Grenada and Guyana take their speed to each other in the Int'l FGSL final

Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Grenada star striker Clive Murray: "I guess the faster team wins."

The International FGSL will feature the most anticipated final in their seven years of existence on Sunday as Grenada clashes with Guyana at 7:30 p.m. at Old Boys and Girls high school.

This match will be the first ever final of a major amateur Brooklyn soccer tournament to be played under flood lights.

Another thrilling characteristic of the upcoming championship game is that it will display a battle between the two fastest teams of the tournament.

The Spice Boys has two forwards with uncontainable velocity: Grenada international forwards Clive Murray and Denron Frederick, who recently netted for Grenada's national team on April 29th against Trinidad and Tobago.

"We have two fast strikers," Murray said (talking about himself and Frederick), "as long as you get the ball to them, that's our game plan: counter attack."

The 26-year-old scored two magnificent goals of fast counter attacks in the semifinal against Jamaica.

"Yeah, they play a little bit rough," he said of the Jamaican's defense. "But you know, as you said, the speed, they can't control the speed."

Grenada forward Clive Murray on the ball against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


When asked about his side going against Guyana's speed on Sunday, the Grenadian said, laughing: "I guess the faster team wins."

The Golden Jaguars' swiftness, on the opposite end, consists of ex-Lithuanian first division player Trayon Bobb on the left wing and Dominique Babb on the right.

Bobb leads his country in scoring with nine goals and racked two assists in the playoffs using his dazzling speed and tremendous soccer IQ.

Guyana left winger Trayon Bobb. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Sunday's championship game will be Guyana's first ever appearance in the International FGSL final as opposed to Grenada who won the inaugural season in 2012 and later in 2014.

Guyana striker Clarence Huggins expressed how overjoyed he will be if his country bag their first Int'l FGSL title on Sunday.

"Really happy, really happy, in terms of creating history for our country," Huggins said. "We're bringing this home, we need to draw more supporters for next year, I believe in us."

Huggins and his two wingers, Bobb and Babb, will be going against an experienced Grenadian backline. The most notable member of the 2014 Int'l FGSL champions' back four is Damionne "Solo" Cyrus. Solo is a quick, intelligent center back who never loses his calm under pressure. 

Grenada center back Damionne "Solo" Cyrus in action against Jamaica. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images 


In front of Solo is ex-Grenada international midfielder, Etienne Richardson. Richardson is a hardworking captain with the remarkable faith that his country will down Guyana. 

"We can go all the way," Richardson said after his side's 2-1 win over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the quarterfinals. "Yeah, we can go all the way. We just need to be a little more focused and a be little more together as a team. There's nothing impossible to do."

The 37-year-old will be going against Guyana's captain in the midfield, Marlon "Billy" Benjamin. Billy is coming off a stellar performance in the semifinal against Guinea, in which he scored a goal, provided an assist and led his side in shooting with five strikes. 

Shane Rennie is another player to keep an eye on in the final. Rennie leads Grenada in scoring with six goals.

Grenada squeezes past Jamaica 2-1 in the semis

Grenada striker Clive Murray attempting to run past Nico. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report 

Clive Murray's brace guided Grenada to a 2-1 win over Jamaica in the International FGSL's semifinal on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Kendan Anderson pulled one back for The Reggae Boys at the half hour mark. Jamaica pushed for an equalizer late in the game but Grenada's defense was impenetrable.

Guyana eased past Guinea 4-1 in the previous semifinal to set up a date with Grenada in the final on Sunday at Old Boys and Girls (time TBA).

Grenada took the lead in the sixth minute as Murray controlled Shane Rennie's inch perfect ball over the top before pacing his way through Jamaica's defense to roll a low shot past Rashawn Best.

Jamaica's captain Mark Alves attempted to equalize the game four minutes later as he hit a low-shot to the side-netting after cutting a Grenadian defender.

Mark Alves took Jamaica's first shot of the game. Brooklynn Soccer Life images


Murray broke free from Jamaica's defense again with his speed but keeper Best came to the rescue as he paced off his line to dispossess the forward.

The Spice Boys went up by two in the 36th minute with a speedy counter attack. Denron Frederick sprinted down the left wing then hit a through ball to Ariel Jacob. Jacob directed a square pass in the box to a running Murray, who capped off the play with a smooth finish beyond Best's reach.

Jamaica took advantage of a defensive mistake from Grenada to cut the lead in half. Damionne "Solo" Cyrus rushed up to Anderson but missed the tackle. Anderson swifted around keeper Josh Charles to hit the ball in an empty net.

Jamaica striker Kendan Anderson scored his side lone goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


The Spice Boys sat back for the remainder of the game. Jamaica still managed to direct a mass shooting at them (Jamaica took 16 shots in the game) but were unable to score.

