The
first final of the day would see Wentworth Arms
versus Sambal Jorra FC. These two teams would
need to summon one last burst of energy to ensure
they would be picking up winners and not runners-up
medals in the presentation.
Let's
look at the two teams records:
Wentworth
Arms (Eng)
Best
appearance to date: 2023 Lisbon Tournament Plate
Runners-up, 2024 Mallorca Fives Cup QF.
Record
today: Played 6, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 2.
Goal
difference today: 14-13 (+1)
Current
unbeaten run: 1 game.
Today's
top goalscorer: Liam O'Connel (10)
Clean
sheets: 1
Sambal
Jorra FC (Ned)
Best
appearance to date: Debut
Record
today: Played 7, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 3.
Goal
difference today: 20-21 (-1)
Current
unbeaten run: 3 games
Today's
top goalscorer: Merlijn van Duinen (6)
Clean
sheets: 0
Both
teams had endured challenging but impressive campaigns
to reach this point, with Wentworth Arms chasing
redemption after a Plate Final defeat in Lisbon.
Meanwhile, Sambal Jorra FC had grown into the
tournament with resilience and flair. With 33
goals scored between them on the day, goals were
all but guaranteed — and the final didn't disappoint.
The
opening stages were energetic and tense, with
both sides trading early punches. It was Brian
Akan, a standout performer throughout the tournament,
who broke the deadlock to give Sambal Jorra FC
the lead. However, there was little time for celebration
as Liam O'Connell responded swiftly to level the
scores. A sub-plot was the race for the top goalscorer
award – his goal took him to 11 just behind Jonathon
Collo (Bet365 aside) on 12 and Younes El Hassani
(FC Floriande) on 13. The English side began to
settle into a rhythm, and the first half ended
evenly poised at 1-1.
|