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Blu Magic survived a red card, an own goal and a second half meltdown to hold on for a thrilling 3-2 win over Gremio FC to claim the $40,000 first prize in the final of the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond Football League on Saturday.

It was a finish no one saw coming at a packed Fishing Pond Recreation Ground with Blu Magic putting on a first half spectacle with three unanswered goals including a well-worked opener from MVP Joel Hoyte. Italo Abosi and Kareem Lewis were on target as well as Gremio who looked spellbound by Blu Magic’s enterprising play and vociferous supporters. 

Gremio, the surprise package in the tournament, could not play any worse than in the first 45 minutes and looked more a threat in the second period. 

Still, a resilient Blu Magic defence and the outstanding Jason Ramnath in goal kept them at bay until Andell George’s dismissal for a second bookable offence provided Gremio a lifeline. 

It was just the break an uninspired Gremio needed and they still needed a touch of fortune to kick them into gear. A Gremio corner on the right saw a cluster of bodies attack the ball which flew into the net inadvertently off the head of Hoyte. 

Gremio smelled blood and reduced the deficit even further courtesy a brilliant goal by Dwaine Ovid who rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle from a through ball. 

And with the Blu Magic backline beginning to crack completely with about five minutes to go, Chad Charles almost made it 3-3 with a bullet header off a corner that flew just wide of the right upright. 

It was not to be though as the referee blew the final whistle, sparking wild celebrations by the Blu Magic supporters who mobbed the field to congratulate their players. 

But while there were scenes of euphoria on the field, dejected Gremio players fell to the muddy ground in agony while their keeper Stephon Alvarez, who was later named Best Goalkeeper, had to be consoled as tears streamed down his face uncontrollably. 

Earlier, Alvarez could do nothing but shout at his defenders who were made a mockery of in the first half. Hoyte broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, playing a series of one-two passes with Lewis to unlock the defence before being slipped through on goal and tucking the ball to the left of the diving goalie. 

Abosi soon doubled the lead, showing more intent to win an aerial battle with last defender Rickel Dixon and with time and space, rifled the ball into the roof of the net. 

Gremio were a non-factor offensively and Rick Henry tried to spark them into action with a surging run down the left but his left-footer was skewed wide. 

Blu Magic were making all chances count though and Lewis soon made it 3-0 after he collected a piercing pass right down the middle and poked the ball past Alvarez.

Hoyte was having his way with the Gremio defenders and even a slight error from him almost resulted in a goal. The left-footer, roaming to the right flank, flicked the ball over his marker’s head and his miscued shot fell to Averle Edwards at the far post, whose close range attempt was repelled by the goalkeeper. 

Gremio, with the game drifting away from them, found some rhythm towards the end of the first half but shots from Kendon Sutton and Ovid were brilliantly stopped by Ramnath. 

The Coalmine-based Gremio came out hungry for goals in the second half but found Ramnath unbeatable with another excellent save from pointblank range. Just while heads were beginning to drop, George picked up his second yellow card to swing the momentum albeit in vain. 

Gremio collected $8,000 for second place while Coca All-Stars earned $5,000 for beating G Madrid ($4,000) 1-0 in the third/fourth play-off. 

Organiser Prakash Ramkissoon, at the closing ceremony, thanked Minister of Sport Dr Rupert Griffith for his attendance and continued support. Peter Park, CEO, Caribbean Welders, praised the teams for their level of football throughout the season and has promised to increase the prize to $50,000 next year. Other league sponsors include Ma Pau, Benji Bakery and Edward Marks.

Honour Roll 

MVP - Joel Hoyte 

Best Goalkeeper - Alvarez 

Most Goals - Dorean “Bunny” Robinson 

Most Disciplined Team - Gremio FC 

Best Defender - Larry Cudjoe 

Best Goal - Shawn Samuel 

First Hat-trick - Andell Allsop