Mucurapo opened their defence of the BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League North Zone title with a comfortable 3-1 victory over St Anthony's College at the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday.
The win was a big one for "Compre", as it means they have gotten past their major rivals in the North in their first outing. St Anthony's, the 2003 North champs and returning Inter Col winners, though, will have to re-group if they are to have a chance of claiming national honours this year.
After an even opening 15 minutes where the teams battled for control of the midfield, it was Mucurapo who settled first, and it was no surprise when Khaleem Highland put them in front in the 20th minute, beating Kevin Mossio in the "Tigers" goal after dribbling his way to the 18-metre area.
St Anthony's picked up their game, though, and striker Akil De Freitas earned their reward, as he was brought down in the Compre penalty area when his quick dribbling panicked Mucurapo's defence in the 32nd minute. Lester Peltier stepped up to convert, beating Denzil Cazabon to level the scores at 1-1.
But six minutes later, Mossio's failure to hold onto a low freekick just to his left led to Mucurapo's second, as he allowed to ball to squeeze beneath him and roll over the line for a 2-1 score, which remained at the half.
Mucurapo's Kevon Piper closed out the scoring when he dribbled his way into the area on the right on a counter attack and with Mossio alone to beat slotted home for a 3-1 advantage in the 64th minute.
In the second match of the double-header, QRC had two goals a minute apart at the end of regulation time to sink Malick Senior Comprehensive 2-0.
Competition kicks off in the SSFL South Zone today with a double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, with Naparima College taking on St Benedict's College at 3 p.m., before Vessigny Secondary meet Fyzabad Composite at 5 p.m.
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