Naps reach semi-finals

A 78th minute strike by Cion Samuel combined with Leston Shade’s 5th straight clean sheet, were all Naparima required to get past Carapichaima 1-0 in their RBTT National Intercol quarter-final match-up at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium yesterday. They will now take their 18-game unbeaten streak into rhe semi-finals where they will meet Fatima in a North vs South showdown. Naps were not at full strength to begin yesterday’s encounter as they were without  the services of midfielder Javed Mohammed because of suspension and also Striker Adisa Connel who was unable to start because of an injured hamstring.

The absence of these two key players was evident in the first half as even though Naparima had most of the possession, their attack lacked creativity and purpose. The closest scoring chance of the half came from a Danakah Jimdar free-kick two minutes before the interval. However goalkeeper Ervin John thwarted the effort by tipping the deflected shot over bar to keep the game scoreless.

Carapichaima skipper Terrence Smith created a couple of chances as well in the first half, but both of his close range attempts went wide. The scond half saw the entry of Connel in 52nd minute and the forwards presence seemed to bolster the Naparima attack. They dominated the session moreso than they did in the first half and in the 68th minute Sherrick Hillaire’s lobbed pass found the head of Samuel for the winner. Carapichaima, outside their first half efforts of their captain never look like getting the ball into the net and the school which had had never been to a national international final will have to wait another year.