Round-of-16 reckoning for STETHS

It is doomsday for some teams in the round of 16 of the ISSA daCosta Cup, which gets under way today in what promises to be a highly competitive phase of the competition.

Defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) are among the teams facing elimination and find themselves in a must-win situation when they face Manchester High at Manchester at 3 p.m.

Following a crushing 5-0 defeat to Glenmuir High on Saturday in Clarendon, the Omar ‘Rambo’ Wedderburn-coached STETHS will be hoping to put that disappointment behind them and get their campaign back on track.

STETHS’ hopes of retaining the daCosta Cup title hinge on winning their remaining two matches. Any other result will end their title defence.

Wedderburn believes mental readiness will be critical if his team is to bounce back from Saturday’s setback and secure a much-needed victory.

“Really, it’s all about the mental aspect. As long as we get that right, we will be able to put up a fight. The team’s mental state is nearly where it needs to be for the match.

“We have to guide the boys because this is a part of life’s process. We have a game to play tomorrow, and we are ready to come here and play.”

“At 3 p.m. tomorrow will be the answer to everything surrounding the talk about us being a dangerous team with our backs against the wall,” added Wedderburn.

While STETHS boast a rich footballing history, having won six daCosta Cup titles, Manchester’s best result remains a lone appearance in the 2009 final.

In Zone Two, Glenmuir sit atop the standings on three points. Kemps Hill and Manchester are tied on one point, while defending champions STETHS are rooted to the foot of the table without a point.

Meanwhile, Manchester coach Johnoy Chambers believes his team will need to bring their ‘A game’ to match the intensity expected from STETHS.

“STETHS is a formidable team, regardless of the season that they are having. The most dangerous STETHS team to face is always a team with their backs against the wall. As such, we have to prepare for a very difficult match that we both want to win,” said Chambers.

“Also, it’s a home game for us, so we have to maximise the opportunity of getting three points,” he added.

Chambers said that despite his personal ties to STETHS, his focus remains firmly on the task at hand.

“I am a proud past student of STETHS, but that has nothing to do with the game. Tomorrow, I have to go fully professional when it comes to that.”

He added: “If all the boys play to the best of their potential, I am expecting a favourable result. We cannot, under any circumstances, underestimate the test, with our opponents’ backs against the wall.”