Tensions are rising in the critical stages of the Over 35 mid-season Knockout Cup as every Futsal team in the league is putting everything on the line to be crowned Tongaat’s finest.
The first few games of the Knockout Cup saw Belchester diminish a helpless Just Friends 11–2 to reach the semi-final stage of the tournament. The other three quarter final games were nail biting encounters with Maidstone narrowly edging out Tongaat Falcons by 5 goals to 4.
Westend United also pushed for the final while up against Belvedere FC. The pick of the quarter finals saw ICC FC go head-to-head against crowd favourites, Railways FC. Railways FC dominated the opening stanza of the game, scoring twice to hold a lead into the break.
However, in the second half ICC FC came out blazing with a massive wave of attacks on the Railways goalkeeper. A shell-shocked Railways defensive made multiple errors and ICC FC took full advantage causing the upset of the tournament to proceed into the semi-finals to meet Maidstone FC.
Belchester took on Westend Utd in the first semi-final of the day. Belchester scored early and dominated play, however Westend maintained their shape and played a tight defensive line catching Belchester on the counter attacks, scoring two unanswered goals.
Belchester pushed hard in second half forcing Westend Utd goalkeeper, Biyendra Naidoo, into some excellent saves. Maintaining possession, Belchester finally broke down a stubborn Westend defence before scoring three times to move into the finals.
In the last semi-final, an experienced Maidstone FC overpowered ICC FC marched into the finals where they faced Belchester on Sunday, 24 July, in a jaw dropping match. The rivalry between Belchester and Maidstone goes beyond decades and fans were certainly in for an epic final.
Belchester starter stronger with two early chances ruled out by the referee for incitement of foul play, however they managed to break the deadlock midway in the half. Maidstone continued to apply enormous pressure on the Belchester defensive line in search of a goal, and they were rewarded levelling the score in a matter of minutes. The match was evenly poised as they entered the second half, both teams creating several opportunities, with that Belchester finally took the lead.
Maidstone looked fatigued and Belchester capitalised to make the score 3–1. However, it was still anyone’s game, Maidstone pulled one back bringing the score to 3-2 and setting up a grand last five minutes. Both goalkeepers where forced into a number of late saves to keep the finals alive, however Belchester marksmen, Wiseman Cele, put the final nail in the coffin with two minutes to go.
Cele was crowned player of the tournament. Convener for the Over-35 Tournament, Eddy Khan praised the caliber of players in the Tongaat Over-35 structure. He said: “With the inclusion of these players the standard of football has certainly improved. Involving these caliber of players forces all teams to improve their own game. The first half of the league has been a tremendous success.”
Tovey Ramnarain, chairperson of Futsal Tongaat, said Tongaat Legends FC will be hosting the Indoor Futsal Tournament on Saturday , 30 July, at the Tongaat Sports Centre. The categories are: over-45, under-45 and a female open division.
For more information please contact Tovey Ramnarain on 084 657 0214 or Reuben Pillay on 073 687 7961.
