… Milerock, Fruta Conquerors, Police FC, Western Tigers battle tonight at Eve Leary

 THE business end of the 2019-2020 edition of the GFF Super 16 Cup will commence this evening at Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, and end tomorrow at GFC ground when the full line-up for the semi-finalists would be confirmed.

Following the completion of the round-of-16 which saw all the Regional Members Association teams being knocked-out, it is now the eight Elite League teams who will be battling to decide who would eventually walk away with the first-place prize of $2M.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament will ride away with one Honda 125cc motorcycle, compliments of Marics Honda.

Exactly at the half-way mark with four more days to play, fans can brace themselves for what is anticipated to be some fierce clashes, and while there has been no upsets to date, going forward that might very well change.

Kicking off the quest for a place in the final four would be Fruta Conquerors and Milerock, the former who got the better of their rivals in the Elite League would fancy their chances of easing into the semis at the expense of Milerock.

In their opening match, Conquerors made light work of East Coast’s Buxton Stars winning 4-0 while Milerock hard to work hard for their 2-0 triumph over Pele. Conquerors boast a solid unit and would once again depend on their captain, the experienced Vurlon Mills, to lead them to another win.

Mills would be supported by Akel Clarke in goal, Quincy Adams, Raphael Edwards, Simeon Moore, Rashaun Ritch, Anthony Benfield, Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett, Nicholas McArthur, Delon Lanferman and Gregory Richardson.

Milerock, led by another seasoned campaigner, Rawle ‘Boney Man’ Gittens would be combining efforts to upset, with Sese Norville between the uprights, Eric Moore, Mickel Jeffers, Quacy Cadogan, Lionel Halley, Omalli Webb, Lorenzo Miller, Michael Wilson, Lennox Richards and Jashawn Moore. Kick-off time is 18:30hrs.

Feature play between Guyana Police Force and Western Tigers will be a humdinger of a battle as neither of these teams would be giving up any room to maneouvre in their defensive third.

Police were in rampant form against Timehri Panthers, trouncing them 6-2 while Western Tigers who contested their match at Bartica Community Centre ground, came away 4-2 winners in what was a good test for them.

This evening’s showdown, however, would be a totally different ball game as it would be a step up in competition either side of the field with less room for mistakes. The level of preparation by the teams would be visible based on how they perform.

Both sides have displayed a huge appetite for goals but that craving might just be different tonight as a more cagey game is anticipated. Cortez Kellman who netted a double for Western in Bartica is expected to be a handful for the Police defence.

He would receive support from Clive Nobrega, Randolph Wagner, Andrew Murray, Kareem Knights, Dwayne McLennon, Jamal Pedro, Moses Gritten, Devon Charles, Kwadjo Garnett, Cleyton Forrester and Shamar Carrington among others.

Police’ attack would be led by Trayon Bobb, Jamal Harvey, Colwyn Adams, Daniel Wilson, Darren Benjamin, Travis Jones, Jermain Junor, Kester Dundas, Ronaldo Dover, Winston Tanner, Rawle Thornhill, Stephen Ramsey and Kavis Fraser.

Boxing Day matches at GFC are Buxton United vs Guyana Defence Force; Santos vs Den Amstel

The last two quarter-final matches would be played tomorrow evening, at the mecca of the sport in the City, Georgetown Football Club ground (GFC) from 18:30hrs when defending champions Den Amstel put their title on the line again, this time against Santos FC; both winning their round-of-16 matches last Sunday night at the Leonora Track and Field Centre.

Den Amstel won a bruising battle against Riddim Squad 4-1 coming from behind, and unfortunately would be without one of their leading marksmen, Gideon Payne who had to leave the match in the first half.

Based on reports, he would be out of action for the next two months having injured one of his ribs.  Nevertheless, coach O’Neil will still be oozing with confidence that his remaining charges would be able to pull together and be a solid force as they seek win number two this year on their way to retaining their title.

Captain Leo-Orion Lovell would be hoping for another huge game to achieve another successful result. Support will come from Andre Hector, Chris Macey, Denzil Smith, Jamal Pereira, Kwesi Henry, Emanuel Cox, Sebastian Edwards and Keswin Fraser.

Santos’ line-up includes two of the players who won the title with Den Amstel last year – captain Kevin Dundas and Kestor Jacobs. Both these players would have to play key roles if Santos are to get past Den Amstel.

Dundas would be marshalling the defence while Jacobs would be key to Santos’ offensive maneouvres as he would be controlling the midfield. Lavavghn Ennis who netted a brace in their win over Eagles FC would be looking for another good night at the office.

Marcus Wilson, Lennox Cort, Rondel Peters, Stephan Reynold, Nicholai Andrews, Ryan October, Orin Yarde and Jermaine Padmore would add quality to Santos’ ambitions of taking out the defending champs.

Tomorrow’s night’s curtain-raiser pits last year’s beaten finalists Buxton United and the Guyana Defence Force in a clash that would showcase experience (GDF) coming up against youth. Buxton United have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in this format of the sport and no less is expected against the GDF.

The exciting Omari Glasgow who netted a double in their opening win (6-1) over New Amsterdam United, the largest margin of the first round, would again be working in tandem with Dillon Wright who blasted a hat-trick in that win, Samuel Johnson, Troni Semple, Tony Ogle, Deshane Garnette, Kevin David, Shemar Fraser, Maurice Barnes, Lindley Garner, Jamar Harrigan and Tyrone Harper.

GDF would hope to craft out another clinical display following their historic win over home team Mainstay Gold Star at the Anna Regina ground, 5-0. Player-of-the-match Benjamin Opara who scored a hat-trick would be seeking more goals against the Buxtonians.

Support will come from Olvis Mitchell, Colin Nelson, Ryan Searles, Delroy Fraser, Sherwin Caesar, Runnel Gordon, Shawn Arthur, Ian Dooker, Delwin Fraser, Delroy Ferdinand and Dellon Adams.