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Big teams in Champions Cup showdown
November 22, 2024
FORMER CHAMPIONS Jamaica College (JC) will be among the teams in action today when the 10th staging of the ISSA Champions Cup competition's quarter-final round kicks off at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, St James.
In a doubleheader, Ocho Rios High will face first-time qualifiers St Catherine High at 4 p.m., before JC tackle second-time qualifiers McGrath High School at 6:15 p.m.
Ocho Rios' latest quest for silverware comes after booking their first daCosta Cup semi-final appearance, this season, and as the only team to have done so from St Ann, after winning Group B in the quarter-finals.
Veron Peterkin, coach of Ocho Rios High, said they are looking to maintain their momentum.
"We have been preparing ever since preseason so this is why we are in the semi-finals of the daCosta Cup. We have to just continue with the momentum when we play a tough cookie like St Catherine. We played them a couple times in preseason and they are a good and well-coached team," Peterkin said.
"Our plan is simple, we need to win. Players become overzealous or a bit nervous, so we have a system in place that will help to keep them focused on what is important," he added.
Like Ocho Rios, St Catherine have created some history of their own as first-time qualifiers.
Anthony Patrick, coach of St Catherine High, said they are prepared.
"It is nothing new for them being on this stage. We are just going out there to play and give our best and I am hopeful our best will be good enough," he said.
"Preparations are going great so far. If you look at us this season, we are one of the teams that conceded the least number of goals. We have been playing well and lost only one game, so it speaks volumes on how preparations are going. The boys are in tune, inclined and ready for the task at hand," Patrick said.
Just like Tivoli Gardens last Friday, Jamaica College (JC) want to give McGrath a taste of what the 'Blues' have to offer.
After destroying Tivoli Gardens 4-0 in the quarter-final round to punch their ticket to the semi-finals of the Manning Cup, JC are vying for a second Champions Cup title. They finished first in Group A with eight points.
JC are the overwhelming favourites to win, but the sneaky McGrath team will look to upset.
McGrath squeezed their way into the daCosta Cup semi-finals by goal difference over St Elizabeth Technical High, with a 4-0 whipping to Frome Technical High on Saturday.
Jermaine Thomas, head coach of McGrath High, said despite winning less titles, he does not consider his team an underdog.
"We are the lesser of the two teams when it comes down to winning less trophies and dominance. Today, I just want them to enjoy themselves and be responsible. What we don't want to do is create pressure and make the situation worse than it actually is. We know the JC unit is a very good unit but as long as we remain focused, shape is going to be key for us," Thomas said.
In Saturday's doubleheader, a testy matchup looms with high-flying defending champions Glenmuir High tackling the boys from North Street, Kingston College, at 6:15 p.m., after Hydel High and Garvey Maceo face off at 4 p.m.
