Shiva Boys crowned 2016 SSFL champions

Needing a win to seal their first Premier Division title, Shiva Boys won the match 3-1 after two goals in the final five minutes.

With one round left, Shiva Boys are now on 34 points and holds an unassailable lead in the standings.

Presentation San Fernando are on 29 points in second place, with 2015 champions Naparima in third place also on 29 points.

Pleasantville, a team battling to avoid relegation, shocked the Shiva Boys supporters as Shane Baldeo gave the home team the lead in the 24th minute. Shiva Boys did not take long to respond as Shaquille Williams found the equaliser in the 33rd minute to leave the match evenly poised at halftime.

The match seemed to be heading for a draw but Tyrell Baptiste found the winner in the 85th minute before Junior Asson sealed the title with an 89th minute strike.

Following the match Shiva Boys coach Hayden Ryan said the league title did not feel like a reality yet. “We win, but it has not soaked in yet because when you coaching you really have to take care of stuff. This game was not an easy game at all, this game they run us down to the board and we needed to pull out everything in order to win this game.” Ryan said Pleasantville fought hard as they don’t want to finish in the bottom three and get relegated.

“It was not a walkover, they challenge us, they come fighting because they fighting relegation too. We respond from behind and we did it again. Kudos to the guys.

He added, “It is not the first time in the tournament we went down and the guys responded positively and come back and win the match comfortably.” Ryan added that the reason for the success of the team is the respect they have for each other.

“One of the reasons (why we are successful) that I could say offhand is that we operate in love, in unity. We respect every single player. I introduce respect to every player, I don’t bawl at one player while allowing the next one off the hook.” Ryan is looking forward to the Intercol competition saying, “We working hard and obviously we looking forward to greater and better things.” The Shiva Boys coach said the school’s principal is planning a celebration for the team.

In other matches yesterday Presentation College trounced St Mary’s 9-1 to move from third to second place, while Naparima dropped from second to third after defeating East Mucurapo 1-0.

Elsewhere St Anthony’s edged San Juan North 3-2, Trinity defeated Fatima 1-0, St Benedict’s got past Signal Hill 1-0 and Fyzabad outlasted QRC 2-1.

The last round on Wednesday is expected to be exciting with many teams trying to avoid relegation.