Hope International Masters place second in Barbados tourney

On Trac Hope Internal Masters were seconds away from possibly winning the Over- 40’s segment of the 2025 Barbados Invitational Masters Football Classic.

However, a last -minute goal scored by Empire gave them the home side the title last Monday, June, 9,2025 at the Barbados Football Association’s (BFA) Astroturf, and Hope had to settle for the runner up spot.

It was a painful end to the Hope Masters’ sojourn; they were previously unbeaten.

Their journey began on Friday, June 6,2025, with a hard fought 0-0 stalemate against Empire at the Dover Playing Field.

Another draw, this time 1-1 against Wildey Masters also at Dover kept Hope in the hunt. Caldrick Sutherland was Hope’s goal scorer.

Then on Saturday, June 7, Hope Masters turned it up, outplaying Christchurch, 4-0, with Kevin Samuel getting a brace, Nicholi Williams, one and an own goal accounting for their tally.

Advancing to the quarter- finals, Hope added another 4-0 win; this time the casualties were Mecca Stars. Played at the Kickstart Playing Field, Hope Masters’ goals were converted by Aiden Nurse – two, and one each from Kenson Stoddard and Kevin Samuel.

The semi-finals pitted Hope Masters versus Wildey Masters at the BFA Astroturf. In the end, it was the Vincentians who trumped 2-0. Sutherland and Nurse found the back of the net.

Disappointed in the loss in the final, Hope Masters’ spokesperson, Akin John thought the result did not truly represent the camaraderie and rekindling of bonds among the club’s players.

“In this the 30th anniversary of the club, we were able to bring together in one place, the first coach, a founding member and the first manager, as well as old players from Canada, the USA and St Kitts and Nevis for the Masters Classic”, John told SEARCHLIGHT.

Hope Masters placed third in the 2024 edition of the Barbados Invitational Masters.