Haile Selassie have no fear

Having gone beyond their own expectations this year, Haile Selassie head coach Linval Dixon says that his team will approach their ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup quarterfinal run with no fear, starting with their opener against St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) this afternoon at 4:15 p.m. at the Ashenheim Stadium.

While STATHS has shown a level of consistency since 2017 in making the last eight, for Haile Selassie it’s been a strong return to schoolboy football that has surpassed the goals that they set for themselves this year.

As they begin their adventure in the last eight of the competition, Dixon said that they will exude the same confidence that has got them to this point while not taking any team for granted.

“They know their capabilities and they know what they can do. At this moment they are doing well. They are listening and understanding what it takes. Coming up against a STATHS team will always be a cracker. But we are going to prepare for all the challenges,” Dixon told The Gleaner.

Haile Selassie’s primary goal was to ensure a second-round berth with no expectations of a deep run. But their play has been rewarded with an extended stay in the Manning Cup in their first year back after sitting out last season because of COVID-19 difficulties. For the school and the community, it has been a welcoming sight, one that Dixon hopes will continue.

“The community itself is behind the project and are always encouraging us. We are here for a purpose. We are here for a reason. And I know that the effort and work that we put in is why we are in the quarterfinals,” Dixon said. “We will continue to strive for more success and be the best that we can be. And that is our aim going forward.”

Meanwhile, STATHS are banking on the continued development of their under-16 core that won the Colts title in April to rise to the challenge. Head coach Philip Williams says that they are eager to prove themselves to take the next step.

“We have scored well over 40 odd goals. It’s all about consistency and the quality of the youngsters that we have working with at STATHS. I know that they are hungry for more. It’s just a matter of getting them mature as quickly as possible,” Williams said.

Many-time champions Jamaica College will host Wolmer’s in the first game of the double-header at 2 p.m. While the ‘Dark Blues’ progressed to the last eight comfortably, head coach Davion Ferguson is hoping that his team can increase their level at this important stage of the competition.

“I still think that we are doing enough just to win games. We still think that we can go up a few notches, but we still have a lot to be positive about,” Ferguson said.

At Stadium East, Kingston College and St George’s College will meet for the third time this season at 2 p.m. while Mona High and Charlie Smith will battle at 4:15 p.m. at the same venue.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com

Today’s quarterfinal matches

Stadium East

Kingston College vs St George’s - 2 p.m

Mona High vs Charlie Smith - 4:15 p.m.

At Ashenheim Stadium

Jamaica College vs Wolmer’s - 2 p.m

St Andrew Technical vs Haile Selassie - 4:15 p.m