More clubs clinch quarter-final spots as group stage nears completion

AS the group stage of the 2022 Rupununi Football Association (RFA) Senior League comes to an end, more clubs have clinched quarter-final berths.
In Central Rupununi, Guyana Rush Saints FC female team leapfrogged Gladiators FC in the points standings with a comprehensive 7-1 victory over Far East United in their final group stage match.

Glauciane Ines Gomes De Assis was again in domineering form with five goals. A double from Nina Cabral completed the thrashing. Ursuline Primus responded with the solitary goal for Far East United in the 37th minute.
Guyana Rush Saints and Gladiators, with 19 points and 17 points respectively, have qualified for the quarterfinals.

Guyana Rush Saints male team are also into the quarterfinals after a comfortable 4-1 victory over Far East United. Stephen McDonald with a hat-trick in the 4th, 28th, and 30th minutes and an Eric Atkinson goal in the 71st minute sealed the victory. Ravin Naughton responded with the consolation goal in the 23rd minute for Far East United.

Tabatinga FC have also booked their spot in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over Gladiators FC. Goals from Carlos Isaacs and Romel Bhola in the 6th and 38th minutes were enough to secure victory, with Erik Veras responding in the 28th minute for Gladiators, who are third in the points standings and still have a chance of reaching the quarterfinals.

However, they will have to first defeat the winners of the North Rupununi South Pakaraimas playoff in a match scheduled for Saturday, July 23.
Over in North Rupununi, in Group A, Paiwomak FC female team joined their male counterparts in the quarterfinals after Challengers FC were held to a goalless draw in their final group match against Surama FC.

The draw allowed Paiwomak to advance due to their superior goal difference over Challengers who will now have to face Basin FC in their one-leg playoff scheduled for tomorrow at the Basin Sports Ground.
In the male match, Challengers advanced to the North Rupununi playoffs after defeating Surama 3-1, courtesy of goals from Marcos Rodolfo in the 2nd minute, and a double from Deroy Augustine in the 50th and 55th minutes. Niaaz Mohammed responded with Surama’s lone goal in the 57th minute.

In Group B action, Falcons, and F.C Basin played to a thrilling 3-3 draw which resulted in Falcons qualifying for the North Rupununi playoff; they will now face Challengers.
Kelvin John opened the scoring for FC Basin in the 70th minute but Alex Mendonca equalised in the 74th minute for Falcons. A quick-fire double from Kevin Hamilton in the 82nd and 84th minutes saw FC Basin gain what seemed like an insurmountable 3-1 lead but a penalty from Floyd Peters in the 86th minute and an Almir Moses strike in the 89th minute saw a spirited comeback from Falcons.

In East Central Rupununi, Group A action, the match between Jaguars FC and Kanuku Harpies FC female teams ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Mary Lawrence opened the scoring for Jaguars in the 13th minute, but Carolita Stephen equalised in the 81st minute for Kanuku Harpies.

With one round left to play, Flash FC lead the points standings with 11 but can be overtaken if they lose their final match and Jaguars FC win their final match. In the male match, Jaguars FC secured a quarter-final berth with a 3-1 victory over Kanuku Harpies FC.

Goals from Nimrod Park in the 36th and 89th minutes and one from Lu Lawrence in the 71st minute ensured qualification for the quarterfinals was achieved with a game in hand. Jason Marco notched the lone goal for Kanuku Harpies in the 56th minute.

Over in Group B, Kanuku Warriors FC were in commanding form, thrashing Terminators FC by a 9-0 margin to maintain their unbeaten record and book a place in the quarterfinals. A hat-trick in the 2nd, 11th, and 23rd minutes for Josepha Leonard, a brace each for Christalene Alfred and Phyllis Lorentino along with single strikes for Simone Alfred and Marlitha Alfred ensured the lopsided win for the dominant home team.

The male match between Terminators FC and Kanuku Warriors FC ended 2-2 with Kanuku Warriors already eliminated and playing just for pride in front of a boisterous home crowd. But it was Terminators who took a 2-0 lead in the first half courtesy of strikes from Nathaniel Peters and Aldie George in the 12th and 36th minutes, respectively.

But Simion Artes responded with strikes in the 62nd and 78th minutes to level the score. The draw severely dented the hopes of Terminators’ quest to qualify for the quarterfinals and they must now hope other results go their way in order to secure qualification.