Ash Education and tournament favourite, Wismar Christianburg powered into today’s final of the Chico/Kashif and Shanghai Elite Next Generation tournament following semi final victories on Monday.
Under the floodlights of the Eve Leary ground, the young football stars of Ash Education and Wismar Christianburg shone the brightest, brushing aside tournament heavyweight, Waramadong and dark horses, St. George’s, 2-1 respectively to earn historic berths in the final of the inaugural tournament.
The Berbice based Ash Education outfit, came from a goal down to stun the Region Seven based, Waramadong Secondary in arguably the most entertaining game of the tournament which initially kicked off on December 8.
After Lindel Joseph buried a free kick from just outside in the 18-yard box in the 21st minute that sent the pro Waramadong crowd into a frenzy, Akeemo Watts equalized four minutes later and silenced the crowd when he found the back of the net with a curling right footer from the edge of the box.
In the 29th minute, Brian Thom pounced on a deflection and sent the right-footed game winning screamer from the middle of the 18-yard box that zoomed past the outstretched hands of the Waramdong custodian to spark wild celebrations and clinch their place in the final.
The second half was more pedestrian as the Ash Education players were content to sit back on defense and preserve their lead, only counter attacking when it mattered. Despite the spirited second half play by Waramadong students, they failed to equalize or go ahead as countless balls ended up into the gloves of the Berbician custodian.
Wismar Christianburg defeated a game St. George’s unit after prolific goal scorer; Shane Luckie found the back of the net in the sixth minute with a flat right footer to the far left post from 12 yards after eluding two defenders.
Two minutes later, Jermaine Scott recorded the equalizer for the city based team in similar fashion.
Throughout the remainder of the first half both teams failed to secure the go ahead goal as several mistimed shots sailed over the bar or were saved by the respective goalies.
After the break, both units came out in full attack mode but the Linden ball weavers were the ones rewarded.
In the 79 minute, Daquan Hercules dribbled from midfield and slammed home the game winner from 20 yards as the stunned St.George’s goalie was too late to latch onto the ball.
In today’s third place match at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, St. George’s High will tackle Waramadong at 16:00hrs while the grand finale will kick off two hours later.
Notes: The games will be played at the GFC ground and not the Providence National Stadium as was previously announced.
The goal Waramadong scored against Ash Education was the lone goal conceded by the Berbicians in their three games so far in the tournament.
In their round of 16 and quarterfinal fixtures, Ash Education thrashed President’s College 13-nil and defeated Annandale 3-nil.
The winner of the tournament will pocket a record $1.2M in cash of which 75% will go towards a project identified by the school.
They will also receive a trophy and 25 replicas along with the prize money.
The institutions placing second, third and fourth will each receive prize monies amounting to $750,000, $500,000 and $250,000, in cash respectively.
The second and third place teams will receive trophies and 25 silver and bronze medals respectively, while the fourth place team will receive a trophy.
