UDFA/ Banks DIH Christmas futsal…
By Joe Chapman
A DEVONTE Tappin feed to an awaiting Emmanuel Atkins, banged home the winner, in a 6-5 championship battle for Capital FC over Botafago to claim the fourth annual Banks DIH Futsal Christmas tournament on New Year’s night in Linden.
With seconds to go in the final of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) event and in front of a raucous crowd at the Retrieve Hard Court, fans were anticipating an extra period of play after the scores were knotted at 5-5.
However, Atkins stole the show and was the talk of the night.
In the battle for the top $1M prize at stake, it was Botafago who took the initial lead early in the game through a Malachi Todd conversion, but the scores were level 1-1 midway in the first half when Devonte Tappin got the equaliser for Capital FC.
Botafago then regained the lead with Shemar Caesar knocking in a flat shot from centre field, but again Capital FC levelled the scores through a close-up shot by Leyland Wilson.
As the close for the first half neared, it was Capital FC who took the 3-2 lead when a flat drive delivered by Omarion Ramsammy was successful.
Play would resume in the second segment with the crowd very much involved, and the rivalry tense.
Botafago would again get on even terms to the delight of their supporters when Caesar with a rasping shot, made it 3-3.
Then with about half way in this deciding period, Capital FC nudged ahead 4-3 through another Ramsammy goal and increased that advantage to 5-3 when Emmanuel Atkins scored.
But Donovan Francis was there on the right side to bring Botafago within reach trailing 4-5 and then bring the scores back level with just 1min 35secs remaining.
It was now anticipated that overtime would be needed to break this deadlock, but this was not to be.
With the seconds ticking away an alert Tappin intercepted a clearance and fed the ball to Emmanuel Atkins who slammed the ball into the nets for that 6-5 lead, which remained when the final whistle was blown.
The third-place playoff game ended prematurely with penalty kicks being taken after a 1-1 stalemate and Topp XX being adjudged the winner as Blueberry Hill failed to finish the kicks.
Capital FC’s Omarion Ramsammy was adjudged the Most Valuable Player and the captain of Capital FC Emmanuel Atkins received the winners’ trophy, medals and $1M cash from Banks DIH Outdoor Events Supervisor Omari Gordon, who was on hand to assist with the presentation.
For taking second position Botafago collected $500,000 and a trophy, while Topp XX collected $200,000 and fourth-placed Blueberry Hill $100,000
