Couva, Public, Wasa in Super League semis.
By Jovan Ravello (Guardian).[/size]
In an unusual coincidence, all three teams who advanced to the semifinals of the Sportworld National Super League on Friday emerged victors by 2-0 margins at different venues.
Nicholas Benjamin was the hero for hosts Couva Players United, scoring both goals-one in each half- by which his team beat Media 21 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. The goals came in the 20th and 65th minutes.
Joe Public, who beat Police 2-1 in the first round of the competition, got its goals in the 17 and 19 minutes of the match against Angostura 1976 F.C Phoenix, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Leandro Moncao and Wolry Wolfe were the scorers.
Wasa Clean and White’s first round bye appeared to have done wonders for the players who put in an inspired performance against Maraval Youth Academy on the Academy’s home ground, Trinity College ground, Moka.
Bernard Mc Call gave his team the lead in the 20th minute, and Darren Lewis scored in the 53rd minute for the St Joseph based team.
The competition continues on Tuesday, when the semifinals are scheduled to be contested, On Wednesday, the losers of the quarterfinal round do battle for the other Super League place in a national knockout competition in the first of two playoffs.
Five Super League teams- the four knockout semifinalists and the playoff teams -will advance to the National FA, a first in 2005. At Gilbert Park, California, Plipdeco Caroni takes on the Academy at 4pm, while Phoenix plays host to Media 21 at Canaan, Bon Accord.
WASA, Joe Public in Super League final.
Trinidad Express.
Despite a far less impressive season than last year when they swept both the league and knockout titles, Joe Public will defend their knockout crown when they take on WASA Clean & White in an all East derby to conclude the 2005 Sportworld National Super League knockout competition.
The finalists meet tomorrow from 7. 30 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The 'Water Boys' WASA , reached the final after shutting out Couva Players United. The match was tight for most of the first half and was goalless until the 55th minute when Billydee Scantlebury shot WASA into the lead. And despite Couva's effort to pull level, it was WASA who pushed further ahead in the 68th minute when Stephen Pierre's goal gave them a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Meanwhile, Joe Public scored in each half to register a similar 2-0 victory over Tobago's Stokely Vale. Former national midfielder and ex-Hibernian professional Lyndon "Chubby" Andrew shot the "Eastern Lions" ahead in the 16th minute, while striker Carlington Smith sealed the win in the 85th.
The Super League knockout competition has also served the purpose of selecting five teams to compete in the National FA Trophy competition. Semi-finalists WASA Clean & White, Joe Public, Stokely Vale and Couva Players United have all gotten automatic berths, while the fifth place will be determined by a playoff on Sunday.
Results
WASA Clean & White F.C. 2 (Billydee Scantlebury - 55th; Stephen Pierre - 68th) v Couva Players United 0.
Stokely Vale F.C. 0 v Joe Public F.C. 2 (Lyndon Andrews - 16th; Carlington Smith - 80th)
