2011 SSFL & InterCol Fixtures.

[Flex]

Tigers edge 'Compre' in shootout for North title.
By Kern De Freitas (Express).

NOT even a tense shoot-out from the penalty mark could stop St Anthony's College from adding the 2011 Coca Cola InterCol North Zone title to their trophy cupboard.

It was like watching a game of Russian roulette at the Hasely Crawford Stadium's western end after  a 0-0 regulation time scoreline, but Mucurapo blinked first and the "Tigers" edged home 5-4 to decide the battle of attrition that took place over 90 minutes.

Mucurapo's one fault was a miss by right winger Kevin Lewis, his placement allowing Jamaal Francois, the Tigers's  captain and goalie, to get his left hand to the ball.

Shaquielle Long, who came into the match to replace suspended left back Johnathan Cruickshank, buried the final kick and raced off in celebration, which ended with his team dousing coach Nigel Grosvenor with the contents of their Gatorade cooler.

For Mucurapo, who played with heart against unbeaten St Anthony's, it was little consolation that they held their rivals to their first shut-out over 90 minutes for the season, as the Tigers maintained their perfect record.

On Thursday they will play the winners of today's national quarter-final between defending champions Signal Hill of Tobago and South winners Presentation College at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet.

In truth, but for near misses on both ends and a trio of brilliant saves from valiant Mucurapo goalkeeper Dwayne Thomas, the match might not have needed that decisive contest.

It was not the best of first halves for either team, perhaps aided by the nerves of playing in a final and the outfield that only an hour before kick off had been soaking up rain, which flooded neighbouring parts of west Port of Spain.

Although the Tigers looked slightly better in their passing and ball control, Mucurapo made sure it was not a one-sided first half contest.

St Anthony's were able to find more goalmouth action, with strikers Adrian Millette and Darryl Trim missing out on at least three good looks at goal and left winger Keane McIvor trying his luck from distance.

At the other end of the pitch, Mucurapo, led by the hard-working Aaqil Campbell—who even came back to help defend—were unable to make use of a few lapses at the back from the Tigers. Other than that, they took aim at Francois's goal from distance.

The best chance before the half came from Millette in the 35th, but he hit the side-netting on his second try at the near post, despite having Mucurapo keeper Thomas scrambling to block the shot.

The second half was a notch above the first in intensity, but St Anthony's had the edge and a number of opportunities to open the scoring. Mucurapo looked dangerous until they reached the penalty area and their emphasis seemed to be on keeping the Tigers out, with Campbell the only player deep for much of the period.

Millette seemed to have left his scoring boots at school--he hit the near "vee" off a cross from Kiel Pierre out on the right wing and another before he was substituted in the 74th.

Trim too was guilty when he failed to pull the trigger in the 55th, while central defender Dwight Ceballo sent one over from close range.

Garvin Samaroo, the replacement striker for Millette, came on with 15 minutes  left and drew two brilliant saves out of Thomas, while also hitting the side netting in the 83rd.

Mucurapo's two shots from inside the penalty area both came from Campbell, but he needed better accuracy to beat Francois.

Not even four minutes of stoppage time could separate the teams, sending them directly to a spot-kick shootout.

And after edging their opponents from the penalty mark, the Westmoorings Tigers survive to fight another day.

[Flex]

Signal Hill, Pres play for spot in final four.
By Kern De Freitas (Express).

Presentation College San Fernando will travel to Tobago today to kick off the national InterCol action against Tobago Zone champions Signal Hill Secondary.

The South InterCol winners earned the right to play the defending InterCol champions with a 4-0 victory over South Zone league champs Shiva Boys Hindu College, while Signal Hill had to dig deep to overcome Scarborough Secondary 3-2, the team that dethroned them in the league competition.

Signal Hill last year were whipped in the Secondary Schools Football League "Big Five" by St Anthony's College before returning the favour in the InterCol competition, thumping the "Tigers" 3-1 in the semi-finals on their way to the InterCol title.

It is a performance they are hoping to emulate this year.

"Pres" meanwhile might well have been kicking themselves after wilting in the league competition when the South Zone title was theirs to win–or lose.

