Brazil’s Roraima Galacticos bossed the Guyana Football Federation/ExxonMobil International Futsal tournament with an unbeaten streak to cop the title and $1.2 million in the wee hours of Monday.
The Brazilian team, who hardly made a move wrong and were the engine room of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, produced some stupendous performances. In the final, they crushed Trinidad and Tobago’s Morvant Caledonia 4-1.
On the score sheet for Galacticos were Lucas Martins (25th), Arckson Andreazza (30th), Maxivon Carvalho (31st) and Raphel Lopes (40th), while Jomal Williams netted via penalty in the 35th for Morvant Caledonia.
Both sides kept an even share of honours with some shots hitting the post. For most parts it was a ‘cat and mouse’ affair with each side just praying for an opening to pounce. Brazil were the first to catch their prey lapsing.
Trinidad could have made it interesting when Williams had his second penalty denied with the scores 3-1 and still a minute more on the clock. From there on it was the samba of Brazil to the title.
Other results of the final night of the four-day tournament, which was coordinated by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, saw Georgetown All-stars losing 2-4 to the Brazilians in the first semi-final. Jeremy Garrett netted in the 31st and 38th for the city side.
In the knockout match, the Trinis edged Guyana All-stars 6-5. In the third place-play-off, Georgetown All-stars whipped Guyana All-stars 13-7.
The other participating teams in the tournament were a ZV All-Stars from Suriname, East Coast All-Stars, Linden All-Stars, West Demerara All-Stars.
Director of Sport Christopher Jones stated he was happy with the level of organisation of the tournament and hopes this sets the platform for more tournaments in 2019.