As the Jamaicans were on attacking mode, Grenada created a couple of close opportunities on the counter.

One with 10 minutes to go when Murray blocked shot fell to Frederick, who rushed a strike on frame from the six-yard box. Best was quick on his hand to perform an unbelievable save. And another one the following minute when Frederick hit another shot from the six-yard box that Best made an outstanding save out of again.


Players' voice: Clive Murray (2 goals)

Grenada striker Clive Murray scored Grenada's two goals.

"That's nothing new to me, I've been scoring goals," Murray said about his double after the game. Murray also netted in the semifinal against Saint-Vincent and Grenadines.

The striker was content that his side reached the final.

"I'm happy that we went out there and finished the job," he said.


Two key notes

1. Grenada's strikers came to shoot: Murray took six shots for his country and his striking partner, Denron Frederick, took three-- all of Frederick's shots were on target.

2. Leaving with a handful: Jamaica's keeper Rashwan Best put up another breathtaking performance between the stick, performing six saves, which was the playoffs' best tally, and coming off his line on a couple of occasions to dispossess the Grenadian attackers.

Jamaica's keeper Rashwan Best. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Statistics

Jamaica
Shots (on target): 16 (6)
Saves: 6
Fouls: 7
Yellow cards: 1
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 2


Grenada
Shots (on target): 11 (9)
Saves: 5
Fouls: 9
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 4

Guyana sees off Guinea 4-1 to clinch the final

Guyana players celebrating a goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report


Guyana overpowered Guinea 4-1 in the International FGSL's semifinal on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Aboubacar put Guinea ahead of the game early in the second minute. But his goal was canceled out 24 minutes later by Guyana's winger Trayon Bobb. Marlon Benjamin, Dominique Babb and Clarence Huggins completed The Golden Jaguars' four-goal summary in the second half.

Guyana will play Grenada in the final on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys and Girls high school (time TBA). The Grenadian edged Jamaica 2-1 in the other semifinal.

The semifinal was only two minutes old when Aboubacar opened the scoring for The National Elephants as he controlled Mohamed's low-cross before hitting a shot past opposing keeper Jonathan Copeland from the heart of the 18-yard box.

Guinea players celebrating the opener. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Guyana looked for an equalizer three minutes later as Bobb delivered an exquisite cross in a dangerous area but Guinea's center back, Papi Sy, was well positioned to clear the ball.

The Caribbean side did put themselves on level terms with Guinea in the 26th minute when Bobb blasted Jamal Pedro's short pass to the bottom right corner of the net from outside the box.

Guyana winger Trayon Bobb chasing the ball. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Guyana took the lead seven minutes into the second half as Benjamin transformed Kesler Jacobs' pass into a marvelous low-strike toward the right corner from the top of the 18. Guinea's keeper Diao did save the shot but after the ball had already cross the line.

Rawle Hensford's men netted a third goal in the 72nd minute when Benjamin headed the ball down toward Babb, who didn't fail to complete his simple task of hitting the ball in an empty net--keeper Diao had come off his line to challenge Benjamin's header.

Dominique Babb scored Guyana's third goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Guyana sealed things up with one of their familiar swift counter attack in the last minute of the game. Bobb sent Huggins on goal with a pinpoint through ball. The forward paced to the ball before steering a shot past Diao, who was once again off his line.


Players' voice: Clarence Huggins (1 goal)

Guyana forward Clarence Huggins was assured that his side would walk off the pitch victorious even after conceding an early goal.

"It was early in the game after they scored," Huggins said after the game, "we believed, we had the confidence that we were going to come back and win the game."

He previously stated: "We stayed composed, stick to our game plan and did what we do best, as you noticed, throughout the tournament most of our goals came in the second half so we weren't panicking."

Huggins views his 80th minute goal as a "reward" for his work ethic.

"I was working hard, after working hard, you know I would get the reward for how well I was playing," the striker said smiling. "I was playing off the defense, laying off the ball, you know eventually the goal would come."


Three key notes

1. The Golden Jaguars were biting in the first half, The National Elephants fought back in the second period: Guyana committed eight fouls in the first half. Guinea returned the favor with seven fouls after the restart. Both sides finished the game with 11 fouls.

2. Both finalists savored a comeback win in the playoffs: The other finalists, Grenada, had to overcome conceding a second-minute goal in the playoffs also when they rallied back for a 2-1 win over Saint-Vincent and Grenadines in the quarterfinals.

3. Stellar Ben: Guyana captain Marlon Benjamin netted the leveler, assisted the third goal and led his side in shooting with five strikes.

