Academy SC won the Cayman Islands Football Association FA Cup trophy, edging past Elite SC 7-6 after a penalty shootout in the finals on Sunday, 28 May at the Ed Bush Stadium.
“They stuck to the game plan and kept composure during a very competitive final,” Paul Byles, Academy men’s head coach told the Compass.
The match opened with all four goals being scored during the first 17 minutes. Elite’s Christopher Reeves scored in the third minute, with Academy’s Mason Duval netting an equaliser two minutes later.
Academy then took the lead in the 14th minute following a goal from Immanuel Duran, but Reeves would again find the back of the net in the 17th minute, which turned out to be the final goal of the match.
The game eventually went to penalties, where Academy prevailed in an intense shootout. It’s the first time Academy has hoisted the FA Cup, since 2018, when they coincidentally defeated Elite 1-0.
Duval, who contributed to his team winning the FA Cup on Sunday night, said he was honoured to share in what was a hard-fought win.
“Me getting that goal in that game was really good; helping the team fight for the win,” he told the Compass. “It was fun because we had a lot of our guys that were abroad come over to see the game. We had the fans and family in the stands, and our keeper… props to him for stepping up and saving those two penalties. That was massive.”
Byles noted that his squad featured many young players, saying it “was great to see”.
For the women FA Cup finals, Elite SC convincingly claimed an 8-1 victory over Academy SC.
Although the men’s premier season has ended, more football is coming up with the first division continuing into June along with the women’s league.
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