KINGSTON solidified their status as dark horses, eliminating defending champions Sparta 3-1 in the biggest upset ever recorded in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship on Thursday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
Kingston prevailed in the round-of-16 showdown to ensure new champions will be crowned in the prestigious championship. Stephon Reynolds fashioned a hat-trick in the third, sixth and 10th minutes. For the losers, Gregory Richardson netted in the eighth minute.
Kingston will now oppose Spartacus in the quarterfinal section set for this evening at the same venue, after the latter mauled Broad Street 6-1. Moore smashed three goals in the ninth, 11th and 16th minutes while Mark Carrega tallied a double in the fifth and 18th minutes.
Adding a goal in the 14th minute was Osric Barrow. For the losers, Omar Sinclair scored in the seventh minute. Meanwhile, Bent Street crushed Mocha 5-0. Sheldon Holder scored a hat-trick in the fourth, fifth and seventh minutes while Colin Nelson and Jermaine Beckles netted in the ninth and 17th minutes respectively.
Their quarterfinal opponents Sophia edged Ansa McAl All-Stars 3-2 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 3-3. Gerald Grittens tallied a double in the fifth and seventh minute for Sophia while Joshua Kamal netted in the ninth minute.
For Ansa McAl, Shamar Fraser recorded a double in the 12th and 18th minutes while Akin Curry scored in the fourth minute. On the other hand, Gold is Money and Leopold Street will face-off in the quarterfinal round following hard-fought wins.
Leopold Street bested Avocado Ballers 2-0. Omallo Williams and Darren Benjamin netted in the eighth and 10th minutes correspondingly. Gold is Money edged Alexander Village 2-1. Randolph Wagner and Andrew Murray scored in the seventh and 18th minutes respectively. For the losers, Shem Porter scored in the sixth minute.
Meanwhile Back Circle and Rio All-Stars will do battle in the final quarter-final fixture. Back Circle earned their place in the final-eight section after blanking Albouystown 2-0. Donovan Francis and Selwyn Williams scored in the 17th and 18th minutes respectively.
Meanwhile, Rio All-Stars needled Future Stars 1-0. Jermaine Junior scored in the 12th minute. The winner of the respective quarterfinal matches will progress to the semifinal round on February 15.
Winners of the event will pocket $600 000 and the championship trophy, while the second-placed side will collect $400 000 and the respective accolade. The third- and fourth-placed units will receive $200 000 and $100 000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.
