The Finals of the FFB’s Inter-District Champion of Champions 2012 climaxed yesterday at the Ricalde Stadium in Corozal Town where home standing San Antonio FC prevailed in penalties over Benguche FC to take the title after they had ended regulation in an aggregate tie, and overtime was scoreless.
Game 1 of the home-and-away Final series was won, 4-2, last Sunday, December 9, by Benguche FC at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga.
Yesterday, on their home turf in Corozal, San Antonio FC pulled off the needed 2 goal margin of victory with their 3-1 win on goals by Russell Cassanova (21’ & 90’) and Everal Bodden (60’). Benguche’s only goal was by Shanti Castillo (58’). Trailing by a 2-1 margin in the waning moments of the match, Benguche was ever so close to the championship; but Cassanova’s last minute goal (90’) saved the day for his team, as it created an aggregate tie, 5-5, thus forcing overtime. After the scoreless 30 minutes of overtime, the championship was decided by penalty shootout, where San Antonio prevailed, 4-1, with goals from Johann Clavel, Russell Cassanova, Darnell Mossiah and Christian Pena. Benguche missed 2 of their first 3 attempts, to end the shootout. For Benguche, Eric Vasquez, Jr. missed; Kenton Flores scored; and then Leroy Garcia missed, and it was over for the boys from the south.
When the first semi-pro league tournament was inaugurated in 1991, Corozal’s La Victoria came away with the championship. And again it is a Corozal team, San Antonio FC, that has claimed the first championship in a resurrected tournament, the Inter-District Champion of Champions, that was popular back in the 1970’s, when in mostly involved district selections.
The FFB has also released its list of individual awardees for the 2012 Inter-District Champion of Champions. They are: MVP – Russell Cassanova (San Antonio FC); Most Goals – Darwaine Castillo (Benguche FC); Best Forward – Russell Cassanova (San Antonio FC); Best Midfielder – Christian Pena (San Antonio FC); Best Defender – Freddy De La Rosa (Benguche FC); Best Goalkeeper – Darren Hinds (Independence Scorpions);
Manager – Beauty Daniels (San Antonio FC); and Coach – Stanley Murillo (Benguche FC).