Nigel Simon
San Fernando Giants created the biggest upset when the T&T Super League Cup kicked off on Sunday by dumping defending champions Guaya United on penalty kicks in their own backyard at Guaya Recreation Ground, Guaya.
Giants, struggling in the bottom half of the league table took the match to their host and went ahead in the 25th minute through Philvoughn Jones to lead 1-0 at the half-time whistle.
Eight minutes into the second-half, Keston Grant doubled the advantage for the visitors before Ronaldo Mc Intosh cut the lead in half in the 56th and the prolific Carlon Hughes drew the host level on the hour mark.
Both teams then wasted a few chances in regulation-time while looking for the winner. However, it was Giants who prevail 3-2 on penalty-kicks to set-up a quarterfinal clash with fellow league strugglers Petit Valley/Diego Martin United.
This after Petit Valley/Diego Martin United also created a stir in edging past Matura ReUnited 3-2 at Valencia Secondary School Ground, Valencia in a very entertaining fixture.
David Lendor fired Petit Valley/Diego Martin United ahead in the 12th minute but nine minutes later Kerin Vincent had the host on level terms.
The visitors went into the break 3-1 ahead thanks to quick strikes from Jose Centeno Parra in the 39th and Seker Mural, in the 44th.
Matura ReUnited FC needed to get the next goal in the contest to have a chance and in the 61st minute, Stevon Stoute did just that to cut the deficit to 3-2, however, the visitors then defended doggedly to secure a spot in the last eight.
Also advancing to the last-eight were Cunupia FC, Police FC, Prison Service FC and RSSR FC.
At the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, national beach soccer player, Kevon “Showtime” Woodley capped off Cunupia’s 7-2 trashing of Erin FC with a hat-trick.
The trio of Julio Noel (16th), Michael Darko (40th penalty) and Mikheil Peters (47th) were all on target for Cunupia to lead 3-0 before Dual Moore pulled a goal back for Erin FC in the 48th minute.
Peters then netted his second in the 56th for a 4-1 cushion before Woodley took over with strikes in the 73rd, 74th and 80th to carry his tally on the season to 15, six more than the quartet of Carlon Hughes, Kheelon Mitchell (FC Santa Rosa), Jason Boodram (Police FC) and Nathan Julien (Prison Service).
Three minutes into time added on there was still time for Sylvester Teesdale to get a second consolation item for Erin FC.
The Lawmen set up a quarterfinal date with Cunupia after whipping Bethel United 3-1 at the St James Police Barracks Training Ground.
Kadeem Riley fired Police FC ahead in the 16th but two minutes into the second-half Tejay Cadiz replied for Bethel United, only for the visitors to concede an own goal in the 52nd to hand Police back the slim lead, before Riley netted again in the 70th to make certain of victory.
In the other matches, both Prison Service FFC and RSSR FC won their matches on penalties over Club Sando Cultural Roots United, 5-4 and 4-3 respectively, after 1-1 draws.
RESULTS
Cunupia FC 7 (Julio Noel 16th, Michael Darko 40th pen, Mikheil Peters 47th, 56th, Kevon Woodley 73rd, 74th, 80th) vs Erin FC 2 (Dual Moore 48th, Sylvester Teesdale 93rd)
Guaya United 2 (Ronaldo Mc Intosh 56th, Carlon Hughes 60th) vs San Fernando Giants 2 (Philvoughn Jones 25th, Keston Grant 53rd) - Giants won 3-2 on penalty-kicks
Petit Valley/Diego Martin United 3 (David Lendor 12th, Jose Centeno Parra 39th, Seker Mural 44th) vs Matura ReUnited FC 2 (Kerin Vincent 21st, Stevon Stoute 61st)
Police FC 3 (Kadeem Riley 16th, 70th, own goal 52nd) vs Bethel United 1 (Tejay Cadiz 47th)
Prison Service FC 1 (Kylon Gay 52nd) vs Club Sando Cultural Roots 1 (Marcus Griffith 72nd) - Prison won 5-4 on penalty-kicks
RSSR FC 1 (Perez Popwell 48th) vs UTT 1 (Akil Clarke 32nd) -RSSR FC won 4-3 on penalty-kicks
Saturday's Quarterfinals
FC Santa Rosa vs Prison Service FC, Arima Municipal Stadium, Arima, 7pm
On Sunday
QPCC vs RSSR FA, St Mary’s College Ground, Serpentine Road, St Clair, 4pm
Cunupia FC vs Police FC, Venue to be confirmed
San Fernando Giants vs Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Venue TBA