But this competition brings together two teams with significantly different styles, which makes it a very interesting affair.

Signal Hill, under the watchful gaze of former national coach Bertille St Clair, have the speed and transition to trouble any team on the counter-attack.

Opponents Presentation are best when they possess and pass the ball around, trying to create openings.

The winners will be the team who keep their collective focus longer.

Signal Hill

Manager Xavier King has seen his team grow through the season, evidenced by their victory over Scarborough, who dominated league proceedings between the teams. But after getting over that hurdle, Scarborough are brimming with confidence.

"We have been telling them they have to remember they are defending champions," said King, "and I think after that match on Thursday they gained a bit more confidence."

King revealed that Signal Hill, who have not yet seen today's opponents, will play their natural game and try to feel out their opponents before they pile on the pressure.

And as 2010 champions, there is added incentive for Signal Hill in this encounter.

"We are looking to make the finals even though we don't have the same team last year," said King. "But nobody expected us to reach the final last year, so hopefully we will be able to get back there."

Presentation College San Fernando

He has been there before with Naparima College, but Presentation coach Shawn Cooper is banking on his players to step up against Signal Hill.

Cooper has loads of respect for St Clair, who coincidentally coached Signal Hill when Cooper played in the Colleges Football League.

He is hoping his players can back him up.

Said Cooper: "Youngsters, they tend to waver a bit in the task at hand, but now they have settled down, they understand what we need for them. It's InterCol, not like the league, so you need a little more determination, a little more fight. It's a different ball game altogether."

He has not seen Signal Hill in action, but that will not stop Presentation from playing their usual style.

"It's the team that wants it most will get there," Cooper stated. "We have been trying to play proper, but now we need to put in a little more fight."

[NYtriniwhiteboy..]

Well Pres win 1-0...Hard luck Brownie!

[kaliman2006]

Well Pres win 1-0...Hard luck Brownie!

Pres football on the rise! Well done to the yutes (Make mih feel real old to say that)

[fari]

rahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Tallman]

Pres in InterCol finals
T&T Guardian

Presentation College San Fernando secured a berth into the Coca-Cola National InterCol semifinal following a 1–0 win over Signal Hill at an electric Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, yesterday.

Shackiel Henry’s 67th minute strike was enough to place the South team into the last four, after a credible performance in front of a much larger Signal Hill support. Chances were few and far between in the first half. It was 0–0 at the break, with Presentation having the slight edge in possession and chances.

The “home” team, Signal Hill, showed signs of nervousness, and found it difficult in either half, to string passes together for a promising attack. The Signal Hill players could barely find their feet, despite the calls from the crowd, urging the team on.

Presentation finally got the breakthrough when Henry, the team’s leading goal-scorer, collected a clever pass and dribbled past two defenders, before finishing clinically past Learie McKenzie in goal for Signal Hill. The goal put the defending InterCol champions, Signal Hill under immense pressure with just 20 minutes remaining. Despite trailing, Signal Hill was barely able to test the Presentation defence.

Presentation claimed second place in the South Zone behind Shiva Boys. “Pres” reached to the final following a 4–0 rout over Shiva. Henry was on target in that fixture also. Najja Forbes, J’van Pontislet and Angel Williams scored the other goals. Signal Hill came from a 2–1 deficit against Scarborough to win 3–2 in dramatic fashion. But, it was not their day, as the challengers from South proved too much.

The Tobago team can, however, boast of successive Tobago InterCol titles and a league win. The win put Presentation into the second semifinal against North InterCol champions St Anthony’s College.

The two teams will convene at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Wrightson Road from 4 pm on Friday. On Thursday, Arima North (East Zone) will take on Carapichaima East Secondary (Central Zone) in the first semifinal, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima from 4 pm. The final will take place next Tuesday.