Guyana skipper Marlon Benjamin. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Statistics

Guyana
Shots (on target): 13 (8)
Saves: 6
Fouls: 11
Yellow cards: 2
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 4


Guinea
Shots (on target): 10 (7)
Saves: 4
Fouls: 11
Yellow cards: 4
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 0

Jamaica reaches the semis with a 3-1 win over Lucia

Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report

Jamaica muscled past Saint Lucia 3-1 in the International FGSL's last quarter-final game on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Kendan Anderson netted the opener for The Reggae Boys just nine minutes into the game. Kimal Malcome doubled Jamaica's lead 20 minutes later. Lucia's forward Daran Fedee pulled one back for his country in the 31st minute. But Jamaica re-established their two-goal lead three minutes inside the second half with Mark Alves' penalty kick.

St. Lucia took the first shot of the game in the eighth minute but it was the Jamaican side that netted the match's first goal the following minute.

Anderson bolted down an empty Lucia's defense on a counter. Keeper Chad Philip came off his line but the Jamaican forward paced past him before steering a low shot that clipped the bottom of the left post then went in the vacant net.

Former Jamaica U-20 international forward, Kendan Anderson, netted the opener for The Reggae Boys. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


The Reggae Boys made it two from another counter attack as Malcome finished Anderson's pass just one minute before the half hour mark.

The Helen of the West cut Jamaica's lead in half two minutes later when Fedee one-timed a loose ball in the net from the box past keeper Rashawn Best.

The Jamaican secured their two-goal lead back three minutes after the restart. They were rewarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box on their opponents.

Captain Alves stepped up to the spot to take the penalty for his country. The attacker converted the spot kick, picking the middle right corner of the net.

Jamaica's skipper Mark Alves converted a penalty in the 49th minute. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Two key notes 

1. Lucia's shooting riot: The Helen of the West fought to catch up to Jamaica's three goal to remain in the tournament as they took 18 shots (seven more than Jamaica). But sadly only one of their shots found the net.

2 Teenage keeper Best stood tall in front Lucia's shots: Rashawn Best racked four crucial saves for Jamaica.

Jamaica's keeper Rashawn Best. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


 Statistics

Jamaica
Shots (on target): 12 (4)
Saves: 4
Fouls: 5
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 3

Saint Lucia
Shots (on target): 18 (6)
Saves: 2
Fouls: 6
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 5

Guyana powers past Nigeria 4-1 to move to the semis

Guyana players celebrating. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Game report

Guyana conquered Nigeria 4-1 in the International FGSL's quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Delon Lanferman starred for the Guyanese side, scoring two goals. Deshawn Joseph and Clearance Huggins completed the winning side's side scoring summary with a goal each. Yussuf Olajide netted Nigeria's solitary goal.

Guyana embarked their scoring display with an exquisite series of passes. Dominique McKennon found an unmarked Trayon Bobb in the box, who knocked a short pass to Lanferman. The Guyana U-23 player one-timed Bobb's pass with a low shot past Nigeria's keeper Kosi Agbevor.

Guyana international winger Trayon Bobb assisted his side's first goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Nigeria evened up the game two minutes inside the second period when Olajide controlled Victor Ogumwode's through ball before pacing in the middle of Guyana's defense to unleash an initial shot that was blocked by Kevin Sullavon. The former St. Francis College player collected the rebound off Sullavon and hit a smooth low shot to the left corner of the net beyond opposite keeper Jonathan Copland.

Lanferman handed The Golden Jaguars the lead again in the 54th minute. Huggins started it with a cross that was spilled by keeper Agbevor. The ball fell right at Lanferman, who took full advantage of the opportunity by whipping the ball in the net from the top of the six-yard box.

Joseph made it three for Guyana by directing a free-kick to the bottom left corner of the net with 15 minutes to go from about 25 yards out.

Huggins was the last one who signed the Caribbean side's goalsheet as he cannoned a voluptuous shot from the heart of the 18-yard box. 

Players' voice: Delon Lanferman (2 goals)

Guyana U-23 player, Delon Lanferman, was glad his side moved to the next round of the playoffs.

"I'm happy we reached the semifinals and played good football," he said after the game. "We trained hard and focused in the game. Guyana never won nothing so we're hoping to keep playing good football and win the tournament."

Lanferman netted a double. 

"I feel good scoring two goals but I was supposed to score more than that," he said. "I was supposed to score a hat trick."

Four key notes

1. Swift and smooth Guyana: The Golden Jaguars put up a breathtaking performance as they constantly penetrated down Nigeria's midfield with speedy counter attacks. Lanferman credited his coach, Rawle Hensford, for their style of play. 

