In what can only be described as the greatest comeback in the history of the Digicel Schools Football Championship, Carmel Secondary overcame DC Caesar Fox 3-2 on penalty kicks in their semi-final encounter at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue last evening to earn a place in Sunday’s final.
The magnitude of Carmel’s victory, which was witnessed by a large crowd that featured luminaries from the Ministry of Education, Digicel, the Ministry of Culture Youth, and Sport and the National Sports Commission, cannot be understated, as the Smyth Street outfit overcame a 0-3 halftime deficit, a 2-4 second half discrepancy and 4-5 extra time deficiency to force the penalty kicks after full time ended 5-5.
The first round of penalty kicks started in the perfect manner for both teams, following respective conversions. However, DC Caesar Fox seized a 2-1 lead at the end of the second round as they converted, whilst Carmel was denied by the goalkeeper low to his left.
DC Caesar Fox failed to capitalize on their advantage as they fired wide of the lower left corner to start the third round, allowing Carmel to level proceedings at 2-2, following a conversion into the roof of the left corner.
The roles were then reversed in the fourth stanza, as DC Caesar Fox failed to convert to start the fourth round after the goalkeeper fashioned a smart save to his left, only for Carmel to fail to capitalize, as the resulting effort cannoned into the crossbar.
DC Caesar Fox then started the fifth round in the worst possible manner as the effort was launched high over the crossbar, giving the Georgetown unit the chance to secure their place in the final.
It would be an opportunity that would be grasped with both hands, as Shem James rifled his effort into the right corner to ignite wild celebrations on the field.
Prior to the dramatic conclusion, James commenced the come-from-behind win with a hat-trick in the 55th, 59th, and 80th minute, while Ian Daniels added a double in the 85th and 116th minute. For DC Caesar Fox, Robaldo Johnson bagged a double in the 22nd and 94th minute whilst Bevon Jones, Carrington Isaacs, and Anthonio Isaacs scored in the 20th and 71st minute apiece.
As of press time, the second semi-final encounter between St Ignatius of Region #9 and Waramuri of Region #1 was underway.
Complete Results
Semifinal-1
Carmel-4 vs DC Caesar Fox-4
Carmel won 3-2 on penalty kicks
Carmel scorers
Shem James-55th, 59th, and 80yh
Ian Daniels-85th and 116th
DC Caesar Fox scorers
Robaldo Johnson-22nd and 94th
Bevon Jones-24th
Carrington Isaacs-20th
Anthonio Isaacs-71st