The final of the One Guyana Hope Festival football tournament was held on Sunday last (February 16) at the Queenstown Center Ground, with the championship played under the newly installed lights, a promise fulfilled by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.
The event was hosted by Queenstown PYO and supported by Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture Ricky Ramraj and Regional Vice-Chairman Humace Oudit.
Queenstown FC emerged victorious with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Henrietta FC in the final. The tournament, which featured 60-minute matches (30 minutes per half), showcased intense competition and remarkable skill.
Henrietta took the lead in the 17th minute through Emmanuel Smith, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
However, Queenstown responded in the second half with a dramatic comeback.
Romal Hubbard equalised in the 52nd minute before sealing the championship with a last-gasp winner in the seventh minute of extra time (60+7’), sending Queenstown’s supporters into jubilation.
Henrietta secured their spot in the final with a commanding 4-1 victory over Good-Hope FC in the tournament’s opening match.
Devon Hardy (12’), Ezekiel Scott (27’, 29’), and Leon Cole (60’) found the back of the net for Henrietta, demonstrating their attacking prowess.
Queenstown, on the other hand, had to fight hard to earn their place in the final. Their semi-final clash against Dartmouth ended in a 3-2 victory.
Dartmouth initially led 2-1 with goals from Antoine Griffith (19’) and Stephon Clarke (25’), while Queenstown’s Jayden Mahadeo (23’) and Romal Hubbard (32’) kept them in the game.
With just a minute remaining in regulation time, Kristoff Jones scored the decisive goal in the 59th minute, securing Queenstown’s berth in the final.
An exciting exhibition match saw a combined Queenstown/Dartmouth U-18 team defeat the Good-Hope/Henrietta U-18 squad 2-1, adding further entertainment to the festival.
The champions, Queenstown, walked away with a cash prize of G$300,000 and two footballs.
Henrietta, the runners-up, received G$100,000 and two footballs. Dartmouth and Good-Hope, finishing as joint third-place teams, each received G$50,000 and two footballs.
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