As a prelude for this summer’s global youth football bonanza – Free Kick Youth Cup- several local district teams participated in the St. Lucia Football Association Inc. / Freekick Foundation Qualifiers, last weekend.
The on-field action at the SLFA Inc. Technical Centre in Grande Riviere, last Saturday and Sunday proved to be ‘quite exciting and entertaining’ as teams competed for the final two spots in the lead up to the upcoming youth football tournament.
Soufriere and Anse la Raye emerged as the eventual qualifiers for the SLFA Inc/ Freekick Foundation Easter U-20 District competition, as they secured their spots getting through the qualifying rounds.
Four matches were scheduled for Saturday, but due to the non-appearance of the South Castries team, La Clery earned a bye to the next round.
In other match-ups, Anse la Raye overpowered Micoud in a hard-fought encounter that had to be decided on penalty kicks 3-2, after a 1-all draw at the end of regulation time. Kimroy Monero scored for Micoud in the 22nd min, while national U 20 player Dhamanii Berthier equalised for Anse la Raye in the 57th min.
Choiseul got past Vieux Fort North on penalties 3 – 2, after that game also ended in a 1 – all draw. Kershel St. Rose scored for Vieux Fort in the 15th min, while Jaheem Skeete scored for Choiseul in the 52nd min.
Soufriere defeated Mon Repos 3 – nil; with goals from Inanco Sylvester in the 31st, Curtly John 51st, and Khaleb Jean 65th min.
In the final Playoffs, on Sunday, Soufriere defeated Choiseul 3 – 1 to book their place in the SLFA Inc/ Freekick Foundation Easter U-20 District competition.
For the ‘Sulphur City’ side, Eymani Butcher scored a brace with goals in the 30th and 53rd minute and Curtly John in the 43rd minute. Though Asa Hunte equalised for Choiseul in the 34th minute, they were not able to wrest the advantage from their more aggressive opponents.
Anse la Raye with a commanding display drubbed La Clery 6 – 1, in the other game played. Anse La Raye, under the astute leadership of captain and National U-20 player Dhamanii Berthier registered a braced in the 33rd and 48th min to set up his team’s comprehensive victory.
Berthier was ably supported with Jontae Seraphine’s brace in the 20th and 40th min, while Shawndel Gabriel and Adriano Augustin converted in the 42nd and 69th min respectively.
Anse la Raye and Soufriere now join the other preselected teams for what is anticipated to be an epic Easter tournament.