By Jacquey Bourne | November 18, 2024
Futsal fans were treated to an exhilarating evening on Saturday at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden, as Hard Knocks and YMCA secured their spots in the ExxonMobil Futsal Championship finals.
Both teams displayed exceptional skill and determination, setting the stage for an intense $1 million showdown on November 23.
In the first semifinal, YMCA dominated Spaniards with a commanding 6–2 victory.
By halftime, YMCA led 4–0, with standout performances from Jonah Simon and Kevin Gittens, who scored two goals each.
Jamal Bentick and Nicholas Gentle also contributed a goal apiece.
Spaniards managed to fight back in the second half, with Tyrese Lewis and Shaka Louis each scoring a goal, but it was not enough to overcome YMCA’s momentum.
The second semifinal delivered a spectacle, with Hard Knocks edging Money Bell 11–9 in what many described as the tournament’s most electrifying match.
The game was a relentless exchange of goals, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
By halftime, the score was tied at 5–5.
Hard Knocks’ Omar Brewley emerged as the star of the night with five goals, while Kendolph Lewis added three, and Clive Nobrega and Omar Williams contributed one goal each.
Money Bell put up a valiant effort, with Shane Luckie, Stephan Jupiter, Alleyne Halley, and Amaniki Buntin each scoring twice, and Romain Haynes adding a single goal.
Despite their spirited play, Money Bell fell just short of victory.
The third-place match will see Money Bell face Spaniards, with $200,000 and $100,000 on the line for the third and fourth-place teams, respectively.
The grand finale promises to be a thrilling contest between Hard Knocks and YMCA, as they battle for the top prize of $1 million.
The runner-up will receive $500,000.
Additionally, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be awarded a brand-new motorcycle, courtesy of Cevon’s Waste Management.