MONROVIA, Montserrado – The second round of the Liberia Football Association knockout competition known as the FA Cup has been completed with eight teams reaching the quarterfinals.
First division clubs LISCR FC, BYC FC, Keitrace FC, LPRC Oilers, and Monrovia Club Breweries moved to quarterfinals along with Samira FC, Mighty Barolle, and Heaven Eleven of the second division.
The second round of FA Cup began with champions Barrack Young Controllers and second division club Tony FC at the Unification Town Sports Pitch. Tony FC took a surprise lead which they defended until the end of the first half as Barrack Young Controllers went to the break down with a goal.
However, the FA Cup champions returned stronger and got the equalizer through their new signee, striker Mohammed Varney. The match remained a goal apiece until the end and the winner was decided from the penalty spot. Barrack Young Controllers advanced after a 4-2 win from the spot.
In the first match at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium, LPRC Oilers FC cruised to the quarterfinals following a 2-1 win over Margibi based third division team, Jabu FC. Jabu defeated first division league leaders Watanga in the first round and was on the verge of causing another shock when they took the lead against LPRC Oilers FC. LPRC ensured they avoided a repeat of Jabu eliminating a first division team by scoring two goals to grab a 2-1 win.
In the day’s second match at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium, Monrovia Club Breweries got a narrow 1-o win over Jubilee FC. Robert Taylor scored the only goal to qualify the Beer Boys for the quarterfinals.
LISCR Football Club got the biggest win second round with a 5-1 win over third division club, Sandi FC, at the Nancy Doe Stadium in Kakata, Margibi. Christopher Jackson scored all the five goals to help the Shipping Boys advance to the quarterfinals. The third division side took a shocking lead four minutes into the match through Joseph Wilson but saw their score leveled six minutes later. Jackson scored additional two goals in the 14th and 17th minute to end the first half with a hattrick.
LISCR FC led 3-1 at the break and returned in the second half and scored twice in the 60th and 82nd minutes to complete their 5-1 thrashing.
Giant Killers Keitrace FC put behind them their poor form in the league to beat Nimba FC at 2-1 at the Ganta Sports Stadium to reach the FA Cup’s last eight.
Mighty Barrolle’s poor form may have taken them down to the second division but they are making sure they keep their names among the top clubs with their performances in the FA Cup. They beat fellow second division club Freeport FC 2-0 at the Doris Williams Stadium in Buchanan, Grand Bassa.
Samira FC completed the list of quarterfinals teams with a 1-0 win over Mighty Blue Angel in the second game at the Unification Town Sports Pitch.
The quarterfinals pairings have been made with all games to be played on Monday, April 8. LISCR FC plays Monrovia Club Breweries at the Nancy Doe Stadium at 4:00 p.m. while Barrack Young Controllers will continue their title defense against Samira FC at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium at 4:00 p.m. Keitrcae FC will lock horns with the Nimba-based second division club Heaven Eleven Football Club at the Ganta Sports Stadium and the LPRC Oilers will play Mighty Barrolle Football Club at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium at 2:00 p.m.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
