MONROVIA, Montserrado – The inaugural Blue Cup hosted by Liberia first division club, Barrack Young Controller Football Club has come to an end with second division club, FC Bea Mountain, emerging as champions.
The Gold Boys won the tournament following a 1-0 win over Liberia first division and FA Cup champions, LISCR Football Club. Michael Smith was the hero of the day after scoring from a set-piece to sink the Shipping Boys.
Interestingly, neither the host Barrack Young Controller I nor their junior team, Barrack Young Controller II, were able to participate in the final after being eliminated in the first round and the semifinals, respectively.
The two teams sat in the positions of the spectators during the final as the Bomi-based club, FC Bea Mountain, took on Gardnersville-based LISCR Football Club. With LISCR FC scoring seven goals in two games and conceding only twice, they were tipped to win the competition ahead of Bea Mountain, which was able to score only three times on their way to the final.
At the end of the day, it was the underrated second division team that went against all odds to sink the Shipping Boys. The two teams played to a goalless draw in the first half before Bea Mountain returned in the second half to get the match winner. Michael Smith scored from a set-piece at the edge of the penalty area in the 80th minute to beat LISCR’s goalkeeper, Prince Wlame, in goal. Wlame tried handling Smith’s shot that was directed straight at him but unfortunately saw the ball slipping from his hands before reaching the net.
LISCR FC’s chief executive officer, Avi Zaidenberg, presenting the Blue Cup golden boots to Michael Smith. Photo courtesy of Anthony Kokoi.
Smith’s goal didn’t only win FC Bea Mountain the tournament; it also made him the tournament’s highest goal scorer as he walked away with the golden shoe award with four goals. He scored the only goal in round one to help Bea Mountain send Monrovia Club Breweries out of the tournament before scoring twice against Muscat Football Club in the semifinal to help his side to a 2-0 win.
Prior to the final, he was in contention with LISCR FC’s Mark Paye and Edward Ledlum, who had two goals each. The duo was unable to score in the final as Smith went on scoring the winning goal to increase his tally to four.
Featured photo courtesy of Anthony Kokoi
