Kingston solidified their status as dark horses, eliminating defending champion Sparta 3-1 in the biggest upset ever recorded in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship on Thursday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
Kingston prevailed in the round of 16 showdown to ensure a new champion will be crowned in the prestigious championship. Stephon Reynolds fashioned a hat-trick in the third, sixth and 10th minute. For the loser, Gregory Richardson netted in the eighth minute.
Kingston will now oppose Spartacus in the quarterfinal section slated for this evening at the same venue, after the latter mauled Broad Street 6-1. Moore smashed three goals in the ninth, 11th and 16th minute while Mark Carrega tallied a double in the fifth and 18th minute.
Adding a goal in the 14th minute was Osric Barrow. For the loser, Omar Sinclair scored in the seventh minute. Meanwhile, Bent Street crushed Mocha 5-0. Sheldon Holder scored a hat trick in the fourth, fifth and seventh minute while Colin Nelson and Jermaine Beckles netted in the ninth and 17th minute respectively.
Their quarterfinal opponent Sophia edged Ansa McAl All-Stars 3-2 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 3-3. Gerald Grittens tallied a double in the fifth and seventh minute for Sophia while Joshua Kamal netted in the ninth minute.
For Ansa McAl, Shamar Fraser recorded a double in the 12th and 18th minute while Akin Curry scored in the fourth minute. On the other hand, Gold is Money and Leopold Street will face-off in the quarterfinal round following hard-fought wins.
Leopold Street bested Avocado Ballers 2-0. Omallo Williams and Darren Benjamin netted in the eighth and 10th minute correspondingly. Gold is Money edged Alexander Village 2-1. Randolph Wagner and Andrew Murray scored in the seventh and 18th minute respectively. For the loser, Shem Porter scored in the sixth minute.
Meanwhile Back Circle and Rio All-Stars will do battle in the final quarterfinal fixture. Back Circle earned their place in the final eight section after defeating Albouystown 2-0. Donovan Francis and Selwyn Williams scored in the 17th and 18th minute respectively.
On the other hand, Rio All-Stars needled Future Stars 1-0. Jermaine Junior scored in the 12th minute. The winner of the respective quarterfinal matches will progress to the semifinal round on February 15th.
Winner of the event will pocket $600,000 and the championship trophy, while the second place side will collect $400,000 and the respective accolade. On the other hand, the third and fourth place unit will receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.
