Coaches confident ahead of NCIL final

Confidence is sky high ahead of tonight’s senior men’s final in the Hairoun Beer National Inter Community League Football competition at the Victoria Park, featuring the National Lotteries Authority Central Kingstown and Hairoun South Leeward.{{more}}

And, both teams’ head coaches are certain of winning.

Expressing near invincibility is Central Kingstown’s coach Carlton Dennie, who is not ruling out a wide margin of victory for his team.

“Going into the final, I feel very strongly about it … I can feel it and the kind of training put in, I (am) looking to beat South Leeward six or seven,” Dennie boasted to SEARCHLIGHT.

Dennie is basing his prediction on his team’s preparations and general lead up to the final.

“Each game, I write up a session plan and how I want the guys to play… I look at the other teams, I look at their strengths, their weaknesses, then ask the Father to give me the guidance and use me,” Dennie explained.

Similarly, South Leeward’s coach Alnif Williams is expecting his team to lift the trophy and the $10,000 cash prize.

“Right now, my confidence is real high and with the spirit of my players and expect a win, although we will be without our main striker Tevin Slater,” Williams projected.

Slater was given a straight red card for a challenge on East Kingstown’s goalkeeper Ossie Dennis in last Friday’s second semi-final.

But Williams considers the final as a “face-off,” as both teams have met twice in the competition, and each has come away with a triumph.

Williams said his team is now more settled than in the first phase of the competition, when according to him, “there were many challenges.”

South Leeward suffered three defeats in the first round of competition, but has smoothed out their path since. On the other hand, Central Kingstown has been the dominant team throughout the competition, winning all five matches in the preliminary round, including a 4-1 spanking of South Leeward.

During the second round, Central Kingstown suffered a solitary 1-2 defeat, and that was to South Leeward.

Central Kingstown moved closer to their first title when they ousted the three-time champions BOSVG Barrouallie, 2-1 in the quarter-final.

Then, facing the re-energized GECCU Calliaqua in the semis, Central Kingstown was held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, but replied with a five-nil rout in the second leg last Friday night.

Responsible for their triumph were Azhino Solomon and Deomaji Samuel, who both knocked in braces and second half substitute Donald Ferdinand the other.

South Leeward saw off Georgetown 1-0 in the quarter-finals and went on to beat East Kingstown 2-1 on aggregate in the two-way semis.

The first semi-finals ended 1-1, but South Leeward edged out their rivals 1-0 last Friday night, to set up a rematch with Central Kingstown.

The South Leeward and Central Kingstown clans will be looking to go all the way.

Prior to the men’s final, which is set for an 8 p.m. start, Central Kingstown will be looking to extend their hold on the Under-13 division, when they meet West Kingstown from 4 p.m.

Then, South Leeward’s Under-17 unit will square off with East Kingstown from 5 p.m. in that age category title match.

South Leeward beat GECCU Calliaqua 4-1, while East Kingstown pipped North Leeward 1-0 in the semi-finals played last Monday, thus setting the agenda for this afternoon’s showdown. (RT)