Host clubs dominate opening night; US Matoury hammer Alpha 3-0
ALPHA United and Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe were but defeated on the opening night of the 4th edition of the Inter-Guiana Football Club Championships held at the Remire Montjoly Stadium. Playing in the feature game against the champions of French Guiana, US Matoury, Alpha United were outclassed in every department to lose the encounter 3-0 to ensure a c;lean sweep for the home teams on the opening night of play.
In the curtain-raiser, Inter Moengotapoe were also outplayed, losing their match to French Guiana’s number two side and winner of the inaugural championship four years ago, Gelder De Kourou, by a 1-0 margin.
Charlot Souvenson in a solo run from his half of play working his way down the right flank, dribbled his way past four of Inter’s players before drawing the goalkeeper off his line and with a neat left-foot curler guided the ball into the back of the net in the 61st minute.
Alpha had promised much prior to the game but were not able to deliver as they encountered a tough, well-olied and fit Matoury side that controlled the game from start to finish.
They proved why they are the champion team, overtaking Gelder in this year’s competition. The home team played compact football, were faster to the ball, maintained possession and knew what they were about whenever they were in control.
Alpha, on the other hand, were always playing catch-up and were guilty of giving away the ball too easy.
Despite playing with five midfelders and captain Anthony Abrams up-front, the Guyanese champions, missing a few of their regular starters who are playing in the Digicel Caribbean Cup in New York, looked a far cry from a composed, fit and tactical unit.
The home team stamped their authority early in the encounter by controlling the flow of the game. Alpha created two early opportunities but as has become the norm, they muffed up in the attacking third.
The defence and goalkeeper Richard Renolds were being tested regularly as Matoury kept coming at them.
Central defender Selwyn Isaacs who came froward at times was guilty of fouling an opposing player just outside the centre circle in Alpha’s half of play.
The ensuing free kick, which many thought would have been a regulation kick, to their utmost surprise, flew like a rocket off the boot of Eric Martinon, past the opposing players and finally, Renolds in the 32nd minute.
It was a surprising goal but a goal nonetheless, advantage to Matoury.
The fact that a goal from way down town was able to elude the wall and goalie summed up the performance of the Alpha team who never threatened up until the final six minutes of the game.
Matoury doubled the advantage two minutes after the break, a beautiful volley from Martins Dos Santos resulting from a corner kick. The game was put beyond the reach of Alpha in the 71st minute – another volley, this time it was scored by David Martinon.  
With the introduction of Andrew Murray and Leon Grubmle for Shawn Bishop and Shavane Seaforth, Alpha showed more purpose but it was all too late, three goals down and time not on their side.
They will now turn their attention to today’s match-up against Inter Moengotapoe – a must-win situation for both teams. US Matoury and Gelder De Kourou will play the main game tonight at the same venue.