Results (Monday)

North Zone Final

St Anthony’s 0 vs East Mucurapo 0
- St Anthony’s advance 5–3 on penalty kicks

Tuesday

InterCol Quarterfinal

Presentation College San Fernando 1 (Shackiel Henry 67th) vs Signal Hill 0

Fixtures (Tomorrow)
Arima North vs Carapichaima East, Larry Gomes Stadium- 4 pm
St Anthony’s vs Presentation S/Do, Hasely Crawford Stadium- 4 pm

National Final- Tuesday

[Brownsugar]

Well Pres win 1-0...Hard luck Brownie!

Pres football on the rise! Well done to the yutes (Make mih feel real old to say that)

     

*mumbles*  Congrats dey NYtriniwhiteboy.....

[Dumplingdinho]

Arima beat Caps 3-1.  The Pres/St Anthonys game should be a classic tomorrow.  from what i saw this season they are the 2 best teams.

[Flex]

Arima North moves in Intercol final.
T&T Guardian Reports.

Arima North Secondary made light work of Carapichaima East Secondary, with a 3-1 win in their Coca-Cola National InterCol semifinal match yesterday to move into the final.

The match was played at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, in front of a sizable support for the winning team. A commanding showing from Arima, particularly in the first half saw the East Zone InterCol and league champions take a 2-0 lead at the break. Within the third minute of play, Arima North went a goal up through a clinical solo Marcus Gomez finish. It was all Arima North from then on.

Tevin Figaro scored the second in the 12th minute, to give Arima North a comfortable lead which they held at the half time break. Both teams had their fair share of possession in the second half but Arima North always looked the more likely to advance.

“Caps” attempted to spark a comeback, and found a response, allbeit from a spot kick in the 80th minute from Isaiah Tidd. Moments of pressure from Carapichaima ensued but it was all over when its custodian Joseph Craig was adjudged to have brought down Gomez in the box in added time. Stepping up to take the spot kick, Kwame Hazel made no mistake slotting home past a diving Craig.

Carapichaima were unable to spark another comeback. The win put Arima North into Tuesday’s 4 pm final at a venue to be announced. The second semifinal will kick off today when St Presentation College San Fernando will travel up North to take on St Anthony’s College at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Wrightson Road, from 4 pm.

[kaiser]

Tigers scrape through to final
By Kern De Freitas

Story Created: Nov 25, 2011 at 11:41 PM ECT

Story Updated: Nov 25, 2011 at 11:41 PM ECT

St Anthony's College kept their hopes of a national sweep alive when they edged Presentation College San Fernando 2-1 yesterday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium to charge into the 2011 Coca Cola InterCol final.

But the unbeaten "Tigers" were stretched hard by "Pres" before they saw off the South Zone champions with a Darryl Trim header in the final minute after steady pressure.

Before that, St Anthony's defender Savion Kirton cancelled out a beauty of a free kick from Pres's Shackiel Henry.

It was an entertaining first half that failed to separate two evenly-matched teams.

St Anthony's rang in the tactical changes, with strikers Trim and Garvin Samaroo on the bench, as well as playmaker Moriba Ballah.

They also had Keane McIvor move from left wing to centre midfield, in a bit more compact shape.

Presentation's notable absentee was striker J'van Pontiflet, who came in as a late substitute.

St Anthony's tactics seemed to have backfired on them as Pres dominated most of the early exchanges, before taking the lead in the 21st minute.

The Tigers conceded a free kick about 22 metres out, straight down the centre of the pitch, and Henry hit it expertly--low around the wall, with power and just beyond the reach of dimuntive St Anthony's goalkeeper Jamaal Francois's outstretched left hand.

The celebrations of the Presentation supporters and band, which rang loudly in the covered stands, were cut short eight minutes later when Raychard Allen swung in a right side corner and Kirton headed powerfully past Pres goalie Kelvin Henry.

A minute later, Henry had to be alert to collect a long ball with strikers Adrian Millette and Ajani Clarence closing in, the next best chance before a hard-fought first half ended with the teams locked at 1-1.

St Anthony's coach Nigel Grosvenor turned to his main strikers in the 50th, with a double substitution of Trim and Samaroo for Millette and Clarence.

Still Presentation threatened and, but for the intervention of Francois, should have gone ahead again. He had to take Henry's cross off the head of Anjel Williams in the 58th, before denying Williams again two minutes later, punching over a ball heading under the crossbar.

