By Treiston Joseph
The finalists of the inaugural Guinness Cage Futsal tournament were decided on Tuesday evening after the semi-final round at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. It was probably the most physical night of the entire tournament with the referees allowing the players a bit of leeway in both semi-finals.
Ol Skool Ballers was the first team through to the final with a 3-2 win against Back Circle. The Ballers played with a smooth flow, while Back Circle was the scrappier and rougher squad with both teams searching for goals.
Roy Cassou penetrated the defence of Back Circle in the 10th minute for a close range goal, while Quason McAulay immediately made it 2-0 with a 12th minute goal.
Stephan McLean dropped a goal in the 17th minute from the penalty spot after Ballers were penalised for the maximum foul limit in a half.
Fabian Crawford’s 45th minute goal then sealed the deal for Ol Skool, while McLean scored his second for a brace in the 49th minute. Meanwhile, Future Stars emerged as victors after a 2-1 penalty kicks win in the match that ended nil-all after regulation time.
This was one physical futsal game with both teams pulling, tugging and pushing at one another in an effort to get an advantage. Both teams kept attacking to no avail, often times ending with wayward shots at goal or sometimes narrowly missing the target.
While a scoreless game, it was brutally entertaining because of the physicality of both sides. The final will be played on Saturday, September 16. The night’s action will start with the third place off set at 21:00h at the National Gymnasium.
