CAY HILL--Gulf Insurances through “team work” emerged the winner of the National Sports Institute (NSI) Business Soccer League with a clinical 2-0 win over Windward Island Bank (WIB) at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex, last night.
Gulf Insurances went ahead early in the match through an own goal when the WIB defender failed to clear a corner which ricocheted off his leg to beat the stranded custodian to his left.
Gulf Insurances took a grip of the match, late in the first half when Edermar La Cruz hit the ball ferociously passed the goalkeeper from about 20 metres from the goal.
WIB finished the first half still playing energetically and optimistic about a come-from-behind win. They had one clear chance when the lady-striker was sent clear from a long ball but she hit the ball straight to goal keeper.
In the second half; though, Gulf Insurances seemed contended in ball possession and erasing time off the clock rather than attacking the goal. When WIB had possession of the ball the coordination was surprisingly off in attack.
For WIB, Joost Roben, Loen Brown and Dillian Mitchell are usually known for their impeccable passing in a triangle but last night it looked as if they read three different game plans before the match. In the second half, the goal keeper of Gulf Insurances was hardly challenged from the three strikers.
Captain of Gulf Insurances Diwesh Badloe in an invited comment told The Daily Herald, “It was teamwork that made us win the final. Gulf Insurances is about teamwork and we exhibited that tonight. My guys were motivated and really wanted this win.” Badloe who is the goal keeper for his team continued, “It was a real final. Both teams wanted the win badly but I’m happy that my team game out the winners.”
Gulf Insurances was the only unbeaten team in the six-team tourney.
In the third-place match which was played between NAGICO Insurances and Teachers, the latter won 3-1.
Kyria Ali of NAGICO Insurances sent her team ahead in the third minute when she evaded her marker and scored a good goal.
For Teachers, Anthony Hunter hit home the equalizer through a string of passes which ended with him scoring after the opposition defense stopped playing and were whining for a supposed foul-call which never came from the referee.
Melisha Brooks sent Teachers ahead with a well-placed kick across the goal keeper after she was given a nice pass from the striker. She was extremely happy about her goal and made everyone present at the stadium aware about her glee.
NAGICO’s game plan was primarily to send the ball up field to Ali who was left alone in front of the goal. Even though her ball skills were efficient for a woman playing among the men, the plan yielded only one goal.
Hunter sealed the win when he scored his second goal of the night with a flat and powerfully strike past the goal keeper before the keeper could react.
The tourney was organized by NSI and attracted six teams. Each team was allowed to play four males and two females.