The match changed with the introduction of Ballah, who added that spark to the North team's transition from defence to attack.

Pres were left for the last 20 minutes holding off Samaroo and Trim and McIvor on the left, while Henry and Williams at the other end perhaps needed a bit more support when they did get the ball.

The match looked like it would be decided by a penalty shootout when Trim, who looked all at sea for his 40 minutes, rose and headed Allen's corner kick into goal from point-blank range to seal the match.

Five minutes of stoppage later and the Tigers were celebrating their first trip back to the national InterCol final since 2004, for a match against Arima North Secondary at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

[Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$]

TIGERS IN ALL YUH RASSHOLE ROARRRR!!! 

[kaiser]

TIGERS TRIUMPH
St Anthony's edge Carapichaima in SSFL Big Five final
By Roger Seepersad

Story Created: Nov 3, 2011 at 11:54 PM ECT

Story Updated: Nov 3, 2011 at 11:54 PM ECT

St Anthony's College were crowned new BGTT/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) "Big Five" champions after defeating Carapichaima 1-0 in an action-packed final at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva yesterday.

The Westmoorings "Tigers" took the lead in the seventh minute and kept the pressure on Carapichaima for most of the game to seal the result and secure their first SSFL national title since their InterCol win in 2004.

It was Darryl Trim's early goal after a steady build-up from midfield that eventually made the difference and handed the Tigers their first "Big Five" trophy since 2003.

He collected the ball in front of goal and buried his shot past a helpless Djevon Archibald between the posts for Carapichaima.

The "Tigers" controlled the momentum of the game from then, on forcing Carapichaima  to defend deep in their half, but even with periods of heavy pressure, St Anthony's could not double their lead.

Trim was again in the thick of things 25 minutes later, this time passing the ball to Garvin Samaroo in front of goal, but Samaroo's effort was too high, sailing over Archibald and deflecting out off the cross bar.

Two minutes later, Samaroo forced a diving save from Archibald, who had no choice but to parry the shot out for a corner, allowing his defence a few moments to catch their breath.

Five minutes later, it was Carapichaima who were on the prowl with Treverson Calliste  trying his luck, but his shot deflected out off a defender.

That was the start of a rare period of pressure from Carapichaima, with Denzel Gill collecting a rebound off his own free-kick just outside the St Anthony's penalty area, but the Tigers defended in numbers, eventually forcing him off he ball.

The Carapichaima skipper then had a go at goal seven minutes from the half, but it was directed straight to St Anthony's custodian Jammal Francois.

St Anthony's could have doubled their lead three minutes into the second half but Samaroo's header off a corner kick was wide of the mark.

Carapichaima custodian Archibald then had to make a series of saves to keep his team in the hunt, bravely tackling Samaroo inside the penalty area to clear the ball and then exiting his area to clear another dangerous ball.

Those saves spurred on his team as Gill tried his luck from distance, forcing Francois to parry over the bar with ten minutes of regulation time to go.

At the other end, Samaroo had another golden opportunity to put the game to bed with five minutes to go when he collected a short pass from Trim inside the penalty area with only the keeper to beat, but he just could not find the back of the net.

With four minutes of stoppage time, Carapichaima threw everything at the St Anthony's defence, but could not find a way through, the game ending moments after Francois, who was hardly tested during the game, pulled off a match-winning save in the dying seconds to deny Carapichaima, who were seeking their first Big Five title.

[Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$]

Kaiser nexx yuh go tell meh look out fuh de biggest invention "the wheel" commin soon

[kaiser]

Kaiser nexx yuh go tell meh look out fuh de biggest invention "the wheel" commin soon

lol  nah boy ah aint see no article on we big 5 victory so ah jus want to rub it in

[Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$]

Kaiser nexx yuh go tell meh look out fuh de biggest invention "the wheel" commin soon

lol  nah boy ah aint see no article on we big 5 victory so ah jus want to rub it in

Man rong here say St. Anthony's was de Jr. Sec of Colleges so dey eh go talk da talk lol.

