T&TEC shocked by EBSL

Defending champions and three-time winners of the SIS Industrial Football League, T&TEC, received the shock of their lives Monday, suffering a 4-0 defeat courtesy of security firm, EBSL, who are playing in their first ever competition. 

Action heated up on Monday as the top eight teams faced off in quarterfinal action as the competition draws to an exciting conclusion.

Both teams faced off at the Yara Recreation Ground in Savonetta in what was a keenly contested fixture where EBSL played excellent total football. Menelic Elcock put them ahead in the third minute with a clinical touch that left the keeper bewildered after a swift break led by midfielder Keinol Paul. 

From then on, the game tilted in EBSL’s favour as they displayed a more aggressive and purposeful brand of football than previous encounters. The defending champions fought hard and created several chances but the final touch was always lacking. 

Ten minutes into the second half EBSL doubled their lead as the youthful team seemed to have the edge in speed over T&TEC and took advantage of another speedy counter attack. 

The defeat in the electricity men was apparent as their passing became loose and the urgency in their ball movement dissipated. A defensive blunder in the 36th minute created the perfect opportunity for Paul to push his team further ahead with a neat finish and Victor Hosein put the nail on the coffin with a brilliant run that beat two defenders and shoot a blinder from the edge of the box that left the keeper flatfooted. 

As a result, EBSL earned the chance to face The National Gas Company (NGC) in what was expected to be a competitive semifinal fixture on Wednesday. 

NGC were 2-0 winners over Plipdeco at the Plipdeco Ground in what was the “Shaka Show”. 

Forward Shaka Bethel put his team ahead in the seventh minute with a leaping volley off a well-placed corner kick that sent his supporters wild. 

He was at it again eight minutes later, this time taking his own corner that fooled everyone as they watched it sail into the far corner of the net to lead his team to a hard fought win.

In the other quarterfinal matches, Nu Iron suffered an agonising defeat at the hands of IPSL’s Methanol Division 3-1 on penalties after the game ended in a 1-1 tie. They were slated to meet AUM Division who booted hosts SIS from the competition with a double from Glendon Reece in the other semifinal fixture on Wednesday.

The grand final is scheduled for today at the Plipdeco Ground and will kick off from 4.30 pm with the third place playoff, followed by an exhibition match featuring Brent Sancho’s TT Pro League outfit, Central FC and an all-star team featuring hosts SIS.

Entertainment will be provided by popular soca artists, live DJ and the SIS Point Fortin Jammers Rhythm Section.

Results

Monday

IPSL MX 1 (J Lewis) vs Nu Iron 1 (A Hunte).MX won 3-1 on penalties.

T&TEC 0 vs EBSL 4 (V. Hosein 2 goals, K Paul, M Elcock)

IPSL AUM 2 (G Reece 2 goals) vs SIS 0

NGC 2 (Shaka Bethel 2 goals) vs Plipdeco 0

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