… Takes Magnum Mash Cup Futsal title following penalty-kicks win over Back Circle
IN what is considered as one of the best displays of Futsal in recent times, Sparta Boss edged Back Circle 2 – 1 on kicks from the penalty spot, to take the Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship on Saturday.
Playing at the National Gymnasium in front of a mammoth crowd, which included Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Director of Sport Christopher Jones, the two sides ended regulation and extra time deadlocked on four goals each, after an entertaining exchange.
Guyana’s most decorated team in the futsal format, Sparta Boss, continued their mastery over local teams when they outlasted a stubborn Back Circle side in penalty shootout to underline their status as the best team in the shorter version of the sport.
In the third place playoff, dethroned champion Bent Street took a similar route, defeating ‘Gold is Money’3-1 in a penalty shootout after their clash ended 2-2 in regulation time.
The predicted large turnout saw the old adage of ‘success breathes enemy’ unfold right before their eyes when Sparta Boss took the lead in the 10th minute through the experience Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, who netted to give them the early ascendancy.
However, that celebration was short-lived as another player of vast familiarity with the format, Selwyn Williams, equalised one minute later to level the proceedings.
Back Circle then took the lead through Jermain Beckles in the 17th minute to send their supporters into wild celebrations, just like what they had done; Sparta Boss riposte was swift as well when Eusi ‘Boney Man’ Phillips scored two minutes later to keep the pulsating contest deadlocked 2-2 at the break.
With all to play for in the final period, the two juggernauts entertained the crowd with some mesmerizing football, but it was not until the 32nd minute that the gridlock was broken when the prolific Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett penetrated the Back Circle defence to hit his effort into the goal.
Back Circle, known for their unmatched resilience, responded two minutes later when Beckles netted his second goal to level things as full time approached.
The ‘Bosses’ were in familiar territory and showed their experience when Jermain ‘Panke’ Junor, who had been kept quiet all evening, unleashed from close range four minutes from full time to give his team a narrow advantage in the closing stages.
The East Ruimveldt-based unit was again in no mood to lie down and die and their reply came two minutes later through Adrian Aaron as the teams tied 4-4 with two minutes in regulation time remaining.
They failed to score in the final minutes which then required a penalty shootout that saw Spart Boss prevail to capture the crown and $600,000, along with the winning trophy.
For their effort, Back Circle took home $300,000 and a trophy.
‘Gold is Money’ twice came from behind to level the scores in their encounter against Bent Street, but fell short in the penalty shootout to concede third place.
Bent Street was awarded $200,000, while ‘Gold is Money’ collected $100,000. Both teams received trophies.
The other sponsors on board were Insurance Brokers, Trophy Stall and Nigel Hinds.
