MONROVIA, Monterrado – The 2019 Liberia Football Association knockout competition commonly called the FA Cup has come to an end with first division sides LISCR Football Club and Earth Angel Football Club crowned as champions for the men’s and women’s leagues, respectively.
LISCR FC grabbed a 2-0 win over Barrack Young Controllers while the Earth Angels humiliated Blanco Football Club to earn a 5-0 win in the 2019 women’s FA Cup.
The FA Cup finals began with the women’s edition. Unlike 2018 final where Blanco proved to be too much for the Earth Angels following a 4-0 win, the Earth Angels dominated at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium to seek revenge for their 2018 defeat.
Earth Angels celebrates with their FA Cup trophy- Photo Courtesy of T. Kla Wesley Jr.
Kantie Sayee’s hattrick and a goal each from Angeline Kieh and Sansay Moulton thrashed a Blanco team that was unable to score a single goal despite the presence of their influential player, Agatha Nimene.
Champions Earth Angels celebrated with a giant trophy and a check of L$500,000 (US$2,591) while the defeated finalists Blanco received L$315,000 (US$1,632).
In the male category, LISCR Football Club won their fourth FA Cup title following a convincing 2-0 win over rivals Barrack Young Controllers Football Club. As expected, the match was fully dominated by LISCR FC, which proved to be too strong for the Barrack Young Controllers.
Having drawn their previous three games in failing to beat lower ranked teams FC Fassell and Small Town Football Club, Barrack Young Controllers went into the final as the underdogs to a LISCR FC team that had won two and drawn one of their previous three games. LISCR was also second on the first division table.
The Shipping Boys missed the opportunity of going to the break with a lead after missing three clear chances in the first half through Sam Jackson and Edward Ledlum. LISCR FC’s goalkeeper Tommy Songo had free time in goal in the first half with Barrack Young Controllers failing to get a shot on goal.
Coach Tapha Manneh’s LISCR FC continued their form in their second half and life got easy for them when Barrack Young Controllers’ Daniel Woto was awarded a straight red card for hitting Sam Jackson in the face off the ball.
Now with 10 players, Barrack Young Controllers struggled to contain LISCR FC, which kept mounting pressure until the 85th minute when Christopher Jackson scored with a diving header from Sam Jackson’s volley.
Christopher Jackson and Edward Ledlum celebrate after the 85th minute lead- Photo Courtesy of T. Kla Wesley Jr.
Jackson’s eighth goal in the FA Cup from four games gave LISCR FC the lead and the pressure fell on the Barrack Young Controllers, who had five minutes to restore their hopes of winning the FA Cup. The Go Blue Boys failed in all their attempts in leveling the score and it was LISCR FC that got a goal again. Curtis Koon scored to double LISCR FC lead in the stoppage time to seal the win.
LISCR FC won their fourth FA Cup title and was awarded a giant trophy with a check of L$650,000 (US$3,368) while the losing Barrack Young Controllers pocketed L$400,000 (US$2,072) for their second-place finish.
The FA Cup title was Gambian coach Tapha Manneh’s fourth title with LISCR FC since taking over in 2016. He won the league and FA Cup in his debut year before winning the 2018 LFA Super Cup.
As champions of the FA Cup, LISCR FC will represent Liberia in the preliminary round of the 2019-20 CAF Confederations Cup, which is expected to start in August.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
