walter.alibey@guardian.co.tt
Naparima College and Presentation College will clash for yet another time in the final of the South Zone of the Coca Cola InterCol on Monday.
The two fierce Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) rivals earned the right to contest the title that Naps currently holds, after respective victories over Pleasantville Secondary 1-0 and St Benedict’s College 3-0 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella yesterday.
The talented Isa Bramble got the lone strike for Naparima in the 28th minute in an under-par performance.
Speaking afterwards, Naparima manager Percy Samlalsingh said the poor performance may have been as a result of a few days off the players were given. However, he said they will be ready for the contest on Monday.
“We have several reasons why we will want to win that clash. Firstly, we have to defend our title, secondly, it’s a derby match and thirdly, it’s a final, because once you lose you are out,” Samlalsingh said.
The clash will be the fourth meeting between the teams this season, two of which ended in victory for Naparima on penalties, while the other ended in a goalless tie.
Presentation College coach Shawn Cooper meanwhile just wants his players to convert the chances that come their way.
Against St Benedict’s yesterday, Pres got a double from Dante Gilbert and another from Jaiye Sheppard in their winning effort.
But Cooper wants his players to don their goalscoring boots for the final encounter, saying in their other matches against Naps this season they always had the better of the exchanges but Naps scored their chances.
“We have dedicated our training sessions for that match to work on goal scoring. But in the end, however, it’s up to the players to compose themselves and use the proper technique to convert during matches,” Cooper said.
In Tobago meanwhile, Speyside High edged out Scarborough Secondary 3-2. The goal heroes for Speyside were Kyshawn Gray, Adriel George and Nicholas Sanchez.
