By Eric Collymore
December 19, 2024
Annai Secondary School has secured the final semifinal spot in this year’s KFC Goodwill International Schools Football Tournament, joining Chase Academy, defending champions Clarendon College, and St. Benedict’s College in the next round of competition.
On Wednesday, the region nine school sealed their place with an emphatic 8-1 victory over Dolphin Secondary at the Queen’s College ground.
Annai came out strong, with Josh Glasgow opening the scoring in the second minute.
Sudesh Persaud and Adrian Cabral followed up with goals in the 5th and 7th minutes, giving Annai a commanding 3-0 lead early on.
Despite Dolphin Secondary’s Brian Brower pulling one back in the 19th minute, Annai went into the break with a 3-1 lead.
The second half saw more dominance from Annai, as Persaud netted again in the 56th minute.
Cabral added a goal in the 66th minute, and Matthias John scored in the 76th minute to make it 6-1.
Persaud capped off his standout performance with two more goals in the final minutes of the match, sealing an 8-1 victory for Annai.
In other action, DC Caesar Fox Secondary triumphed 10-5 over Surinamese team Henry Hassankhan Community College in a high-scoring match.
Kemron Thomas led the charge with a hat-trick, supported by doubles from Stephon George, Dominic Elliman, and Jim Carter.
The tournament’s remaining matches saw Chase Academy fall to St. Benedict’s College from Trinidad and Tobago 0-3, while defending champions Clarendon College fought off Speyside High School to secure a 2-1 victory.
The semifinal matches will take place on Friday at the Ministry of Education Ground, with Annai Secondary facing St. Benedict’s College, followed by defending champions Clarendon College meeting Chase Academy in a repeat of last year’s final.