St. Paul's United.
SKNFA
The 2023 SKNFA Super Six Playoffs got underway this weekend with three interesting results.
SL Horfords St. Paul’s United, the defending champions, registering the only win of the postseason so far with a 2-1 victory over Newtown on Saturday night; nil all draw between Flow 4G Cayon Rockets and SOL IAS Conaree FC and a 1-1 draw between Rams Village Superstars and playoff debutants MFCR Old Road United Jets on Friday evening. All three matches were played at the SKNFA Technical Center.
After Friday’s 1-1 draw, coach of Old Road Alexis Morris, was satisfied with the result of their first-ever playoff match.
“I must also tip my hats to our fellas. We will have been working quite hard over a year now because we would have started our preseason training since August last and this is another August," Coach Moris said. “It's been quite a while that these guys have been laboring and tonight, we (exhibited) that."
Coach of Village Superstars Stephen Clarke, said the team played well, but they must minimize individual mistakes. “We expected three points today.... once we cut out the individual mistakes, we will be alright," Clarke said, adding that one point is not a bad start to the tournament.
Coach of Conaree FC Al Richards, after their nil-all draw with Cayon, commended his team’s performance.
“You know, it wasn't the result we wanted, but as I told the guys, if we can't get the win, we take the draw at all cost," he said. Assistant Coach of Cayon George Yellowman Isaac, commented on how his team played against Conaree. “For a long time, we have not played in such a competitive match and I think the fellas gave their best for both teams. Going forward I hope we have a better showing,” Isaac said.
Coach of St. Paul’s Iroy “Congo” Jeffers, spoke about the ebb and flow of the game and how St. Paul’s was able to come from behind to win 2-1.
“For the first 20, 30 minutes we were going; holding possession... the latter part of the half, we went flat, and the goal brought us back (in the game). It was a good time for us to score before halftime," he said. The SKNFA Super Six playoffs continue this week with a match today between Cayon and Old Road starting at 7 pm at the SKNFA Technical Center on St. Peters.
Xavi wants Barcelona to make defensive improvements against Sevilla
Barcelona boss Xavi wants his side to defend better as they prepare for their LaLiga clash with Sevilla on Friday.
Barca are currently unbeaten in the league so far this term but have conceded four goals in their last two games, coming from behind to beat Celta Vigo 3-2 before a 2-2 draw with Mallorca.
Despite their recent defensive flaws, Xavi’s side have scored 18 goals, which is the joint most in the division alongside league leaders Girona.
The Barca boss acknowledged those differences but thinks his side have to improve at the back.
He said: “We might not be as brilliant in defence as we were last season.
“We need to improve our pressure after losing the ball, press higher up the pitch, concentrate a bit harder.
“But we have got better up front. We created six clear chances against Mallorca and I think that’s good baggage.”
The Catalan giants will face a Sevilla side who, after a tough start to the campaign, are starting to show their true colours and are currently unbeaten in three.
Xavi praised their opponents on Friday and has called on the home fans to be the 12th man.
He added: “Sevilla are the defending Europa League champions and a difficult team to play.
“They’re solid, they like to play down the wings and play a direct, vertical game. But we’re at home.
“We need the fans and the atmosphere at Montjuic to get back on the winning track.”
A win for Barcelona could take them top of the league temporarily before the top two, Girona and Real Madrid, face each other on Saturday.
Xavi is not surprised by how well current league leaders Girona are doing.
He continued: “It’s no surprise to me because they have been doing things well at that club for several years.”
Rusea’s remain undefeated to lead Zone B; Frome, STETHS, William Knibb secure big wins
Zone B action in the ISSA/WATA DaCosta Cup saw Rusea’s and Frome Technical both secure wins on Wednesday.
Former champions Rusea’s maintained their perfect record after five games with a 4-0 home win over Cambridge High while Frome secured a comfortable 7-0 win over Merlene Ottey to move to nine points from four games in second.
In Zone A, Cornwall College moved to 13 points from their five outings with a 2-0 win over St. James High at Jarrett Park. Irwin High are close behind them in second with 11 points from five games as well after their own 2-0 win over Maldon at home. Spot Valley and Green Pond played out a 1-1 draw in the zone’s other game.
In Zone C, William Knibb secured a massive 8-0 win over Discovery Bay while Browns Town beat Ferncourt 7-1. William Knibb are currently third in the Zone with nine points from five games, one behind York Castle and three behind zone leaders, Cedric Titus. York Castle lost 2-4 to Ocho Rios on Tuesday while Cedric Titus beat Aubuthnott Gallimore 10-2.
STETHS moved to 13 points from five games in Zone E after a massive 9-1 win over Sydney Pagon. Munro College trail the former champions by two points after securing a 7-0 win over Roger Clarke on Tuesday. Elsewhere in the zone, Lacovia and Maggotty played out a 1-1 draw.
In a pair of Zone I clashes, St, Mary High got the better of St. Mary Tech 3-2 while Wycliffe Martin High secured a 5-0 win over Carron Hall High. Wycliffe Martin and St. Mary High are currently fourth and fifth in the zone with seven and six points, respectively. Tacky High (13 points from five games), Annotto Bay (12 points from five games) and Horace Clarke (10 points from four games) occupy the top three spots.
Morant Bay High maintained their perfect record in Zone K after four games with a 4-2 win over Robert Lightbourne.
KC strengthen lead atop Group A; Mona, JC, Haile Selassie also secure wins
Kingston College now have five wins from as many games as action continued in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup on Wednesday.
KC, who initially opened their season with an 0-4 defeat to Hydel before that result was overturned to a 3-0 win after it was deemed that their opponents used an ineligible player, defeated Charlie Smith 1-0 to move to 15 points from their five outings, six points ahead of Calabar in second and nine ahead of Hydel in third. Charlie Smith also have six points in fourth.
Elsewhere in Group B, defending champions Jamaica College secured a 2-1 win over Kingston Technical to move to the top of the group with nine points from four games, two points ahead of Tivoli in second and three ahead of Kingston Technical in third.
Group C action saw Haile Selassie continue their winning ways, moving to 15 points from five games with a 1-0 win over Eltham. The other game in the group saw Dunoon Technical defeat Denham Town 3-2 for their first win of the season.
In Group E, Mona High hammered Edith Dalton 6-0 to move to five wins out of five.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
