‘Naps’ are south Intercol Champs

It was Naparima College’s defence however that proved to be impregnable as the "Big 5" title holders added "Zonal Intercol champs" to their resume with a 2-0 defeat of Vesigny Government.

The win earned "Naps" their third title of the season, extended their unbeaten streak to 17 games and provided them with all the necessary momentum entering the National Intercol quarter-finals.

Vessigny started off well as they looked the more physical and aggressive team early on. They dominated the first 15 minutes of the game and created at least three close chances.

Naparima managed to weather the early storm and settled into their attack. They should have gone ahead in the 33rd minute but for the heroics of Vessigny custodian who saved two point blank attempts by Adisa Connell and Dinaka Jamdir on the same play.

In the second half Naparima’s offence improved immensely but they were still frustrated by the Vessigny physical defence. None more so than Javed Mohammed who continuously retaliated against some close marking on Vessigny’s part. Eventually his antics earned himself a yellow card and a seat on the bench for their next match.

In the 68th minute, "Naps" finally got their reward. Cion Samuel given space on the left side floated a beauty of a cross over the defence that found the head of Connell at the far post to put the boys from Independence Avenue ahead and brought to an end Vessigny’s streak of five games without conceding a goal.

It would have been practical for Naparima to bolster their defence an try to hold on to their slim margin but the coaching staff had other plans.

Observing that Vessigny’s defenders were tiring, they replaced Samuel with the dimunitive forward Shahdon Winchester in an attempt to go for the kill.

The coaching staff’s gamble paid off as Winchester’s fresh legs inspired the Naparima attack and in the 87th minute they put the result beyond doubt when Mohammed ran through the centre of the Vessigny defence and drove a low right-footed bullet past Sherlon Swan.

All is not over for Vessigny as they are still alive for the National Intercol title but for the second time in as many years the "boys by d’ sea" have blown the chance to become South Intercol champs.

The Zonal Finals in the North and Central will be staged today, from 4.15 pm. At the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Fatima will be looking to dethrone Mucurapo, while Presentation will be putting their Central crown on the line when they oppose Carapichaima at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.