Two hungry teams—the "Tigers" of St Anthony's College and Presentation College San Fernando—will fight over the second and last spot in the Coca Cola InterCol final today at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain from 4 p.m.
This encounter is a virtual final, given the form of the two teams,which makes this a mouth-watering fixture.
Unbeaten St Anthony's are having one of their best-ever seasons, with 17 wins in 17 matches for 2011, and they have only once been held scoreless over 90 minutes—in Monday's North Zone InterCol final, where they needed kicks from the penalty spot to see off East Mucurapo Secondary.
On the other hand, Presentation too have some serious momentum going, finishing off all their InterCol matches in regulation time, after they let the South Zone league title slip from their grasp.
The teams play a similar style—nice, attacking flair and good ball possession—and are not afraid to go for goal. Aside from their 2011 record, they differ only in depth and that is where the Westmoorings Tigers hold the advantage.
The St Anthony's bench is, on paper, almost as good as their starting XI. But against Presentation, a bad day could see their campaign ended at 17 wins.
Presentation College San Fernando
As a national youth coach, Presentation head coach Shawn Cooper has seen a number of St Anthony's players, from goalkeeper Jamaal Francois to striker Garvin Samaroo, so he knows first hand what they can do.
He has not seen St Anthony's play this year, but Cooper is expecting an intense battle for his team.
"I think Mr (Nigel) Grosvenor has put together a lethal weapon," Cooper told the Express on Wednesday.
Although he has respect for the opposition, Cooper is focussing on his team. They were not satisfied with a scratchy performance in their 1-0 quarter-final win over defending champions Signal Hill Secondary in Tobago on Tuesday, which is an added incentive for them to raise their game today.
He is expecting a "classic" contest.
"This will be a tough game for us.," Cooper acknowledged. "I think our players are up to the game because they know they are coming up against a good team that will not defend in bunches and will play a good game of football; it will be a classic game."
St Anthony's College
This is their 18th match of the season and coach Nigel Grosvenor is hoping for their 18th win. His team will not underestimate their opponents, says the man who has led St Anthony's for 28 years.
"Any team in a national semi-final is a good team. (Cooper) is a national coach. I respect him; he knows what he is about. They have Shakiel Henry who is the (league) top-scorer, his confidence is very high so we're not going to take them for granted."
The Tigers had a tough North InterCol final against Mucurapo, who defended stoutly, but his team will not change a strategy that has worked so well for them up to now.
"The opponents must respect (our 2011 record)," Grosvenor said. "We worked very hard for it, and I have to give the guys all the credit. I don't think (Presentation) will come in and not show us the respect. Our record (is one) to be proud of but 19 (wins and the InterCol title) would be better."
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