KFC School Football: Defending champions Chase through to semi-finals

Defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation have secured their place in the semi-finals of the KFC International School Football tournament, maintaining their unbeaten record despite a dramatic final group match against Jamaica’s Kingston College.

The semi-final line-up is now confirmed for Friday at the Ministry of Education Ground, with Chase set to face Suriname’s Nikiere Technical, while Trinidad’s St Benedict’s College will take on  Kingston College in a highly anticipated Caribbean clash.

The first semi-final is from 18:00h.

In the marquee match of the final group day, Chase’s Academic Foundation overcame a major setback to defeat Kingston College 3-2 at the Ministry of Education Ground on Wednesday.

The local side suffered a massive blow just 10 minutes into the contest when star striker Bryan Wharton was shown a straight red card.

Organisers have since confirmed that, under tournament regulations, Wharton will be suspended for Friday’s semi-final—a significant loss for the champions, given his prolific scoring record so far.

Kingston College initially capitalised on their numerical advantage, leading 2-0 through Shaquon Elliot (16’) and Riley Kevwaroo (57’).

However, Chase staged a remarkable second-half comeback. Nyron Barrow pulled one back in the 60th minute, before Mark Glasgow equalised ten minutes from time. The turnaround was completed in the 90th minute when Shaquan David found the net to ensure Chase finished top of Group A.

In Group B, St Benedict’s College maintained its flawless run with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brazil’s José Vieira de Sales Guerra State School.

A 76th-minute strike from Josiah Barrow proved the difference in a physical encounter that saw four yellow cards issued to the Trinidadian side.

Despite the narrow defeat, the Brazilian school missed out on the knockout stages as Suriname’s Nikiere Technical (STSN) secured their semi-final berth with a dominant 9-3 win over Annai Secondary.

Jizzreel Sedoc was the standout for the Surinamese side, netting a clinical hat-trick.

Elsewhere, West Ruimveldt Secondary ended their campaign with a 15-1 demolition of the Anglican Central Education Authority Select (ACEA) from the Bahamas.

Donnavan Welcome and Jeremiah Griffith were unstoppable, each scoring four goals in the rout.