The Denfield “Tody” Thomas Memorial League 2024, popularly known as the New Village League, concluded on a high note last evening, seeing the young Germans crowned Champions of the “Small Goal World Cup “.
The third-place match between Italy and Argentina kicked off the action-packed night. Italy had the upper hand on Argentina after they started a few short. Reinforcements would arrive after some minutes of action but that didn’t stop Italy from drawing first blood with a strike from youngster Jamarni Jarvis.
Argentina didn’t take the blow lightly and equalized within minutes of the restart, courtesy of their leading marksman, Oshane Blackwood. The game continued with some close calls but neither team did enough to get the winner in regular time and it came down to penalties to decide the third-place winner. Nerves weren’t an issue for Argentina as they calmly slotted home 4 of their five penalties while Italy could only convert three.
Germany and Morocco took center stage for the main event for the chance to be crowned champions of the Small Goal World Cup. The game started slow but heated up in a matter of time, with both teams playing in the finals of the tournament’s history. Fresh & Easy Supermarket Germany ( In Time To Come ), managed by Senior Benna Girls manager Esther Anthony and coached by Benna Girls U14 coach Lorraine Charles and Morocco ( New Generation ) a product of the Garden Stars Football Club’s academy were full of young talent and fully deserving of playing in the finals.
Shemar Anthony silenced the crowd at The Garden after his strike opened the scoring for his team and went well into half-time leading 1-0 with Morocco unable to find an answer. Play resumed with Germany pulling out the delayed tactics to slow the game down and take some time off of the clock, being well organized in defense and as good going forward.
A few attacks with some good movement Morocco got the equalizer from Jevuaghn Jarvis that was greeted with high celebrations from the home crowd. The chance now again presented itself for anyone to be crown champions. The go-ahead goal in regular time was out of reach for both teams and for the second time of the evening, penalty kicks would decide the winner.
Germany had gotten to the finals by way of two penalty shoot-outs and backed themselves to get the job done when it mattered most, and that they did. Showing no nerves, Germany outscored Morocco in the shootout 4-3 to be crowned the champions of the Denfield “Tody” Thomas Memorial League 2024. The Small Goal World Cup Champions.
Wilton Rhodes from Germany was judged the Most Valuable Player of the league, receiving prizes from sponsors Tradewinds Hotel and Limits Backhoe Services. Best Young Player award was captured by Tyrique Lothian of Morocco and he received prizes from 4K Sports Accessories plus. Football Profile 268 sponsored prizes for two young emerging talents and those were awarded to Tiquan Anthony and Asanti Warner from Morocco. The Golden Boot award was captured by Malique Martin from Brazil.
The champion team received $3000.00, the second place received $1500.00, and the third place received $500.00. Each team also received an additional $200.00 for every advancement from the group stage. Prize monies were sponsored by WTP We The People media network and the Hon. E P Chet Greene.
