goal difference should Alpha and Slingerz play to a stalemate.
The Army in 5th place can move to 20 points with a win and depending on the outcome of the rescheduled game played last night at the GFC ground between Fruta Conquerors and Buxton United their place in the points standings could change. Conquerors on 19 points in 4th place can secure the 4th place and final play-offs spot with a win, but an upset by Buxton and a win by the Army can see the present positions of 4th and 5th being switched while Pele will still occupy 3rd position.
The feature game tonight is a virtual final and brings together the two best prepared and talented teams in the League. Both Coaches are cognisant of the fact that a draw would not be enough to capture the coveted football title of National supremacy, so fans can expect 90 minutes of entertaining attack and rock solid defense at both ends of the pitch.
The two line-ups for tonight’s crucial encounter will be missing key player in Captain of Alpha, Daniel Wilson and top scorer for Slingerz, Dominican International, Julian Wade, both are currently on try-out with Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise team Sporting Kansas City FC in the USA.
Speaking to Chronicle Sport of this important game Head Coach of Alpha, Wayne Dover expressed confidence while complimenting his opposition for their performances in the League, “ I must admit that Slingerz continues to play as an organised unit and have been playing attractive and quality football.
We do not expect an easy game so we must have the mindset to play collectively and demonstrate good discipline on the field to get the result which is not beyond us. Daniel Wilson’s absence will certainly impact on our midfield, but it is also an opportunity for a player to step up”, Dover exclaimed.
Dover’s opposite charge, Bill Wilson while agreeing that Wade’s presence will be missed is confident that his replacement Devon Millington will be a handful. The former National player is making his first appearance this season after being away in New York during the season.
Wilson also shares the view that the game will be well contested and is not taking anything for granted, ”We cannot afford to become complacent against a top team like Alpha. They have a quality attack and we know it is going to be a ‘tuff’ contest. We just need to continue doing the things we have been doing all season and that is striving to perfect our all round play and we will be successful. Our finishing in recent games is good but we need to improve on our defense. Once we continue to play total football we will get the result”, the Head Coach stated.
On the field of play, the West Demerara based side looks the best organized and match ready team and remain the only team not to lose a game on the pitch.
Had they not forfeited their first round match against the Army, in protest, and had three points deducted as well the now 2nd placed Slingerz on 25 points would have been entering tonight’s final game with the title already secured.
On the other side of the pitch, Alpha’s only blemish was a 3-0 drubbing by Pele FC while their 21 year old forward Delon Lanferman in his first season via Den Amstel continues the find the net. His ten goals are the most by a player in the competition though Pele’s Richardson is close behind with a goal less.
Coach Dover is quite aware that winning tonight is a must if Alpha is to hold on to the Title of Football Kings of Guyana, failing which there will be a changing of the guard. Kick-off is 20:30hrs.