Laing Avenue was crowned the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown champion, defeating former titleholder North Ruimveldt 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks on Sunday evening at the National Park tarmac, Thomas Lands.
Scoreless at the end of full time, the penalty shoot-out commenced in the worst possible manner for Laing Avenue as they missed from the distance. However, North Ruimveldt failed to capitalize, as Jaleel Hamilton struck the right upright.
Another unfortunate miss occurred for Laing Avenue to start the second round, handing North Ruimveldt another opportunity to seize control of the contest. Fortunately for Laing Avenue, North Ruimveldt once again failed to capitalize, as Travis ‘Zoro’ Grant missed from the distance.
Laing Avenue finally converted at the start of the third round to take a 1-0 lead. North Ruimveldt mirrored their result, as they also scored to make it 1-1 and send the match into the sudden death realm.
Laing Avenue then scored with their fourth attempt to reclaim the lead at 2-1. Needing to score to keep their hopes alive, Joshua Browne sealed his team’s loss as he fired his effort wide of the left corner, sparking wild celebrations on the field.
Laing Avenue pocketed $800,000 and the championship trophy. They also secured an automatic berth to the national championship in August. North Ruimveldt collected $400,000 and the second-place trophy.
Meanwhile in the third-place playoff, Gold is Money defeated North East La Penitence 2-1 on penalty kicks, after regulation time ended 2-2. With the result, Gold is Money pocketed $200,000 and a trophy, while North East walked away with $100,000 and the fourth-place award.
On the individual side of the presentation, Laing Avenue’s Bevney Mark was adjudicated the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the event. He will receive a pair of football turfs from Colours Boutique.
In the earlier semi-final round, Laing Avenue upset two-time defending champion Gold is Money 1-0, while North Ruimveldt bested North East La Penitence by an identical score.
Complete Results
Final
Laing Avenue-0 vs. North Ruimveldt-0
Laing Avenue won 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks.
3rd Place
Gold is Money-2 vs North East La Penitence-2
Gold is Money won 2-1 on penalty kicks
Semi-final round
Game-1
Gold is Money-0 vs. Laing Avenue-1
Game-2
North East La Penitence-0 vs. North Ruimveldt-1
