Phoenix soars into knockout quarterfinals

A flurry of goals and dismissals were the orders of the day in the preliminary stage of the blink/bmobile National Super League (NSL) knockout competition, with 1976 FC Phoenix, Eagles United, Defence Force and newly-promoted 1st FC Santa Rosa all advancing to the quarterfinal, yesterday. Another newly-promoted team Biche United took to Canaan, Bon Accord, in Tobago, but was no match for 1976 FC Phoenix, which walked away 5-1 winners. Phoenix led 2-0 at the half with efforts from Darin Mitchell (12th) and Dario Holmes (26th). However, in the second half, before any more goals were scored, two players, Jameel Hosein (56th) and Claude Orosco (67th) of Biche United were shown the red card from the substitutes’ bench without touching the ball, for dissent. Biche, nevertheless got a lifeline with a goal from Kennon Walcott in the 73rd minute, which soon after, followed another red card for the team still trailing. Biche’s Larry Cudjoe was sent off for a second bookable offence.

 

 

Phoenix then took advantage and won the match outright with goals in quick succession from Dominique Kerr (80th), Shelton Williams (85th) and Andel Noray (86th), which put them into the quarter-final round where they meet Stokely Vale. At the same time, Defence Force was made to come from a goal down to drop Club Sando 2-1. A first half effort from Sando’s Dexter Franklyn was cancelled out by the equaliser and winner from Levi Serries and Kareem Charles, respectively, in the second half. Club Sando also went down to 10 men before the match finished with Andy London receiving a straight red card for violent conduct. Defence Force will meet treble winner bmobile Joe Public in the quarterfinal. Newly-promoted FC Santa Rosa and Eagles United were the other two teams to advance after respective wins over Real Maracas (4-0) and Siparia Spurs (2-0). Sean Leoung Tat was sent off for Spurs in their loss. Santa Rosa will meet WASA FC, while Eagles meets Westside Superstarz. All quarterfinal matches will be played on Sunday, beginning at 4 pm, with the time and venue to be announced this week.