The National Stadium at Providence will be the setting and a new champion will be crowned when the third annual Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Knockout Cup commences today.
It will be Georgetown versus West Demerara for national bragging rights when Santos FC faces off with highly favoured Vergenoegen giants Slingerz FC in the grand finale at 20:00hrs.
Overcoming BK Western Tigers 1-0 to book their spot in the grand finale, the first time participants will rely
on their feared foursome of Vurlon Mills, Kevon Woodley, Dwain Jacobs and Walter Moore to propel them to the title when the game gets underway.
Upsetting the highly favoured Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 2-1 in the semi-final round, Santos will look for another inspired performance led by their talismanic Surinamese import Christoff Wensly in partnership with Anthony Abrams and Odel Williams if victory is to be achieved.
Charles Pollard, coach of Slingerz FC during a pre-match comment said:“We are not taking them lightly. They got rid of two good teams which were the defending champions and GDF, so we are going to put our best foot forward.
“We already have our plans and strategies and we are going to work towards that,” added Pollard.
Santos coach, Dwain Babb during an invited comment said:“Slingerz is a team we never faced before but we saw them play a few times. They are one of the teams that have an advantage but they can be beaten. This team has not come this far to turn back.
“It’s a great achievement for the club. They are eager to go on and the boys are well motivated,” noted Babb.
In the third place playoff, BK Western Tigers will face off with the GDF from 19:00hrs in what promises to be high scoring fixture.
Disappointed following their heart wrenching semi-final exit, the army side will look to start the year on a positive note. They will be led by the trio of Eusi Phillips, Delwyn Fraser and Royan Morrison, when opening whistle sounds.
Looking to rebound from their semi-final loss, Western Tigers will rely on the trident of Hubert Pedro, Randolph Wagner and Trevon Lythcott to propel them to a third place finish, when the action gets underway.
Calvin Allen, coach of Western Tigers during an invited comment said:“I expect a wonderful game. I know Coach Thompson well and know how he prepares his team. They are fit, technical and have skilled players, who have the hunger and drive to be successful.
“Both teams are on the same level and are very similar. Hopefully we can get the victory. I think it shall be a good matchup,” added Allen.
GDF coach, Denzil Thompson during a pre-match comment said:“We will play a younger team to give them the experience and to prepare them for the GFF Premier League next year. I expect a good game because Western Tigers are playing well now.
“It’s going to be a game with good intensity and technical ability,” said Thompson.
The eventual champion will receive G$4,000,000 and the championship trophy while the runners-up will pocket G$2,500,000 and the second place trophy. Third place finishers will receive G$1,500,000 and the respective trophy whilst fourth place finishers will collect G$1,000,000 and the corresponding trophy.
On the individual side, prizes will be awarded for the tournament’s most valuable player, the highest goal scorer, the best goalkeeper, most disciplined team and the best coach.
