The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Pouderoyen Football Club have advanced to this evening’s semi-finals following tough quarter-final assignments in the NAMILCO knockout football Festival Wednesday evening at the Tucville ground.
The army boys scored a 2-1 win in extra time over Monedderlust while Pouderoyen squeezed past Western Tigers following a penalty shootout after the two teams were deadlocked 1-1 after regular and extra time.
Monedderlust’s fans turned up in large numbers for their showdown left disappointed but not disgraced as the Berbice side held their own against a better physically conditioned GDF line up.
The soldiers were not short of target practice but they squandered at least 12 crucial scoring opportunities following effective raids from their striking line.
Monedderlust, whose defence stood the pressure well in the early stages of the first half, wilted after Desford Williams opened the account for GDF in the 26th minute with a well-placed shot.
The soldiers kept up the pressure but the Berbice side bounced back with a counter-attack of their own when star striker Adrian Adams received a perfect pass in the box and made no mistake in finding the back of the net in the 38th minute to the delight of their fans.
Monedderlust started the second half aggressively but the physical fitness they displayed in ousting Pele in the first round waned midway in the second half as the army boys resumed their aggressive runs but the ensuing shots at goal all went wide of the mark.
At the end of regular time the score remained 1-1 forcing the two teams into extra time.
GDF continued their onslaught and were rewarded when Stellon David scored 10 minutes into extra time.
Monedderlust made a desperate last ditch effort with two shots at goals from free kicks but both failed to score.
In the opening match of the evening, Pouderoyen weathered a fierce storm to beat a depleted Tigers’ side 4-3 in a sudden death penalty shootout.
The West Demerara side had taken a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute from Vincent Stephens and held on to the lead for most of the match.
However, Tigers equalised through Ryan Thomas who scored in the 87th minute.
The Tigers had two of their experienced players Edison Gomes and Devon Mukenton red carded and they felt the effects during the shootout.
Pouderoyen had taken the lead in the shootout and looked set to win but their goalkeeper Marvin Griffith who saved a penalty kick missed his attempt and brought Tigers back into the game before their goalkeeper also missed his shot.
GDF and Pouderoyen will meet in the first semi-finals slated to start at 18:00 h while the second semi will bring together Alpha United and BV Triumph United at 20:00 hours.
Alpha United advanced with a 1-0 win over Camptown, while BV/ Triumph United scored a 4-3 win over Georgetown Football Club in their quarter-final fixtures.
The final and third place playoff will take place on Sunday at Tucville Playfield starting at 19:00 h.
The winners in the Festival will collect $400,000, with the runners-up taking home $200,000, third place $100,000 and fourth place $50,000.
There will be other incentive prizes including awards for the most valuable player (MVP), highest goal scorer, best goal keeper and young promising players (2).
