Annai Secondary completed a dream run in the second KFC Goodwill Under-18 School Football tournament by clinching the title on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Runners-up in 2018, and now champions in 2019, the lads from Region Nine have reached the summit of their title endeavours and after another rousing diplay, this time in the final against Lodge Secondary, winning 2-0. The match defining goals came from the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Junior Rodrigues and Niai Mohammad.
Rodrigues scored in the 20th minute via a ripping curler, while Mohammad netted just two minutes later after he tapped in a loose ball from a header.
Not to say Lodge Secondary, who booted former champions, Trinidad’s Shiva Boys Hindu College in the semi-final, did not have their chances, but there were few or quickly thwarted by some steely defending or the acrobatics of goal keeper Leston Smith.
Smith was deemed the tournament best goal keeper, just conceding five times in four matches.
Annai’s captain, Ameir Robertson was overwhelmed at the title triumph, just as the multitude of supporters who came to witness the action. He thanked his team for battling hard and winning after the long hours of training.
It was not a fairytale night for the hinterland teams as Waramadong lost 1-3 to Shiva Boys in the third place playoff.
The prolific Adica Ash carried his tally to seven goals, the most in the tournament, when he netted in the 56th and 89th minutes. Teammate Steven Thomas had opened the scoring in the 15th, while Ovid Andrews continued to be on the score sheet for Waramadong with a goal in the 55th.
Annandale Secondary and Marian Academy were the team to participate in the tournament. According to the Petra Organisation, should more corporate partners come on board, the vision is to invite more overseas teams to attend.
