The historic One Guyana President’s Cup which continues to make an indelible mark in the football landscape is now down to the semi-finals which would be contested at the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara, this evening.
Set to faceoff for a place in the final is the New GPC Ferrol Demerara Mahaica (Region Four) vs Mahaica – Berbice (Region Five) from 18:00h then the Caribbean Airlines Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) vs Cuyuni- Mazaruni (Region Seven) from 20:30h.
Region Seven rallied to record their third win of four matches to advance to the semi-finals after suffering a heavy 1-6 loss to Region Four in their first match of the group stage.
Thereafter, they notched three consecutive wins – respective 1-0 triumphs over Region Six and Nine – and a 3-0 win over Region Eight on Christmas Night at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.
Scoring all three of their goals was Andrew ‘Somersault’ Simmons who performed his trademark somersault after scoring each goal, much to the delight and cheers of the home fans which number well over eight hundred, and the largest attendance at any venue to date.
It was a performance that was witnessed by Mayor Gifford Marshall, Deputy Mayor Arita Embleton, Bartica FA Secretary and Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams, Ewrin Ward (Prime Ministerial Representative in Region Seven), former Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford, Bartica Football Association President Alden Marslowe and his executive committee, and Former Guyana and FIFA Referee now Instructor, Diane Ferreira-James among others.
Mayor Marshall, speaking after the Region’s performance expressed delight at their achievement in this historical competition which is being played for the first time.
“As we celebrate this season of joy, peace, and goodwill, we have much to be thankful for and grateful for. Tonight, we are thankful for the victory of the Region 7 team. It was a well-deserved victory and I commend the management team and the hundreds of spectators that turned up at the venue to support the game.
Further, I am grateful to President Ali, and Football President Wayne Forde for initiating this tournament. This timely investment in football I believe will go a far way in addressing many of the social ills we face daily while at the same time positively impacting the sports in general.
As a stakeholder, I reaffirm my office’s commitment and support for the good of the game and the success of our youths. I wish all the teams well and trust that this tournament will be the foundation of greater things to come.”
Also showering praise on the team was Bartica Football Association President, Alden Marslowe.
“The entire region is extremely proud of the team’s performance in the game on Christmas night, and its overall position in the tournament. We went into this match with high confidence, and it showed in the way the guys played and produced three goals.
Going forward to the semi-finals, we know that we would need to lift the intensity against a highly talented team. Ours is a young squad, but the guys have adapted well to this tournament and have consolidated their strategies. All we need now is to maintain that composure and give themselves an outside chance to reach the final…and possibly win it all.”
