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• Jamaica College clip Hydel 1-0 to set up ISSA Champions Cup final with Glenmuir

  Former champions Jamaica College (JC) edged Hydel High 1-0 to book their place in the ISSA Champions Cup final, where they will meet defending champions Glenmuir High.

  Jabari Howell’s 45th-minute strike was enough to separate the two sides in a semi-final contest that lacked fireworks but delivered drama in crucial moments at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

  While Jamaica College aim to cop the Champions Cup title for a third time, they will face a formidable opponent in Glenmuir High in what promises to be an epic showdown on Saturday. As such, Jamaica College’s Head coach, Davion Ferguson, is focused on ensuring his players are at their best heading into that game.

  “It was a difficult game; we knew Hydel have quality, and they really came and pushed us back, but our boys were resolute. We wanted to get another goal, and it never came, but we managed to keep a clean sheet, which is important. So we look forward to the final on Saturday; the key now is to get the boys recovered. It has been a tough week for them both mentally and physically, so the key now is to get them recovered, and then we look at Glenmuir,” Ferguson said in a post-game interview.

  Both Hydel and Jamaica College came out probing for weaknesses, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. Hydel had an early opportunity in the 20th minute when Dontae Brooks weaved past a defender, only for his left-footed shot to lack the venom needed to beat Jamaica College’s goalkeeper Adriano Kitson.

  Jamaica College’s first real threat came in the 35th minute when Nashordo Gibbs delivered a delightful cross to the unmarked Jamoy Dennis. However, Dennis failed to capitalize, heading the ball over the bar as Hydel goalkeeper Idrian Robinson advanced off his line.

  Just when it seemed as though the teams would head to the break goalless, Howell stepped up to deliver what turned out to be the decisive blow. Howell, left with space and time, unleashed a firm right-footed drive that zipped past Robinson at the near post on the stroke of the break.

  Hydel continued to show life in the attacking third on the resumption, but their push for the elusive equaliser was undone by missed chances and a resolute Jamaica College defence.

  At the other end, Jamaica College went close to extending their lead in the 58th minute as Javaun Mills embarked on a solo run, only to watch his shot curl just wide of the post.

  Hydel’s best chance came in the 68th minute when Brooks broke free on the counterattack but failed to round the onrushing Kitson, who timed his intervention perfectly to preserve Jamaica College’s slim lead.

  D’Sean Henry had a golden opportunity to level the score in stoppage time. On the break, with only Kitson to beat, his shot went agonizingly wide, leaving Hydel ruing what could have been.

  While Hydel gradually piled on the pressure late in the game, the Old Hope Road boys remained composed, with Giovanni Taylor nearly doubling their lead in the 76th minute. Taylor’s break was thwarted by Robinson, who came off his line to neutralize the threat.

  Hydel’s Head coach Devon Anderson acknowledged that they paid the price for not being more clinical in the final third.

  “It was a game of chances, and JC capitalised on an error from our goalkeeper at the near post. We got a few chances to put the ball in the back of the net and we failed... goals win games, and once you fail to score, you will come out on the losing end, and that is what happened,” Anderson said.

• Champs Glenmuir High march into Champions Cup final after 5-1 beating of Ocho Rios

  Reigning ISSA Champions Cup titleholders Glenmuir High made another resounding statement in their title defence as they dismantled Ocho Rios High 5-1 in a lopsided semi-final contest at the National Stadium. on Wednesday.

  Glenmuir’s fluency and attacking prowess overwhelmed yet another opponent, as five different players found the back of the net to secure yet another berth in the final.

  Orel Miller (40th), Dusting Cohen (42nd), Ronaldo Campbell (64th), Orane Watson (69th), and substitute Nyron Allen (71st) got the job done for the May Pen-based school after Kaneil Brown gave Ocho Rios a surprise 21st-minute lead.

  Though still on course to retain their crown, Glenmuir’s Head coach Andrew Peart remains grounded.

  “The final is just another game... it is just another step on the journey, and that is just it. Last year was last year; this is a different year, so new possibilities. So we are just going to hydrate, head home, and watch the next game,” Peart shared.

