Western Sports - Jamaica Brazil cop Gas Pro Masters League crown

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

It took them all of 120 minutes and eight penalties, but in the end, Jamaica Brazil walked away from Jarrett Park in Montego Bay in a blaze of glory on Sunday night following a dramatic 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Hanover Masters, which crowned them champions of the 2013 Gas Pro Western Masters League.

"We were determined that this title was not going to elude us because we definitely have the best team in the competition," said Jamaica Brazil's star midfielder, Phillip Wong.

"Our plan is to create a dynasty with this team, so we are looking at being champions for at least the next five years."

In what was an intriguing game marked by enterprising football from both teams, they battled to a 0-0 regulation and extra-time scoreline. Former nationals Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore and Norman Foster, of Jamaica Brazil and Mark 'Hagler' Wilson, Donald Hewitt and Durrent 'Tatty' Brown, of Hanover Masters were the outstanding players.

In regulation time play, Hanover Masters squandered two good, early chances as Everald Hines came face to face with goalkeeper Kenrick Picknight twice but failed to convert. Towards the end of the half, Jamaica Brazil just missed taking the lead when Nicholas Brown took a superb pass from Whitmore but fired inches wide.

The second half started quite contentiously, especially as the Jamaica Brazil players began to feel the heat from the stinging tackles from 'Hagler' Wilson. In that period, Whitmore came close to scoring with a glancing header.

Mid-way the half, Hanover Masters took control, with Dave Gilliard running powerfully at the Jamaica Brazil defence. He came close to scoring twice, but on each occasion, he was denied by the agility of goalkeeper Picknight, who was quite alert for the duration of the game.

GLORIOUS CHANCE WASTED

In extra-time play, the prolific Stanley Whittaker wasted a glorious chance to give Hanover Masters victory. However, after speeding in the penalty area, he hesitated, and under pressure, executed a wayward pass to Denton Vidal, who was swiftly dispossessed by an alert defender.

In the shoot-out, Hanover Masters got off to a poor star when Rodney Barr had his spot kick saved by Picknight. Jamaica Brazil then took charge as Norman Foster struck to give them the lead. Hanover Masters went on to register two further misses through Everald Hines and Everton Kerr, while Iton Scott and Leacroft Lettman converted to give Jamaica Brazil victory.

In the presentation ceremony, Jamaica Brazil were presented with the Gas Pro Trophy and the Steve Bucknor Trophy, which is symbolic of Masters football supremacy in western Jamaica. Individual members of the team were presented with gold medals.