Coach Charles: Expect a different Fatima in final

FATIMA College football coach Hutson Charles said after having the experience of playing in a final earlier this season, his players are ready for the occasion this time around as they face St Benedict’s College in the Coca-Cola Boys Intercol final.

The match kicks off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo at 4.30 pm on Wednesday.

Fatima and St Benedict’s have battled throughout the season, as this will be the third meeting between the two teams. St Benedict’s defeated Fatima 3-1 in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premiership final in October at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Earlier in the premiership league season, the teams played to a 1-1 draw.

Charles said nerves got the better of his players in the SSFL premiership final, but added: “Our team will be ready…the first time, in the final, they had a little jitters there, but now that these guys got the experience and they have a couple games under their belt, expect a different Fatima come the final against Benedict’s.”

Fatima held their final training session on Tuesday morning.

“It is a good mood in the camp. We had our last session this morning…they ready for the final,” Charles said.

The former Strike Squad player said it will be a keenly contested match.

“It is going to be a competitive game. We know their style, they know our style, so I feel it will be a competitive game, it will be tactical.… both teams love to play the football, put down the football (on the ground), and they play good football, so I am expecting a good game tomorrow.”

Although the match is being played a stone’s throw away from Fatima College, Charles said, “I don’t think we will be at an advantage, because we probably played about two games at the national stadium, and Benedict’s also played two games at the national stadium.”

Once the playing surface is of a high standard, he expects a quality match.

The football teams at Fatima have had success this season, including winning the North Zone Intercol title.

“I thought this season was pretty (good)for Fatima. When I say pretty (good) for Fatima, I am not just talking about the first team, but I am talking about all the age groups.”

The Fatima Under-14 team won the national title, while the Under-16 team and the second XI teams are also having memorable seasons.

Charles said many of the Fatima first XI players will graduate next year, and wants them to end their school careers with a title.

“We are going out there to bring home the trophy, because most of our guys, it’s going to be their last year, and they really want to leave with a good impression.”

On Monday, St Benedict’s coach Randolph Boyce told Newsday he expects a tough match and believes Fatima will be seeking revenge.