Action in the 18th annual Kashif and Shanghai football tournament which happens to be the marquee event on the local football calendar commences tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground with a double header as the hunt for the $750,000.00 first prize begins.
With the competition being played on a knock-out basis, action is expected to be `up tempo’ when Santos Football Club takes on Amelia’s Ward United in the tournament’s opening fixture from 6pm.
That match will be followed by the Western Tigers/Silver Shattas encounter from 8.30pm.
In an invited comment, Dexter Cush, secretary of the West Ruimveldt-based Western Tigers Football Club told Stabroek Sport that he expected his team to win the tournament.
“We reached the final in 2002 and lost to Fruta Conquerors. This time around, we intend to go one step further and lift the championship trophy on the 1st January. That would be a New Year present for the West Ruimveldt community. Although we are missing a few key players in this year’s line-up, what we have available is still competent enough to get the job done.”
In the Tigers’ line up are defence stalwart and captain Dellon Fraser, Orin Pompey, Sherman David, who recently made the Guyana under-23 team, Phillip Rowley, Eusi Phillips and Gavin Wilson. Notable absentees are national striker Eron Hayde and goalkeeper Rolex Scott.
In the uprights for the Tigers will be guest player Keith Fraser, who was the custodian used by the NAMILCO All Stars technical team in the opening exhibition match against an Upper Demerara XI.
On the other side of the field Silver Shattas, out of the mining town will expect to shine brightly under the floodlit sky in front of partisan supporters.
Their coach, Carlton Mc Curdy, told Stabroek Sport that he felt his team has what it takes to beat the Tigers. “At this point and time, our game has been on the up. We have the potential to win this competition but our first hurdle would be Western Tigers and we have what it takes to pass that hurdle. Our guys just need to stick to the game plan and everything will fall into place for us. They also need to play to their full potential and even beyond as we intend to take home the bacon on the 1st.”
Shattas will be looking to their captain and inspirational midfielder Troy Richards, Julian Davidson, Michael Crandon, Deon Clement and custodian Oswald Benjamin to step up to the plate and pull the plug on the Tigers.
Benjamin should be on a high having had an outstanding game against NAMILCO All Stars on the opening night between the uprights.
George Waldron, Michael Wills and Wesley Hall are all expected to fill the gap left vacant by Lester Johnson who would not be lacing up his boots tonight for the Shattas as he is facing disciplinary action. In the night’s opener, Santos Football Club takes on Amelia’s Ward United and with neither team having experienced the joy of reaching the finals in this competition, there is much to play for and if all goes well for the `Ward’ team, Santos could be the first team to walk the plank. They will be banking on the services of Junior Alleyne, who had the opportunity of representing Notre Dame Football Club in Barbados and is expected to carry the team on his shoulders. He will receive support from Monty Simon, Shawn Daniels and Howard Watterton while the defence will be marshalled by captain Oscar Adams.
Santos, though, are no push-overs but will need to roll back the years to a period when they were part of the dominant force in Georgetown football.
Manager of the team, Rawle Adams, has high expectations of his players in this competition, as they will be championing the HIV/AIDS Awareness cause.
“We want to take the lead in piloting the fight, not only by winning this game, but in our campaign against the deadly disease HIV/AIDS that is taking our youths away from us. In this cause, we will be wearing armbands on the left sleeve of our shirt in support of the campaign. We, however, intend to win this opener although stiff opposition is expected from Amelia’s Ward. In order to effect this, our forwards must finish opportunities that presents itself to them.”
Santos’s challenge for the $750,000.00 first prize will be spearheaded by their captain and midfield stalwart, Renault Fraser, seasoned campaigners Seon Mc Kenzie (midfield) and Jermaine Fraser (defence) who is arguably the most consistent player in the team and their dynamic striker Dwayne Ali, who is expected to test the Amelia’s Ward custodian with his powerful drives.
One minute’s silence will be observed before the start of every game in the competition with respect to the death of former national captain Neil Hernandez leading up to his burial.
Regardless, however two teams will definitely be walking the plank.
