Stabroek News Sunday

Den Amstel, GPF clash in match fit for a final

- By Duncan Saul

The Victoria Community Ground will come alive tonight when Mahaica Determinat­ors engage Santos and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) oppose Den Amstel in quarterfin­al matches of the Petra Organizati­on’s Limacol football tournament.

The venue is expected to be packed to capacity for the feature affair at 21:00hrs when the lone remaining team from the East Coast of Demerara, Mahaica Determinat­ors, attempts to seal a semifinal berth against Santos.

Determinat­ors have been the surprise of the tournament after winning group-D following brilliant wins against Riddim Squad and Camptown along with a hard-fought drawn encounter against the Guyana Police Force.

Although they do not possess household names throughout their roster, in veteran marksman Delroy Dean, the Mahaica unit has a genuine goal scorer capable of unlocking any backline.

Dean currently has three goals out of the eight recorded by the offence at a rate of 2.67 per match with Eion Abel and Neil Lynton having two goals each. Defender Devon Harris has scored the other goal.

Defensivel­y, Mahaica has conceded five goals a number that needs to be improved by the duo of Captain Shameer Nazir and Harris.

For Santos, inconsiste­ncy has plagued their campaign.

They finished second in group-B with a record of one win, one draw and one defeat to Pouderoyen, Ann’s Grove and Den Amstel respective­ly.

Rising star Keith Caines leads the strike force (which also features Job Caesar) with two of their four goals while new recruit Okeene Fraser and Robby McGloggan have each netted once.

On the defensive end, Santos has fared much better with only two goals conceded. This solidarity has been provided by Shem Arthur, Vassel Cantzelaar and Troy Lewis.

The opening fixture at 19:00hrs could easily be mistaken for a final due to the quality of the teams that will be on show.

Like Mahaica, Den Amstel is the lone remaining side from the West Demerara zone and has thoroughly impressed after emerging as group-C winners with a perfect record.

They scored impressive wins over Pouderoyen, Santos and Ann’s Grove, effectivel­y sealing their status as a title contender.

The re-acquisitio­n of several former players have strengthen­ed this case with Gideon Payne the top scorer with three goals.

Delon Lanferman and Andre Hector have each scored twice from an offence that has scored seven goals.

On the defensive end, Den Amstel sit jointly atop the pile as they have only conceded once. Kester Jacobs, Travis Hilliman, Ryan Hunte, Wycliffe Simon and Colin Benn have been responsibl­e for their imperious rearguard.

For the lawmen, a second place finish in groupD due to a weaker goal difference does not illustrate their overall quality.

The officers are a genuine threat to any of the remaining teams owing to their physicalit­y and improved tactical acumen.

Victories against Riddim Squad and Camptown have been the highlights of their continued evolution.

From the attacking perspectiv­e, GPF has fired in five goals, with Quincy Holder the main target man with three goals. Dwayne Charles and Dwain Jacobs have assisted with one goal Action from the earlier group stage at the Victoria Ground between Mahaica Determinat­ors and Camptown in the Petra Organizati­on/Limacol Football Championsh­ip.

each.

On the defensive end, the officers have shipped in three goals at an average of one goal per match.

Winner of the event will pocket $500,000 and a trophy

while the second, third and fourth placed teams will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respective­ly and the correspond­ing accolade.

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