Shiva Boys out for revenge in Intercol

Shiva Boys booked their spot in the Coca Cola South Intercol final yesterday, edging Presentation College San Fernando 1-0 in the second match of a doubleheader at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. Shiva Boys, who were deducted 14 points for improperly registering two players during the recently concluded Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division and subsequently relegated, were indebted to Matthew Beal who ironically was one of the footballers whose rregistration was protested.

Beal’s s second half strike was enough to separate the two teams yesterday and Shiva Boys will now meet Naparima College in the South Final on Thursday after the latter hammered St Benedict’s College 4-1 in the earlier match yesterday. Naparima’s Ronaldo McIntosh had a double while Declan Marcelle and Judah St Louis got one each. Keon Bony got St Benedict’s lone item.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Sheldon Maharaj, manager of Shiva Boys, said their team is extra motivated for the Intercol competition as they believe they are the best schools team in the country.

“Definitely, I mean during the Premiership, there were other schools such as QRC’s (coach) Mr (Nigel) Grovesnor stated after he played us that our team is a cut above the rest and this is something that he stated outright. Many teams even Benedict’s said we should not be playing school football, we should be playing Pro League.

“They saw us as the dominant team and we come out to prove that we are the dominant team. We will prove that we had deserved to go out and win that Premiership. Unfortunate circumstances didn’t allow it, but we’re going to prove we have the best team and we’re going to prove it in the Intercol. We’re out to prove something.”

Maharaj noted that had it not been for any deductions in the Premier Division, Shiva Boys would have retained their SSFL title comfortably. He said his players are all highly motivated and they are competing with a chip on their shoulder.

“They themselves want to prove (something). They know their capabilities,” he said.