Skillz that Killz capture $20,000 7s Cup First Prize

Trinidad and Tobago football team Skillz that Killz of Fyzabad captured the inaugural T&T Football 7s Challenge Cup with a 3-2 victory over Paradise FC in the grand final at the Ato Boldon Stadium last weekend.

With the victory, Skillz, managed by Kersh Rambachan took away the handsome first prize of $20,000 in cash while Paradise FC received $5,000 and Mudd FC , the team of former national forwards Stern John and Gary Glasgow, came in third to take home the $2,000 prize.  Photo Gallery

The tournament was hosted by the T&T Football 7 Academy and comprised of eight teams over the two days of matches at the Ato Boldon Stadium. Teams and players came from areas such as Fyzabad, Siparia, Carenage, Morvant/Laventille, Point Fortin, Sangre Grande, La Brea,  Gasparillo, Barrackpore, La Horquetta, Valencia, Arima, Trincity/Arouca, and Chaguanas. The teams included Transformers FC of Arima, High Quality of  La Horquetta, Paradise FC, Real Unity, Skillz that Killz, Showtime FC, Valencia Lions and Mudd FC.

The supporting partners were Miscellaneous Limited, Crystal Waters, T&T Football 7 Academy and Rachel’s Fashions Accessories

National Under 23 winger Kishun Seecharan was the tournament’s top scorer with eleven goals while Central FC and Under 23 midfielder Nathaniel Garcia was adjudged the “Most Valuable Player” for his outstanding play throughout the tournament. The top three teams all received their cash prizes immediately following the final from Football 7s Academy founder Sham Mohammed with Stern John presenting the winning trophy.

Some of the notable names that played in the tournament were National Futsal and Defence Force player Jerwyn Balthazar of Paradise FC, National Beach Football team duo Kevon “Showtime” Woodley and Chad Apoo, former national senior team midfielder Hayden Tinto, Noel Williams, Anthony Parris, Lorne Joseph, former national under 17 forward Stephan Campbell, Under 23 midfielder Jayson Joseph, T&T senior team defender Curtis Gonzalves, Weslie John, Nigel Daniel, ex-under 20 forward Shackiel Henry and Skillz that Killz forward Juma Clarance who scored for T&T in their 2-1 loss to Italy at the 2009 FIFA Under 20 Men’s World Cup in Egypt.

Skillz that Killz and former T&T Under 20 forward Shackiel Henry goes to goal during the final vs Paradise FC. Photo/Allan Crane

Garcia netted the winning goal in extra time to lead Skillz to a 3-2 win over Showtime FC in the semi-final. Weslie John and Jayson Joseph were the scorers for Skillz in the 30 minutes of regulation time while Woodley and Clark had netted for Showtime.  Garcia again came big in the final with the opening goal while Henry netted the winner in the closing minute of the Final with a shot that deflected off teammate Bevon Bass. Lenford Martin was the other scorer for Skillz with Gonzalves and Balthazar netting for Paradide in the hotly contested final.

The tournament was officiated by current and former FIFA referees headed by Richard Piper and was observed by Senior team head coach Stephen Hart. The Semi Finals and Final were also shown live in Wi Sports TV.

The next Football 7s tournament in Trinidad is expected to take place in August on a date to be confirmed.

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Members of Paradise FC celebrate one of their goals during the T&T Football 7s Cup. Photo/Allan Crane

T&T Football 7s official Sham Mohammed presents the winning Cheque to Skillz that Killz