Defending champions Carenage Boys Government Primary School came from behind to snatch an exciting 2-1 semifinal victory over a fighting La Horquetta North Government to book a place in the final of the Boys Division of the 2008 Atlantic LNG National Primary Schools Football League.
Carenage clawed their way back into the match with a goal from Kathon St Hillaire and clinched victory three minutes from the end with a strike by Micah Lansiquot. MVP of the match was Aaqil Campbell.
After the match, teacher/coach Harold Telesford said his boys had to fight hard for their semifinal victory, adding that the tough match would serve them well in the final when they face Arima Boys RC at the Hasely Crawford Stadium tomorrow.
Arima registered a comfortable 2-0 victory over a game San Fernando Boys RC, with Renaldo Francois and substitute Hakeem Lee scoring in the second half. After a relatively even first half, Arima stepped up the pressure on the resumption, converting two of several good chances. San Fernando’s goalkeeper Nicholye Christopher was named PVP after pulling several brilliant saves.
New champions will be crowned in the Girls Division as title holders Patna River Estate Government were knocked out on sudden death penalty kicks in a disappointing semifinal encounter with Carapichaima RC.
Carapichaima’s star striker Zoe Swift, who was denied a decent shot at goal for the entire match, was her team’s saviour when she switched positions minutes from the end of the game to take on the goalkeeper’s role. After scoring her penalty kick, she just got her fingers to the ball to save for Carapichaima, sending them to their second final in three years.
In the other semifinal in the Girls Division, Palo Seco Government also squeezed through on penalty kicks after missing a couple clear-cut chances against fellow southerners, Egypt Village Government. For Palo Seco, it was their second straight victory on penalty kicks.
Both finals in the Boys and Girls Divisions will be played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, tomorrow, beginning at 10 am.