DEFENCE FORCE claimed their second straight title at the 5th annual SW Touring/THA Tobago Invitational Masters (Over 40) Football Tournament which ended at the Plymouth Recreational Grounds on Sunday.
The soldiers/coastguardsmen edged Have- A-Time 4-3 in a penalty- spot shootout following a goalless 40-minute final.
The Army/Coast Guard combination broke the hearts of the home team, as Have-ATime had been hoping to become the first Tobago squad to claim the title.
However, Defence Force goal keeper Earl Carter pulled off several spectacular saves to deny Have-A-Time striker Bert Leith.
In the shootout, Have- A-Time’s first kicker Shawn Job missed, while Defence Force captain Kelshall Alexander was on spot. Leon Davidson and Jodi Guiseppi both failed to convert for their respective teams, but in the next two rounds, Renford Charles and Marvin Joseph (Defence Force) and Goddard and Robert Dennis (Have-A-Time) all netted, leaving the score at 3-2 in favour of Defence Force.
In the final round, Warren Nelson scored for Have-A-Time, but Dexter Durant did not disappoint the defending champions, making it 4-3 much to the delight of the Defence Force supporters.
THA Secretary of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport Huey Cadette presented Defence Force with the championship trophy and US$2,000 cheque, while Have-A-Time took home US$1500. Cadette played in the tournament for 1976 Phoenix.
Goalkeeper Carter walked away with the Best Goal Keeper and Most Valuable Player Awards, while Kevin Olivera of Sunday Krew bagged the award for Most Goals, having scored six in the tournament.
Carter and Olivera each were rewarded with US$150.
Earlier in the day, the start of the quarterfinal games was delayed due to high wind and heavy rains. Many of the games were played in rain in contrast the bright sunshine which prevailed first two days of the tournament stayed at Canaan/Bon Accord Recreational Grounds.
Defence Force advanced to the semis after beating Empire of Barbados 1-0 in their quarterfinal clash, while Toyota clipped Wildey’s of Barbados 2-1. Have- A-Time similarly eliminated Flow- another Barbadian outfit- 2-1, and Sunday Krew dismissed the 2012/2013 champs Juventus of St.Johns 3-0.
The semi-finals had also been determined by kicks from the penalty spot. Defence Force got past Toyota 8-7 in sudden death penalty kicks after the teams were locked at 2-2 at full time.
Have-A-Time overcame Sunday Krew 4-2 from the mark after the match finished 1-1 at the final whistle.
In the Losers’ Plate finals Old Magic of Tobago beat TSTT 1-0, courtesy a Sherwin O’Neil goal.
The 2015 edition featured 13 teams (three of the 16 registered sides did not show up) with three from Barbados and one each from Grenada and Guyana.