Block Che of Chancellor kept alive their hopes of winning this year’s Sagicor UWI Guild Champions League when they defeated the mighty Veterans of Irvine in the opening game, of final round of quarterfinal matches played at the UWI Bowl on Friday.
Block Che of Chancellor kept alive their hopes of winning this year’s Sagicor UWI Guild Champions League when they defeated the mighty Veterans of Irvine in the opening game, of final round of quarterfinal matches played at the UWI Bowl on Friday.
In what was built up to be an interesting affair, it was the men from Irvine who started the brighter team, dominating the early encounter with some attacking football, with Che having to work hard in defense for most of the first period.
The Veterans however failed to capitalize on their huge share of possession as the half ended 0-0.
The second half started in much the same manner as the first, Vets looking more dangerous going forward and they would finally reap some rewards for their efforts, when Junior Reid 20 yard strike somehow found its way pass the Che custodian in the65th minute to make it 1-0 in favor of the Irvinites.
The goal seemed to spark the game to life, the Lions of Che played with a lot more purpose and looked quite threating at times.
The Veterans wasted numerous opportunities to increase their lead and were made to pay, when a stupendous error from their goal keeper led to Che equalizer in the 77th minute.
The final 13 minute of the game was pretty much in balance as both team created opportunities that could have won it, the game however finished 1-1, so it was on to the dreaded penalties.
Both teams converted their first spot kicks, block Che missed from the spot first when David Beezer penalty was brilliantly saved.
This handed Veterans the advantage , but then after being 3-1 up in the shootout the men from Irvine failed to handle the pressure and missed their last three kicks to be beaten 4-3 by the Lions of Che who held their nerves for the second time running to win by a penalty shootout.
Che will now meet the defending champions Attica of Taylor Hall in what promises to be mouthwatering semi-finals on Sunday.
Writer: Andre YG Stephens
Photo: Ramone ‘Spinn’ Beckford held his nerve to score the wiining penalty in sudden death for Che
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