Gros Islet Capture Island Cup in Stunning Fashion

We the North! No I am not referring to the Toronto Raptors who used that slogan after winning the NBA title. In this case I am referring to Gros Islet in the north, who won yet another football title on Saturday evening at the Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort. In what has been perceived as one of the most entertaining and intriguing finals of the National Lotteries Authority-sponsored Saint Lucia Football Association Inc (SLFA) Island Cup, group leaders Gros Islet, who finished the game with 10 players, played a dramatic final 10 minutes of regulation football, stunning their opponents Vieux Fort South, to triumph and lift the coveted trophy. Their accomplishment was indeed remarkable and noteworthy, after recovering from a 2–0 deficit.

Both teams enjoyed mixed fortunes in the first half and were both guilty of squandering numerous scoring opportunities. However, after repeated chances, Antonio Joseph was able to slot one into the back of the net to send Vieux Fort South up 1–0 in the 17th minute of play. Despite the back and forth between both teams, the half ended with no further goals scored.

Following the resumption, both teams sought the ascendancy and, despite the odds, Joseph registered his brace in the 54th minute. However, when Vieux Fort South really thought they had this one sewn up, prolific goal scorer Eden Charles responded with two telling free kicks, to quash their celebrations in the 80th minute and pointedly in the second minute of added-on playing time, to even the score to 2-2.

Thus, within the jaws of ultimate defeat, Gros Islet clawed themselves back into championship mode and what a catalyst that proved to be; they went on to prevail 5-4 in the exciting penalty shootout.

For their efforts Gros Islet were crowned Champions of the 2019 National Lotteries Authority-sponsored SLFA Island Cup.

Unfortunately, defending Champions Marchand were a no-show in the third place play-off, giving Mabouya Valley a walk-over.

In retrospect, the tournament provided lots of thrills and entertainment. All the participating teams must be applauded for their sterling efforts.

Commenting on Gros Islet’s thrilling victory, Head Coach Francis McDonald said: “Football, I have seen, has been won in two to three minutes of the game. We had to keep playing and keep playing until the final whistle. The tempo and the urgency of my team, despite being one man down, we accelerated to look for the first goal. When we got the first goal we worked to get the second goal. Our goal was to get back into the battle.”

It was a hard-fought game and Francis tipped his hat to the Vieux Fort South team, saying: “All kudos to them for how they played in the first half.”

Vieux Fort South Coach Emmanuel Bellas was a gracious loser. He congratulated Gros Islet then said: “The result was unfortunate because nobody wants to lose a final. It was a good game, I do not think any of the teams came here with the intention to lose. I am satisfied that they put together a fighting effort, but towards the end it was just unfortunate that we did not get through to the finishing line.”