Naparima College overcame an ordinary first half to run past Shiva Boys Hindu College 2-0 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium yesterday and secure the Coca Cola South InterCol title.
Daquielle Matthews and Adan Noel scored a goal each in different halves to ensure Naparima live another day to battle the winner of Central Zone.
Naparima controlled the first half from the opening minute, with Neil Benjamin whipping in a cross in just the second minute his captain Anthony Parris missed by a toe.
Shiva themselves, when they got the chance to attack, were not afraid to have a go. Jamal John took aim at Keinol Paul's goal with a long range free kick, which was not far wide, while Judah Peters stung Paul's palms with another set play.
Nathaniel Garcia had another effort from far out, and Kieron Moses, the tricky right winger, chose a back flick from 12 metres that, had it come off, could have been a very impressive opening goal.
But Naparima always looked the more likely scorers, and at crucial times, they managed to find the net.
Benjamin could have put Naps ahead but he was denied late by Aswad Lake. But there was no denying Matthews, as he cooled a period of Shiva pressure with his 39th minute goal.
Naps were awarded a free kick 25 metres out, and Adan Noel lifted the ball diagonally for Matthews to nod in.
Shiva ended the first half in search of the leveller, and although Moses showed enterprise in beating three players, he was guilty of over-dribbling and lost his opportunity.
Shiva probed for the equaliser after the resumption, Andrew Samuel heading wide from close range, and then testing Paul from distance.
While Naparima's defending improved from the first period, Shiva's shooting did not.
The match should have turned when Naparima were reduced to ten men, Shaquille Stewart being sent to the showers perhaps for handling a Shiva free kick. He trudged off begrudgingly, but the crowd were full of cheers when coach Leonson Lewis consoled him with a fatherly embrace.
Shiva could not capitalise on the one-man advantage.
Joshua Bachan slammed a Moses cross over from point blank range, half the Shiva players flopping to the ground in frustation.
Naparima eased their own pain and added to Shiva's in the 72nd when Noel buried a cross from Benjamin.
That sealed the result, and even though Shiva had a number of shots at goal in the late end of the match, that finishing touch deserted them.
They lost Tevin Peters to a second booking in the dying minutes, and could not even find a consolation item in four minutes of stoppage time.
For Shiva, the season may be over, but Naparima will face the winners of today's Cental Zone final between Waterloo High School and Carapichaima East Secondary, at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Kickoff time is four p.m.
Yesterday's InterCol Results
South Zone final
Naparima College 2 vs Shiva Boys Hindu College 0
Tobago Zone semifinals
Mason Hall 1 vs Scarborough1 (Mason Hall won 4-3 on PK)
Signal Hill 4 vs Roxborough 0
Today's InterCol Fixtures
Central Zone final
Carapichaima vs Waterloo, Ato Boldon Stadium, 4 p.m.
Mason Hall edges Scarborough on penalties.
By: Clayton Clarke (T&T Guardian).
Defending Tobago Intercol champions Mason Hall Secondary remain on course to defend their title with a hard fought 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Scarborough Secondary, at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet yesterday.
In the first semifinal, Mason Hall players showed great fighting spirit after they overcame the odds of being a goal down and their captain Omar Charles sent off. The game matched two teams packed with fit and quick players but neither were able to break the deadlock as the teams when into the half goaless.
Darion Moses opened the scoring for Scarborough in the 51th minute. The tall midfielder put his side ahead despite suffering a injury to his head following a collison.
Mason Hall applied the pressure and seemed set to equalised until Mason Hall skipper was shown a red card after he was found quarelling with one of his players. Despite being a man down and without their most influential Mason Hall overcame their setbacks and equalised nine minutes from the end regulation time through Akini James.
The match went immediately to penalty kicks and Mason Hall woes continue as they missed the first kick. However, they were given a life line after Scarborough missed the third and fifth.
Brandon Joseph then slotted in his side's fifth and final kick to send the Mason Hall fans celebrate. The petit second former was relieved as he was involved in the dispute that led to the sending off of his captain. In the second semifinal, 2010 Tobago League champion Signal Hill Secondary Comprehensive played Roxborough Secondary.