Milo Schools Football tournament…
By Jemima Holmes
With $500,000 as first prize on the line, competition is sure to intensify today when the Milo Schools’ Football tournament continues at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.
After more than two months of competition, four teams have come close to attaining the lucrative prize, but each is still far away from the accolade. For those teams, today can be considered the Day of Judgment, as each looks to overthrow its opponents in hopes of entering next Sunday’s final.
Today’s double-header will feature three teams which have been at the forefront of Under-18 football for the past year, while the fourth team has assumed an attitude of the underdog entering the big league – anything can be expected.
In the first game, Annandale Secondary will take on longtime rivals Christianburg-Wismar Secondary in what will surely be a no-holds-barred exciting game. The two teams have met countless times in the past, but their last two encounters went the Linden way, which leaves room for Annandale to make a comeback.
In the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers tournament in 2018 Christianburg-Wismar toppled their rivals 5-1. However, Annandale showed vast improvement against the fast-paced Christianburg-Wismar team in the 2018 KFC Goodwill tournament, being able to hold their Linden opponents to a 2-2 deadlock at the half, even though they unfortunately could not complete the upset when they went to penalties, going down 5-3.
Today’s semifinal game gives Annandale Secondary the best opportunity to show that they have bettered their skills since confronting their opponents months ago. While having to match the swift pace of the Linden team, Annandale will look to strengthen their defenses, especially against the likes of Andre Mayers and Tyrese Lewis. On the other hand, the likes of Omari Glasgow and Jemar Harrigon will be keenly hunting the Christianburg/ Wismar goal.
Before the 2019 edition of the Milo Schools Football tournament, some would have said the second semifinal match would be a lop-sided affair pitting President’s College and Lodge Secondary against each other. However, over the course of the past two months, President’s College have proven that they are worthy opponents and are able to go toe-to-toe with one of the most consistent Under-18 school teams.
All while exhibiting their potential, President’s College got by in the group stages, and flourished once they entered the round of 16s; winning each game thereafter to get to the stage they’re at. Despite their ability to register wins in crucial games, today’s second semifinal would be deja-vu to both teams, since they have met before.
Being drawn in the same group, President’s College and Lodge Secondary met in their final group match, which was won by Lodge by a 2-0 margin. If they have learnt from their mistakes, PC would tighten their defenses, especially around the likes of Dorwin George and Shemroy Myers. On the flip side, Lodge’s goalkeeper would do a fair amount of leaping in the nets if he is to keep up with the header attempts that are often used by the President’s College captain, Edron Stephen.
Whichever way the pendulum swings this afternoon, it would result in two new teams being in next week’s final, and new champions being crowned. The first encounter will kick off at 14:00hrs, while the second is billed for 16:00hrs.
The school finishing in first place will receive $500,000, while second place will pocket $300,000. Third and fourth place winners will receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. All prizes will be given in kind, in the form of a project requested by the school.
