IT’S now all down to the penultimate day of rivalry in the 2019-2020 edition of the GFF Super 16 Cup, today, at the GFC ground, Bourda where two potentially riveting semi-final clashes will unfold from 18:30hrs.

The clash of the Armed Forces in the main attraction promises to be exhilarating with both teams boasting a number of experienced players who are definitely eyeing the first-place prize of $2M. The second place is worth $1M.Tonight’s curtain-raiser will also be a humdinger of a clash when Fruta Conquerors take on a resurgent Santos Football Club. At the end of it all, only two teams will remain standing and earn the right to face off in New Year’s Night Final. The respective losers will still be in the money as they would play for third ($500 000) and fourth ($250 000).

The Guyana Police Force vs Guyana Defence Force match, according to secretary of the Police Club, Ronald Ali, “This is a battle of the Military and we expect a good game even though we are the underdogs.”

Ali also informed that they are well aware of the strengths of the Army side and they have been planning to counter any hurdles they come up against, noting that with the players on their roster, they are capable of taking care of business.

The likes of Trayon Bobb, Daniel Wilson, Pernel Schultz, Jamal Harvey, Jermain Junor, William Europe and Trevon Lythcott will hope to continue their good showing so far and deliver another victory for Police following their quarter-final downing of Western Tigers 2-1 and their round-of-16 whipping of Timehri Panthers, 6-2. Police have scored a total of eight (8) goals whilst conceding three (3).

The Guyana Defence Force on the other hand have been almost flawless in the defensive third, scoring a total of seven (7) goals and conceding just a single goal in their quarter-final match against Buxton United bettering that with two goals.

They’ll be led by the tournament’s joint leading goalscorer, Benjamin Opara (four goals) who’ll have a number of experienced players around him as they seek to match Police in every department.

The experience of the soldiers might very well make the difference but it would not be an easy task against the law enforcement team. Opara will find able support form Sherwin Caesar, Olvis Mitchell, Kevin Layne, Amos Ramsey, Eusi Phillips, Delwin and Delroy Fraser and Shawn Arthir, among others.

The round of sixteen saw a total of 41 goals in eight matches – just 13 in the four quarter-finals and it is anticipated that going forward, goals would continue to dry up as teams have been planning for opposing sides with a view of limiting goal-scoring opportunities.

The Fruta Conquerors vs Santos showdown is expected to be a keen tussle with both sides yet to concede a goal in the two matches that they have played to date. Conquerors recorded respective 4-0 wins over Buxton Stars and Milerock FC while Santos clipped Eagles Football Club of Stewartville 4-0 and upset defending champions Den Amstel, 3-0.

The confidence that they (Santos) are exuding at the moment under the guidance of coach Trevor Burnette would be seriously tested by the Tucville-based Fruta Conquerors.

They’ll be buoyed by the fact that T&T-based Golden Jaguar Sheldon Holder is in the side and will combine offensive maneouvres along with Lavavghn Eniss, Marcus Wilson, Kester Jacobs, captain Kevin Dundas, Orin Yarde, Ryan October and Alex Murray who’ll be in goal once again.

Conquerors head coach Sampson Gilbert disclosed that they are looking forward to this match with confidence while being very mindful of ability and level of competition they’ll have to put up with from the Santos outfit.

“Our approach would be clinical in the execution of the various aspects of the game we’ve been working on in training, in order to proceed to the final of this year’s tournament.”          

Fans are in for an entertaining evening of action.