The Milo Schools U-18 Football competition is heading into the business end of things with the Round-of-16 phase done and dusted over the last weekend as the title challengers separated themselves from the others, some easing their way to the quarter-finals while others had challenging games en route to progression.
The Petra Organisation released the quarter-final fixtures yesterday with the remaining eight schools paired in matches that will be played on Sunday (April 21) at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Perennial title challengers in any competition, Chase’s Academic Foundation will be facing the ever consistent Bartica Secondary who have shown glimpses of their quality throughout the tournament thus far.
Chase’s Academic Foundation along with East Ruimveldt, West Ruimveldt and Dolphin Secondary are the remaining Georgetown-based schools while Bartica Secondary has company in fellow hinterland school Waramuri Secondary. Anns Grove Secondary and President’s College, both based on the East Coast of Demerara have made the cut as well.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport ahead of Sunday’s quarter-finals, Principal of Chase’s Academic Foundation, Henry Chase, expressed confidence in his side’s potential to progress from the quarter-final stage.
“We are very confident going into the quarter-final against Bartica. We have a solid team that has been performing at an optimum level thus far. Our confidence is there because even though we had a few players missing from our round of 16 match due to club football commitments, we still won emphatically. Heading into the business end of this Milo competition, we will field our strongest line-up”.
After an 11-0 dismantling of the Bishops’ High School on Saturday last, Chase’s confidence in his side is not misplaced. He further explained that while his side is looking for positive results, they have taken the opportunity to blood some younger players during the tournament.
“We have been playing our first choice keeper in defence while giving our up and coming keeper, a third former, minutes in goal, we are in the process of grooming him for future competitions. Our first choice line-up come Sunday will be strong and we will take on the challenge of Bartica head on”, he stated.
Meanwhile, Troy Mendonca. Co-Director of the Petra Organisation gave his stamp of approval to the quality of football displayed thus far saying; “we are expecting four hotly contested games come Sunday, while there are some favourites going ahead, the performances of all eight teams speak volumes for the quality of football being player and fans can expect keenly contested matches”.
This year’s tournament, the 10th edition of the Milo competition, got off to a delayed start of more than four weeks due to the nation-wide strike by teachers, however, according to Mendonca, the delay which could have had dire knock-on effects on the smooth hosting of the competition, did not impede the progress of the tournament.
He had high praise for the Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Unit which he gave kudos to for having a paid coach overseeing the preparations of each school involved.
The winner of this year’s competition will receive $300,000 to a school project of their choice while the runners-up will pocket $150,000 and third place $75,000.
There will be individual accolades on offer for the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Highest Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper.
The Quarter-finals are as follows:
April 21 – Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue
Chase’s Academic Foundation vs Bartica Secondary School – 1PM
East Ruimveldt Secondary vs President’s College – 2:30PM
Ann’s Grove Secondary School vs Waramuri Primary Top – 4PM
Dolphin Secondary vs West Ruimveldt Secondary – 5:30PM
