HEAD coach Peter Lewis said his Arima team will be aiming to close off the title race in the East Zone of the BGTT/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League when they visit Trinity East from today.
Lewis told Newsday that he is confident that they will be able to claim full points from Trinity. “I told my players that in order to win the title we must beat St Augustine and San Juan and we have achieved those two objectives. Now the game today we are treating it as a final and we are going into it to win. We want to close it off against Trinity. Once we get three more points and get to 27, then nobody can catch us,” said Lewis
Each team has two remaining matches to play in the second round and St Augustine who has 21 points would need to win both of their matches, one of them being against San Juan, if they are to put any pressure on Arima.
Arima claimed a hard fought 1-0 win over San Juan on Wednesday after being reduced to ten men at the end of the first half where they were controlling play however; they were not able to put away their chances. The head coach said his players showed great character to come away with the win in the end. “We were a man down the entire second half and the guys stuck to the plan and they were able to get the win. They showed a great level of maturity. We have a good team and we could beat anybody once the boys come out on the park and give their best effort,” said Lewis.
He was high in praise for National U-20 forward Marcus Gomes who has been the target man this season. Gomez broke the hearts of the San Juan players who were attacking the Arima goal relentlessly. The forward changed the game against the run of play, out running the defense to a long ball before slotting it past the keeper who found himself in no man’s land.
“Marcus is a very special player. He has matured over the years since he started playing in from two. He is bringing a lot of leadership qualities to the team and really rallying the guys and getting them motivated and ready for the task.”
Lewis said while he is expecting big things this season, he is taking it one step at a time.
Meanwhile Presentation College San Fernando will also be aiming to close off things in South when they face defending champions Shiva Boys at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marbella from 3:45. Pres which are on 30 points from their ten matches, are the only undefeated team in the league this season. A win against the defending champions will seal the title, while Shiva on the other hand will be going all out to claim the three points to keep their title hopes alive. A win for them today would mean that the title would be decided in the last leg of matches next Wednesday.
In the North defending champions St Anthony’s will also look to close off and retain their title when they face East Mucurapo at the Fatima ground.A win for the “Tigers” will see them lift the title however, a defeat will give Mucurapo a chance at the title. St Anthony’s lead the standings with 24 points with Mucurapo second on 21.
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