"As it was in the beginning, so it is in the end."
It was a simple, but ultimately true declaration from Naparima College coach Shawn Cooper after his team lifted their record sixth National InterCol title, after a 2-0 victory over El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive handed them the 2007 schools football knockout title and made them the most successful school in the competition's history. Cooper was referring to the 2-0 win Naparima had recorded over El Dorado, not yesterday but in pre-season training.
Cooper also noted that the victory put "Naps" a "cut above the rest" in schools football, and it certainly did this season. It was their third title out of a possible four in 2007, with only the "Big Five" national league title eluding them.
This latest win may not have made up for losing the other title, but it certainly left a sweet taste in their mouths, and Cooper dedicated the title to his young two-year-old son, as well as Naps' fallen "soldier", striker Nigel Wright, both of whom celebrated their birthdays yesterday.
Wright, who turned 19, suffered a badly broken leg in the South Zone InterCol final, and had reparative surgery yesterday as well. Tomorrow's visit from the team should be extra special for Wright, who is looking at a minimum 18 months worth of recovery and rehabilitation time.
But yesterday's hero for Naps turned out to be Cion Samuel, who subdued the "Blue Thunder" three minutes into the second period with a beautiful and daring free kick 23 metres down the right touch line. Perhaps it was an attempted cross gone right-Samuel may argue differently-but the midfielder's effort swerved, dipped, and deflected high off the far post and into Hakeem Blake's net.
Dwayne Edwards capped off victory with a penalty kick in the 76th minute, and Naps were counting down the time until they could get their hands on the coveted trophy.
With a 0-0 score line after the first 45 minutes, however, neither team could claim an advantage, or even a psychological edge. El Dorado had a few more chances at goal than did their South rivals, but Naparima were at their defensive best, and goalkeeper Curtis Julien had relatively little to do.
Talisman Jamal Gay and company, though, did manage to cause the South Zone champs a few nervous moments, the tall striker missing a chance to poke the ball home from close range in the 19th minute, while seven minutes later, El Dorado midfielder Darren Prescott had Naps defender Brandon Neptune scrambling the ball off the line.
But the South giants waxed warm in the second half, taking the lead almost immediately after the resumption. Cion Samuel sparked wild celebrations by the largely pro-Naparima crowd, when his superb freekick down the right sideline rebounded in high off the El Do far post. It was, in effect a salute to number six.
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