A new champion will be crowned the Upper Demerara Football Association [UDFA] GT-Beer Championship after Eagles defeated defending champs Botofago on 6-5 sudden death penalty kicks in the semi-final round on Friday.
Locked 2-2 at the end of regulation and extra time at the Mackenzie Sports Club [MSC] ground, Linden, the game entered the sudden death penalty realm, after both teams scored their allotted kicks to end 5-5. However, Eagles scored their sixth attempt to take the lead, only for Botofago to miss from the distance and seal their exit from the tournament.
Prior to the dramatic conclusion, Omar Brewley handed Eagles the lead in the 18thminute via a penalty conversion.
Donovan Francis equalised in the 60th minute, curling a freekick from just outside the right of the box, past the custodian.
The scoreline remained the same, as the fixture eventually headed into the extra time interval. Eagles retook the lead in the 100th minute through a Colwyn Drakes strike.
However, Jeshawn Moore ensured the match entered the penalty shoot-out stage, levelling proceedings in the 118th minute with a left sided freekick, which settled into the roof of the net.
With the win, Eagles will now oppose fellow undefeated side Net-Rockers in the finale on January 1st at the same venue.
Net-Rockers defeated Winners Connection 1-0 in the other semi-final clash. Denzil Pryce recorded the only goal in the contest compliments of a 106th minute strike. The two losers will face-off in the traditional third place playoff.
Complete Results
Game-1
Eagles-2 vs Botofago-2
Eagles won 6-5 on sudden death penalty kicks
Eagles Scorers
Omar Brewley-18th
Colwyn Drakes-100th
Botofago Scorers
Donovan Francis-60th
Jeshawn Moore-118th
Game-2
Net-Rockers-1 vs Winners Connection-0
Denzil Pryce-106th
