IT WAS LIKE Trini Carnival all over again.
The sounds of Kes’ Wotless and Machel Montana’s A Bottle of Rum blasted from the nearby speakers.
It was evident that the XVI Barbados International Masters Football Festival had been won by a Trinidadian team – again.
Trinidad seems to be the preferred choice of destination for the winner’s trophy as Upstars International defeated hometown boys Paradise Masters 3-0 on penalty kicks to cop the coveted title when the curtain came down on the event at the Wanderers ground yesterday.
They became the third consecutive Trinidadian team to win the competition after Saints and Unity took the titles in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
In an evenly contested final which saw both teams squander several opportunities, the scoreline remained goalless after the end of full and extra time.
And it was the efforts of Upstars’ goalkeeper and tournament MVP Michael Maurice that allowed the visitors to clinch the trophy.
After captain Hayden Ryan put his side in the lead with a well taken strike, Paradise’s Oneal Marshall blasted his shot over the top of the bars.
But Maurice made two fine saves to deny David Straughn and Andrew Pilgrim. And when Tristan King scored Upstars’ second attempt to make it 2-0, former national captain Clayton Morris calmly stepped up to seal the deal.
In an interview with NATIONSPORT after the victory, Ryan said his team’s performance was a testimony to their quality and self-belief.
“We have been through a lot. Before this tournament, our skipper’s mum died and he was unable to make the tour, and we also had some key players who were unable to come,” Ryan said.
“But we believed and trusted in God that we could go all the way, and we have.
“All the guys right now are elated and overjoyed, because this is our first time here in Barbados as a team, and we proved that through God anything is possible.”
Paradise’s captain Louis Croney admitted that his side was a bit downspirited after falling at the final hurdle, but said they felt proud to have made it so far.
“Last year we were eliminated at the quarter-finals stage, so I’m very proud of the guys.” he said.
“We lost our very first game, but then we bounced back to win the remaining games, so we can still hold our heads high.
“Most of the guys were tired coming into the finals, and I don’t want to make excuses but we just didn’t have the legs. But Upstars played a fantastic game, and I must give them credit for being the better team on the day.”