  His counterpart Veron Peterkin felt his team was overwhelmed by the occasion.

  “We made some very expensive mistakes; the discipline wasn’t there throughout the game, and so it is just one of those things. It’s the first time we have made those errors; it is their first time playing in the National Stadium for these boys, so credit to Glenmuir for capitalizing on our errors, and we know what we have to fix moving forward,” he noted.

  Despite Glenmuir’s dominance in possession and two early warning shots from Watson in the sidnetting and Ja-Son Whyte’s shot from a distance that was kept out by Ocho Rios’ custodian Maleek Martin, it was Ocho Rios High who stunned the crowd with the opening goal in the 21st minute.

  Kaneil Brown tried his luck from the top of the 18-yard box, and the effort proved rewarding as Glenmuir’s goalkeeper Justin Murray lost his footing and could only watch as the ball rolled past his near post.

  The goal briefly gave Ocho Rios hope, but it would only serve as a wake-up call for Glenmuir, who shifted into high gear at the backend of the first half.

  They pulled level in the 40th minute through Miller, who calmly finished off a well-worked buildup orchestrated by Whyte, with Cohen serving up the final past for the player sporting the number 17 jersey to register his 18th goal of the season.

  Just two minutes later, Cohen turned from provider to scorer, expertly heading in a delightful chip from Miller, and the quick double salvo flipped the match on its head as Glenmuir went to the break 2-1 up.

  The champions picked up where they left off on the resumption, maintaining relentless pressure on Ocho Rios. Although Orane Watson appeared to extend Glenmuir’s lead in the 50th minute, his goal was ruled offside, momentarily delaying the inevitable.

  However, Ronaldo Campbell made no mistake in the 64th minute, nodding in a perfectly weighted cross from O’Neil Headley to make it 3-1.

  Five minutes later, Watson finally got his goal—his 33rd of the season—turning his marker inside out before driving a powerful right-footer past Martin, who was left flat-footed.

  The rout was completed in the 71st minute when substitute Nyron Allen broke away and audaciously chipped the ball over the onrushing Martin, capping off a scintillating performance from Glenmuir.

• Salah 'making noise' over Liverpool future for financial benefit, claims Bale

  Mohamed Salah's comments surrounding his future at Liverpool may have been an act "to get a bit more money", former Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale said on Wednesday.

  Bale joined the TNT Sports team at Anfield ahead of Liverpool's clash with Madrid, just three days after Salah had caused a stir with speculation over his stay in Merseyside.

  Salah scored twice against Southampton before saying he was "more out than in" due to a lack of action over his contract, which expires at the end of this season.

  Reds great Jamie Carragher criticised those words from the Egypt star, with Bale following up by suggesting Salah will stay at Liverpool despite the ongoings.

  "We never brought those things into conversation, it’s always about training or general life," Bale said before Liverpool's 2-0 win over Madrid at Anfield.

  "I can't imagine that's going to affect anyone, it's going to be sorted out upstairs with his agent.  

  "I'm sure he's just making noise to just get a bit more money to be honest!"

  Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand defended Salah's actions, claiming no wrongdoing or harm could be done from his honesty.

  "The big thing is he hasn't been out of order," Ferdinand added on punditry duties. "He hasn't been disrespectful; he's just stated some facts.

  "As team-mates, that's all you care about. Is he still with us? Mo Salah is scoring goals week in, week out.

  "He wants to win here and it sounds like he wants to stay – but for a bit more money."

  The ongoings may have been playing on Salah's mind against Madrid, having missed a second-half penalty with Liverpool leading 1-0 after Alexis Mac Allister's opener.

  It was just the second penalty Salah has not converted, scuffing the post from 12 yards in the competition from seven attempts.

  Kylian Mbappe also failed with his own spot-kick at the other end prior to that, as Caoimhin Kelleher saved to keep the Reds ahead, before Cody Gakpo's late header made sure of all three points.

  That victory ensured Liverpool are through the 36-team stage in the Champions League, at least guaranteed a play-off game, though that is unlikely considering they lead the table with 15 points.