GPF and GFC to battle in Corona Beer grand finale

Jermaine Grandison (right) of GPF  about to tackle Western Tigers Jamal Pedro during their Corona Invitational Football Championship semifinal at the GFC ground Sunday night. (Orlando Charles photo)
Jermaine Grandison (right) of GPF about to tackle Western Tigers Jamal Pedro during their Corona Invitational Football Championship semifinal at the GFC ground Sunday night. (Orlando Charles photo)

Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Georgetown Football Club (GFC) will contest the Corona Beer Invitational football final following semi-final wins over Western Tigers and Northern Rangers respectively on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda.

In what was a rematch of the group stage (2-1 Western Tigers), Dwain Jacobs settled the bruising and emotionally charged affair that produced more red cards, (four in total), than goalscoring opportunities, with a strike seconds before the conclusion of the first half.

Racing into the left of the box in the 45th+1 minute, Jacobs unleashed a shot with the outside of his right boot which bounced over the outstretched hands of the diving goalkeeper into the lower right corner.

Prior to Jacobs’ conversion, the contest mirrored a wrestling match as several crunching tackles were witnessed by the sizable crowd.

Target engaged-Kevin Dundas (right) of GPF keeps a close eye on Darren Benjamin (left) of Western Tigers at the GFC ground in the Corona Beer Invitational Football Championship semifinal Sunday night.

The first wave of expulsions occurred in the 31st minute following a scuffle on the field, with the combatants being forward Quincy Holder of GPF and defender Jarel Tyrell of Western Tigers.

The West Ruimveldt unit lost another defender in Linden Pickets in the 55th minute, following a wild lunge on Kishawn Lovell.

GPF’s Lerone Charles then added to casualties in the 75th minute with a rash challenge in the center of the field. Nevertheless, the officers held on in the remaining minutes to secure their first win over Western Tigers in several years.

Meanwhile, GFC secured their first senior final’s berth in several decades, dismissing Northern Rangers 3-0. It was a dogged performance from the home side with Benjamin Opara netting a double in the 14th and 85th minute along with a Dwayne Robeiro 64th minute effort.

The final and the third place playoff will be held at the same venue on September 17th. Winner of the tournament will pocket $1,000,000 and the championship trophy, while runner-up will receive $400,000 and the respective accolade while the third and fourth place finishers will walk away with $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Complete Results

Game-1

GFC-3 vs Northern Rangers-0

Benjamin Opara-14th and 85th

Dwayne Robeiro-64th

Game-2

Western Tigers-0 vs GPF-1

Dwain Jacobs-45th+1