Champs KC face do-or-die in Manning Cup restart

After being put on hold for more than a month following the passage of Category Five Hurricane Melissa on October 28, the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup is set to resume today with a full slate of second-round matches. The competition, one of the country's premier high-school football tournaments, last saw action on October 22.

Defending champions Kingston College (KC), who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Hydel High in their opening Group Two match, will be aiming to revive their quarter-final hopes when they face Campion College at Richard Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College. Campion also enter the encounter under pressure, having lost 4-1 to Calabar High in their first outing.

With both teams sitting on zero, today's clash is a must-win for each side. Calabar and Hydel, the other teams in the group, are on three points apiece and will square off in the top-of-the-group showdown at Calabar High School.

MUST-WIN SITUATION

KC's head coach Vassell Reynolds said nothing less than a victory will be acceptable.

"We badly need all three points because there is no way out for us. It is a must-win situation for us to keep us in the competition and, as a team, we are well aware of that. I am confident that the boys are up for it and they will give a good performance," Reynolds said.

He added that, despite the long break, his players have maintained a positive mindset.

"I think we have navigated the challenges the best way we can and, over the past couple of sessions, the boys are in good spirits. We would have prepared as best as we can, and hopefully we can bring that positive mindset onto the field and put out a good performance on Friday that will get us all three points."

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

Reynolds noted that the extended pause affected all schools equally.

"I think that we would have done well enough under the circumstances because I think everybody would have gone through varying challenges after Hurricane Melissa. So I think all the teams in the Manning Cup are on a level playing field."

Meanwhile, former champions Excelsior High and St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) will battle in a top-of-the-table Group One clash at Waterhouse Mini Stadium. Both teams are on three points, and a win for either will secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

In the other Group One match, Tivoli Gardens High and Wolmer's Boys', both still searching for their first points, will meet at the same venue at 2 p.m.