Future Stars continued their meteoric rise on the ‘street football circuit’, defeating Back Circle 1-0 to clinch the 3rd Annual Xtra Beer ‘Ballers in the Summer’ Street Football Championship on Saturday.
In a contest that featured very few chances at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac, Future Stars sealed the win in the 18th minute, as eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) awardee Jamal Cozier settled the outcome.
Cozier upon receiving the ball on the left side, slotted home into the back of the net, effectively settling the matchup. Due to the result, Future Stars walked away with $400,000 and the championship trophy.
Back Circle for their efforts, pocketed $150,000 and the runners-up trophy. Meanwhile, Tigerbay downed ESPN by a 2-0 scoreline to secure the third position.
Deon Alfred bagged a brace on either side of halftime. The first goal came in the fourth minute, lashing into the centre of the net from the right side.
Alfred then sealed the win four minutes onward, stabbing down the centre of the net following a goal-mouth scramble. With the outcome, Tigerbay walked away with $75,000 and the third place trophy.
On the other hand, the newcomers received $50,000 and the fourth place accolade. In the earlier semi-final fixtures, Future Stars crushed a disjointed ESPN unit 4-0.
Akeemo Anthony opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a left side strike into the roof of the net. Jamal Cozier doubled their lead in the 12th minute, slotting into the right side, after collecting a left side pass. Anthony further increased his team’s lead in the 24th minute, evading two challenges on the left side, before stabbing into the net. The lopsided encounter was completed four minutes later, as Cozier completed his brace.
Similarly, Back Circle downed Tigerbay 2-0. Adrian Aaron opened the scoring in the seventh minute, blasting a powerful right foot effort from the right side into the left corner.
Jermaine Beckles sealed the win in the 28th minute, racing away unchallenged to slot home into the empty net. On the individual side of the presentation ceremony, Cozier received $40,000 for being crowned the event’s MVP.
