Denron Frederick posing with his jersey in his hand in front of his Grenada teammates and fans. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images
Game report
Grenada international striker Denron Frederick's 46th minute goal ushered his country to a third International FGSL title as they edged Guyana 1-0 on Sunday night in a nearly soldout Old Boys and Girls high school stadium in Brooklyn.
Grenada's goal started with a long ball from captain Etienne Richardson, which Clive Murray smoothly controlled before laying it to Frederick on top of the box. The striker one-timed a shot that was deflected off a Guyanese defender and made its way to the far right corner of the net.
The Spice Boys now holds the record for the most Int'l FGSL titles, passing by Haiti who owns two.
Guyana had the first scoring opportunity of the final in the third minute when Trayon Bobb sent Clarence Huggins on goal with a neat through pass from the left wing. But fortunately for the Grenadians, their keeper, Josh Charles came off his line to snatch the ball from Huggins.
The Guyanese troubled Grenada's defense again two minutes later as Bobb hit a low shot on frame from Marlon "Billy" Benjamin's though ball. Keeper Charles was well positioned to make a routine save.
Grenada bounced back with their first close scoring opportunity in the 19th minute when Murray paced to Ariel Jacob's through pass to hit a low shot. Guyana's keeper Jonathan Copland repeated his opposing keeper's heroism as he came off his line to make a crucial save.
The Grenadians knocked on The Golden Jaguars' door again three minutes later. Richardson faked Bobb down the right wing before bolting away from him to whip a sizzling shot across the goal.
Frederick gave Grenada the lead five minutes inside the second half with a sweet deflected blast away from keeper Copland.
Bobb nearly equalized the game when he erupted down the right wing before beaming a strike that banged the cross bar three minutes after the hour mark.
The Spice Boys almost made two in the 69th minute when Frederick controlled a long ball before hitting a low shot in a keeperless net as Copland was off his line. Guyana's center back Garry Gills sprinted back to the goal and was able to control the ball before it found its way in the net.
Guyana's last major attempt to level the game was a magnificent semi bicycle kick by Huggins. Keeper Charles was once again well positioned to easily save Huggins' effort.
Grenada's coach Carlyle Fraser clapping after the game. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images
Player's voice: Denron Frederick (1 goal)
Grenada forward Denron Frederick, who came back from two ankle injuries in the semifinal, expressed that the 2017 International FGSL title was his most significant one in the U.S.
"In America, yeah this is my most memorable one. I'm going to really hold on to this one," Frederick said after the game.
He previously states: "To be honest this is not my first championship but I feel really good because we had a lot of struggle in the camp with the team, players not coming to training and all of that. I was injured for most of the season.
"But I did a lot therapy work with my ankles, I came back in the semifinal and now I just came and did it in the final. I'm very happy for the win."
The striker was pleased with his game-winning goal in the final.
"It's always a wonderful feeling to score, especially in a final," Frederick said with a big smile on his face. "I'm very proud of myself. My family really helped in terms of me getting back from my injury. I'm really, really happy to be honest."
Four key notes
1. Int'l FGSL Kings Grenada: The Spice Boys own the most Int'l FGSL titles, winning the competition three times. They won the inaugural season in 2012, later in 2014 and the last campaign in 2017.
2. Richardson vs Bobb: Former Grenada international midfielder Etienne Richardson and ex-Lithunian first division winger Trayon Bobb were going at it all night long. Richardson beat Bobb off the dribble once in the first half and tackled him on a couple of occasions.
Grenada captain Etienne Richardson next to Trayon Bobb. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images
However Bobb finished the game with six shots and made two key crosses that were almost headed in the net.
3. Warrior James: Grenada defensive midfielder Jason James was a valuable component in his side's victory. James had a multitude of defensive headers and was a constant threat to the Guyanese attackers with his tackles. James was subbed out late in the game after picking up a injury.
Grenada defensive midfielder Jason James. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images
4. The Golden Jaguars wanted that equalizer: Guyana recorded the most shots in a single game in the playoffs, shooting the ball 20 times.
Statistics
Grenada
Shots (on target): 13 (4)
Saves: 7
Fouls: 6
Yellow cards: Shane Rennie
Red cards: 0
Offside: 3
Corners: 1
Guyana
Shots (on target): 20 (9)
Saves: 2
Fouls: 11
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: Allon Alley
Offsides: 0
Corners: 5