2. A yellow win: Guyana tallied four yellow cards. Their two center backs were on a yellow card in the 33rd minute.

3. Nigeria left no shots behind: The Super Eagles smothered Guyana's back four as they took 11 shots, which is just one less than Guyana's tally. But unfortunately only two of their shots were hit on frame

4. No goal for Benjamin: Marlon Benjamin led Guyana in shots, striking the ball four times (two of his shots were on target). However the midfielder ended the game without a goal.

Statistics

Guyana

Shots (on target): 12 (7)

Saves: 1

Fouls: 13

Yellow cards: 4

Red cards: 0

Offsides: 2

Corners: 2

Nigeria

Shots (on target): 11 (2)

Saves: 4

Fouls: 12

Yellow cards: 2

Red cards: 0

Offsides: 4

Corners: 2

Grenada overcomes Saint-Vincent's early goal to beat them 2-1 in the quarters

    Grenada's team in a huddle. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Game report

Grenada rallied back for a 2-1 win over Saint-Vincent and Grenadines in the quarter-finals of the International FGSL on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Saint-Vincent's captain Daren Francis netted the opener early in the second minute of play. Francis' goal was cancelled by Grenada's number 10 Shane Rennie's penalty kick at the quarter hour mark. Clive Murray scored the winning goal for The Spice Boys thirty minutes inside the second half.

Guinea stunned defending champions Haiti 7-1 earlier on Sunday in the first quarter-final. It looked as if another upset was in the making when sixth placed SVG took the lead over third placed Grenada just two minutes into the game.

It was Francis who gave Saint-Vincent the speedy lead as he beamed Delroy Samuel's short pass past opposing keeper Josh Charles from the top corner of the 18-yard box.

    Saint-Vincent goalscorer Daren Francis. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Grenada was rewarded a penalty kick in the fourteenth minute for a foul committed by the Vincentian right back Ryan Creese.

Grenada almost took the lead two minutes inside the second half when Richardson Etienne rolled a through ball to Marcus Julien. But unfortunately for the Island of Spice, the Vincentian keeper Marcus Williams came off his line and dove at Julien to dispossess him from the ball.

SVG went down to 10 men six minutes after the hour mark. Center back Cristino Myers was red-carded for a hard tackle on Etienne.

Despite playing down a man, Vincent came close to re-taking the lead when Ronsil Badnock sliced a shot with the outside of his boot from the top of the box to the top right corner of the net. Keeper Charles flew on his left to make a breathtaking one-handed save.

The Spice Boys scored the decisive goal half an hour in the second half as Clyve Murray brought down an exquisite ball over the top before dribbling past a couple of Vincentian defenders to roll the ball to the bottom left corner of the net.

    Clive Murray netted the game winning goal for Grenada. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Three key notes

1. All Grenada's shots on target were goals: Grenada's two shots on target both resulted in goals. Saint-Vincent took more shots on target than The Spice Boys, outnumbering them 5-2. Grenada didn't record a shot on goal in the first half.

2. Saint-Vincent played most of the game with only one coach: SVG assistant coach was ejected in the 21st minute for screaming at the referee after he failed to blow his whistle for a hand ball in the  middle of the pitch on Grenada.

3. Grenadian keeper Josh Charles was a valuable asset in his side's win: Charles racked four saves to keep his side in the game before their winning goal in the 63rd minute.

    Grenada's keeper Josh Charles. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Players' voice: Richardson Etienne

Former Grenada international, Richardson Etienne, was overjoyed by the playoff win and praised the Grenadian supporters for their vibrant spirit.

"I'm very happy," Etienne said. "For my first year playing here for a long time, come back and play with the national team is [great]. The crowd is amazing. They always there every game. We looking forward to the next game."

    Grenada midfielder Richardson Etienne. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


When asked if he still believed his side had a chance to win when they went down a goal in the second minute, Etienne said: "Yeah, sure. With the quality players we have."

He later added: "We was one goal down, we decided to keep going at it, keep pushing forward and put some pressure on them."

Grenada lost to Haiti in the final last season, the midfielder is assured that his country will go on to win the league this year.

"We can go all the way," he said. "Yeah, we can go all the way. We just need to be a little more focused and a little more together as a team. There's nothing impossible to do."

Statistics 

Grenada
Shots (on target): 11 (2)
Saves: 4
Fouls: 11
Corners: 4
Offsides: 2
Yellow cards:1
Red cards: 0

Saint-Vincent and Grenadines 
Shots (on target): 7 (5)
Saves: 0
Fouls: 8
Corners: 1
Offsides: 0
Yellow cards: 2 (Ronsil Badnock, Ryan Creese)
Red cards: Cristino Myers