Defending national InterCol champion, Naparima will be going all out to retain its title today when it faces El Dorado East in the final of the Secondary Schools Football League’s Coca Cola Series at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, from 5 pm. Naparima, which was dethroned by Presentation in the league and the zonal intercol in the South Zone, will make a last attempt to claim its first title of the season against the Easterners. Naparima and El Dorado, runners-up in the zonal intercol as well as the league, advanced after getting past St Augustine and Presentation South, the winners of their respective semifianls.

Head coach of Naps, Dunston Williams said yesterday that his players are elated at being able to defend their crown. “This match is very important to us and we are going to do our best,” pointed out Williams. “This is our last chance to claim a piece of silverware this season and we are confident that we will be able to retain the crown. “History has shown that Naps has a love for winning the national intercol and this one will be no different.” While he was satisfied with his team’s 3-0 win in the semifinal against St Augustine, Williams said the team has to do a lot better today. “We have to improve on our ball possession, defend well as a team and most importantly score our opportunities.”

The former Naparima player said El Do should not be underestimated. “They have a good team, with a couple of good players. What I have noticed, however, is that the team tries to score first then look to lock up shop. If a team draws level with them, they then try to hold on so the match could be decided on penalty kicks.” El Do, on the other hand, will be on a high after ending Presentation’s run this season with a 7-6 win on penalty kicks. Realistically, The East Zone team will feel it has a chance to take the coveted title, since it stopped Presentation, which has dethroned Naps twice this season.

Coach Trevor Spicer feels that his team has a good chance at taking the 2009 title. “We have a very good defence and goalkeeper and we have not allowed anything much this season. We have a very good midfield and I feel the match will be decided in this part of the field, said Spicer. He said that with all the negative that has surrounded the school over the last two weeks has made this match even more important. “Winning this title will do the world of good, not just for the team, but the school in the whole. The players are aware of this and they will be playing with this in mind,” he said.