Seven teams, three spots

THE FINAL round of the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup football competition’s quarterfinals resume today with four matches that are set to decide just three semifinal spots.

With Group A’s Glenmuir High School already through to the semifinals, a further seven teams are in with a chance of grabbing one of those three semifinal places.

At Malvern, St Elizabeth, many-time champions Munro College’s hopes of breaking their 60-year daCosta Cup title drought are slipping away.

Group B’s Munro College find themselves in a must-win situation when they face Central High at Munro College. They also have to hope group leaders Garvey Maceo can hold true to their position against Ocho Rios.

Garvey Maceo are on four points, while Central are second on two, the same as Ocho Rios, who have two points.

Ocho Rios, on the other hand, are assured of a place in the semifinal should they win against Garvey Maceo, who are not out of the woods yet.

Garvey Maceo only need a draw.

Veron Peterkin, coach of Ocho Rios, said they are going into the game today super excited.

“We are feeling optimistic because it is a possibility that we will make it to the semifinals for the first time. It would be the first team ever in St Ann to do this. The ball is in our court, so there is no other chance but to just get the job done and win. We have no other option but winning, so we have no other choice but to put all our energy into that,” Peterkin said.

Central, of course, are also in a win-and-you’re in position.

In Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, the Omar ‘Rambo’ Wedderburn-coached St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) will host favourites to win it all, Glenmuir, in the feature match.

STETHS, who have all cylinders clicking at the right time, will need a draw to advance to the next round. However, a win will make them group leaders. They are second on four points after a commanding 3-1 victory to eliminate Frome Technical High School on Wednesday at the Llandilo Sports Complex in Westmoreland.

Frome, who will play in the quarterfinals of the Ben Francis Knockout, could be looking for some much-needed momentum. That could spell danger for McGrath who await them at Dinthill High School today.

McGrath are in a precarious position. The need to win to get to four points in Group A, and hope that STETHS lose against Glenmuir.

But McGrath are wounded after a 3-1 whipping at the hands of Glenmuir on Tuesday at the Glenmuir playing field, forcing them into a five-goal deficit they will need to make up even if STETHS, already on four points, lose.

All games begin at 3:00 p.m.

TODAY’S MATCHES

Munro College vs Central at Munro College

Ocho Rios vs Garvey Maceo at Drax Hall

STETHS vs Glenmuir at STETHS Sports Complex

McGrath vs Frome at Dinthill Technical

All games begin at 3:00 p.m.