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THE sixth annual NAMILCO ‘One Love’ Classic Football tournament kicked off with the defending champions Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) sending the first two teams packing, following contrasting wins at the Tucville Playfield on Sunday night. In the Fruta Conquerors-organised knockout event, the Police Force squeezed past Seawall United 5–4 on penalty kicks in the opening match of the double-header that saw GDF crush Northern Rangers 5-1 in the feature.
A hat-trick from GDF forward Marlon Benjamin (33rd, 35th and 90th) along with goals from Clifton Garraway (47th) and Quincy Craig (91st) was more than enough to overshadow the lone goal scored by Omali Nassy in the 41st minute for Northern Rangers.
The opening match saw GPF and Seawall United play matching football for 90 minutes as well as extra time, both failing to capitalise on opportunities to take the lead. This drove the match to a penalty shootout where Police scored on all five attempts.
Earlier in the day, the 16 teams decked out in their playing attire graced the field during the march past and saluted Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who delivered the keynote address of the opening ceremony.
Also in attendance were Mayor Hamilton Green, Managing Director of the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) Bert Sukhai, his financial adviser, Fitzroy McLeod, president of the Guyana Football Association, Vernon Burnette and his vice-president, Rawle Adams and GFF president (ag), Franklin Wilson among others.
The tournament’s action continues on Friday at the same venue when 2012/2013 Kashif and Shanghai winners Buxton United tackle Western Tigers while the hosts Fruta Conquerors do battle with Beacon FC. Kick-off time is 18:00hrs.
A hat-trick from GDF forward Marlon Benjamin (33rd, 35th and 90th) along with goals from Clifton Garraway (47th) and Quincy Craig (91st) was more than enough to overshadow the lone goal scored by Omali Nassy in the 41st minute for Northern Rangers.
The opening match saw GPF and Seawall United play matching football for 90 minutes as well as extra time, both failing to capitalise on opportunities to take the lead. This drove the match to a penalty shootout where Police scored on all five attempts.
Earlier in the day, the 16 teams decked out in their playing attire graced the field during the march past and saluted Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who delivered the keynote address of the opening ceremony.
Also in attendance were Mayor Hamilton Green, Managing Director of the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) Bert Sukhai, his financial adviser, Fitzroy McLeod, president of the Guyana Football Association, Vernon Burnette and his vice-president, Rawle Adams and GFF president (ag), Franklin Wilson among others.
The tournament’s action continues on Friday at the same venue when 2012/2013 Kashif and Shanghai winners Buxton United tackle Western Tigers while the hosts Fruta Conquerors do battle with Beacon FC. Kick-off time is 18:00hrs.
