Mayaro Boys kept their nerves to capture the opening knockout competition of the bpTT Mayaro Football League on a sudden-death penalty kick at the launch of the 2014 season on Saturday.
Following a colourful parade of the teams at the Mayaro Recreation Ground, Mayaro Boys met Limers United in the final of the seven-a-side knockout competition, played in intermittent rain.
With the score locked at one-all after 40 minutes of regulation time, both Mayaro Boys and Limers scored two of their first three penalties, with the result depending on sudden-death kicks.
Both teams missed their next four kicks. Mayaro Boys scored with their eighth, with Limers needing to score next to stay in the game. However, goalkeeper Daniel Hagley was the hero for Mayaro Boys, as he saved the next Limers’ kick, giving Mayaro Boys the honours as the first title holders for the 2014 bpTT Mayaro Football League. Hagley was named MVP of the competition.
Earlier, Mayguaya United Under-14 team captured the March Past title, with their Under-16 team taking second place. Limers United placed third.
Organised by Illusions International Sports Club, the bpTT Mayaro Football League is sponsored by energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago, whose home community is Mayaro/Guayaguayare.
Matthew Pierre, bpTT community liaison officer, commended Illusions for an excellent job in organising the league which was founded by the late Razack Jan. He gave the commitment that bpTT would continue to sponsor the league which has unearthed several national players.
Councillor for Mayaro/Guayaguayare, Kyron James, thanked bpTT for developing football and other sports in the south-east region, as he urged the organisers and footballers to make full use of the opportunities offered to them.
Illusions International president Andy Thomas, appealed to the players to show discipline throughout the season. “Competition will be fierce but abide by the rules and the decisions of the referees. Let us continue to build on the past successes of the league,” he added.
Matches in the league competition, which will be contested in three divisions - Under-14, Under-16 and Seniors - will kick off later this month.