Annandale out, as KFC Goodwill football turns three-way battle

Annai Secondary School boys have given themselves a chance of winning the inaugural KFC Goodwill Football tournament after brushing aside favourites Christianburg Wismar Secondary at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

It is a battle that precedes this tournament- the battle of the interior schools against the Linden lads. It is usually the blockbuster clash of a national school tournament and this time it was no different.

Annai would have been reeling from a hurtful 0-2 defeat from their Trinidadian counterparts, while the Lindeners were on a high after edging Annandale Secondary on penalty kicks.

But at the end of the night, the tables were turned in an absorbing clash. The usual flair by the Region Nine unit was present but this time, they had the finishing touch.

Captain Orville Daniels opened the scores in the fifth minute and seven minutes after Niazz Mohamed had his first of two. There was more pain in the first half for the Region 10 unit as Mohamed blasted the back of the net again in the 35th.

More opportunities arose in the second stanza, but resolute defending, something that was lacking in the first half, meant the score line did not change.

Daniels, a national youth player told News Room Sport, his side is pleased with the performance and now wants to go on to win the tournament.

In the other match, Trinidadian school, Shiva Boys’ Hindu College were unable to keep a clean sheet in the 2-1 victory of Annandale Secondary. Adika Dash was the first on the score sheet in the 17th. The enthralling first stanza continued but no more goals were found.

Omari Glasgow brought it level for the home side 10 minutes after resumption. As the match seemed destined for penalty kicks, Jason Bristol converted in the 86th.

The final day of the tournament is Saturday and with the exception of Annandale, the other three are still within a chance of taking first place honours.