Sweaters FC whipped Slappers 2-1 on Friday to book their spot in the final and continue their remarkable run in the Anton Wolfe League at the Manzanilla grounds.
Keryl Garcia gave Sweaters the perfect start, firing in a rocket free-kick in the 3rd minute past the hapless Slappers goalkeeper.
Sweaters continued to dominate their opponents but could not add to their tally as they went into the interval leading 1-0.
They did not have to wait long for their second, however, as Franklyn “Priest” Sanchez answered their prayers with a goal in the 52nd.
“Priest” took advantage of some slack defending in the penalty area to slam home the loose ball and send his team’s supporters in seventh heaven.
Slappers pulled one back in the 65th but Sweaters held on for the victory as they advanced to the final where they will play Biche United.
Elvis Guy, manager of Sweaters, praised his players for their effort and noted that the team exceeded his expectations.
“We have beaten the odds. When we entered the league we did not have high expectations. The purpose was just to get the team playing again because of the limited amount of football in Sangre Grande,” he said.
Guy noted that although the intent of the team was not necessarily to reach the final or win the competition, the commitment of the players was evident throughout.
“The players have the club at heart and gave their all. That is the difference between us and the rest of the teams,” he said.
He revealed that the team is very confident now of going all the way and winning the tournament. “The hardest team on paper was Slappers because of the number of former Super League and Pro League players on their roster,” he said, “we’ve crossed that hurdle and we don’t see Biche as any threat to us,” he added.
He noted that the strength of their team is their ability to impose their will on their opponents and dominate the midfield battle.
“Once our midfield is working we won’t have a problem. Our team’s aim is to shut down the opponent’s midfield,” he revealed.
Sweaters finished second in the group stage before picking up steam and going into second gear for the quarter-final where they gave Cool It a taste of their own medicine with a 4-1 thrashing before taking care of Slappers on Friday to secure a berth in the title match.