Tunapuna Titans took to the penalty spot against FC Santa Rosa and won 3-2 after both teams were deadlocked on 2-2 after full time in the Under-13 semifinal of the National Youth League on Sunday.
The match took place at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, just before Santa Rosa and Club Sando played for a final spot in the U-15 division at the same venue.
Ronaldo Beckles opened the scoring in the 31st minute for the Titans before his effort was cancelled out in the following play by John Paul Rochford. Santa Rosa then took a surprise lead in the 41st miunute from Trey Hanley.
The Titans, however, came out strong in the second half and persisted until their second goal, the equaliser, was scored by Dirrel Bullen in the 58th minute. The two sides were unable to find another goal and were put to the penalty spot as the full time whistle blew.
Tunapuna Titans were able to find the back of the net on three occassions, missing twice, while Santa Rosa missed three to hand their opponents a berth in the final. The second semifinal, between Cap Off Youths and St Clair Coaching School of Tobago will take place this Saturday at the Marvin Lee Stadium at 2 pm for a place in the final against the Titans.
On Saturday, Harvard defeated Joe Public 3-2 at the Dibe Recreation Ground. Harvard led 2-1 at halftime with goals from Taurel Doughlin and Jabari Norton in the 22nd and 45th minutes respectively. Anfernee Stokes scored in the 28th minute to make it 1-1 at that point. Ronaldo Lewis scored on the hour mark to make it 3-1 for Harvard.
In the 62nd minute, Stokes got his second for Public but the team was unable to find another goal. After the Under-13 encounter on Sunday, Santa Rosa and Club Sando took to the field. Kadeem Ajim scored two first-half goals (18th and 25th) while Kishun Seecharan finalised the rout for Santa Rosa on the hour mark to give the side a 3-0 lift into the final. Moruga Football Club and Stokely Vale will play for the other Under-15 final spot on Saturday after the conclusion of the Under-13 fixture.
In the Under-17 division top place playoffs on Saturday, Group B Santa Rosa Keron Brooks scored the lone goal in the 73rd minute. On Sunday, Joe Public which placed second in Group B, defeated Harvard 4-2 on penalty kicks after both teams were held 1-1 after full time.
Ajene Imhotep opened late in the first half for Joe Public while Harvard responded in the 73rd with an effort by an in-form Jahbarry Imhotep. West Side Super Starzs and Tunapuna Titans were winners by default over Eagles United and Queen’s Park Cricket Club respectively. Mayaro Spurs and Cap Off Youths had their match postponed for this Sunday.