[kaiser]

St Anthony's make history perfect season 19 games played 19 victories flawless   final score St Anthony's 3 vs Arima North 0   no other team has accomplished this feat so far

[ZANDOLIE]

st anthony's better be flawless...half the youth team on dat squad

congratulations on a perfect season.

we have a world cup to make in 2013.

[Flex]

Tigers add InterCol title to bag.
By Andrew Gioannetti (Guardian).

St Anthony’s College concluded an outstanding 2011 season with a 2-0 win over Arima North Secondary, which saw them lift the Coca-Cola National InterCol title at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday evening.

First half goals from Darryl Trim and Dwight Ceballo, along with an early second half finish from Ajani Clarence, saw the “Tigers” win their 19th consecutive match of the season and the National InterCol title for the fifth time in the school’s 42-year history.

The ‘Tigers’ also won the North InterCol and League titles as well as the Big Five crown. Despite both teams starting slowly, the intensity of the match increased.

St Anthony’s should have gone into the dressing room at half-time three goals up, while Arima North looked all but certain to record at least one goal in the first period. Arima’s defence looked solid for most of the first half with Rondell Elie and his conservative counterparts standing firm.

The team clad in royal blue, should have taken the lead in the 17th minute, when a simple cross from Keith Williams was dropped from the hands of St Anthony’s goalkeeper Jammal Francois. Tevin Figaro and other Arima attackers were lurking in the area, but the Tigers defence managed to clear the ball from danger. Two minutes later, St Anthony’s had their first clear sight of goal, when Raychard Allen swung in a corner to meet Adrian Millette, but he scuffed his attempt and saw it come off the woodwork.

St Anthony’s finally took the lead in the next attack. Collecting a loose ball from the edge of the penalty area, in the 20th minute, Trim took a snap shot, which was pushed wide by Arima “stopper” Joseph Craig. Trim followed the blocked shot to finish instinctively from a tight angle before Craig had time to recover. The opening goal saw the beginning of a quiet spell between the two teams.

This was before, St Anthony’s were awarded a corner in the 33rd minute, which was headed in from Ceballo. The team which won the semifinal match against Presentation College on two corners, reassured their dominance on set plays. The deep cross from Rayshard Allen found a waiting Ceballo who outjumped two of his markers to finish easily past Craig.

Arima’s best chance of the first half came from a counter attack in the 43rd minute. Marcus Gomez, who started on the bench but was introduced in the 15th minute, passed the ball into the path of a speeding Darius Rawlins. Rawlins made an excellent run into the box, and found himself in a one-on-one position with Francois, but missed the entire goal with a disappointing finish.

Just before the half time, St Anthony’s should have found the third goal through a tire-less Kean Mc Ivor. He also did everything right by beating the keeper and putting the ball onto his favoured left foot. But two meters away from the goal, Mc Ivor took a shot which found the side netting.

Despite the miss, St Anthony’s went into the half confident and returned the same. Not many clear-cut chances were presented for the majority of the second half, but St Anthony’s was in control. The team allowing the midfielders the majority off possession with subtle close range passes, allowed very little in the offensive for Arima.

With 79 minutes gone, St Anthony’s finally made it 3-0. Arima North fell asleep for the third goal as the simplest of tap-ins from Clarence, wrapped up the match for the ruthless “Tigers”. The match was clearly over, as Arima hung their heads for the remaining of the match.

The differences in the players on either end were evident. Arima impressed during the season, but the players stood little chance against a stronger and fitter St Anthony’s team. Few opportunities arose in the second half for either team. St Anthony’s may have made it 4-0, had the forwards played with more urgency, but the result was sealed.

Arima North failed to overturn the result of the 2003 InterCol final which saw St Anthony’s win 3-2. The sound of the final whistle was met with applause from the spectators in the half filled covered stands of the national stadium. The players then went on to lift the championship trophy.


Members of the victorious St Anthony’s College show off their trophies after winning 2011 Coca Cola interCol title yesterday. The ‘Tigers’ defeated Arima North 3-0 in the finals. Photo:ANTHONY HARRIS

[Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$]

Meh boys!!!!!!