No treble for Jabloteh as Uprising and SKHY share national youth honors 

San Juan Jabloteh started the final day of the 2015 Republic Bank National Youth Cup contending in all three age groups but, in the end, managed to come away with just the one title yesterday at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.

Photo: A San Juan Jabloteh player (right) loses his footing in the Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-13 third place play off at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar. (Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
Photo: A San Juan Jabloteh player (right) loses his footing in the Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-13 third place play off at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)

The “San Juan Kings” edged WASA FC 2-1 in the Under-15 final to round off the day’s action in perfect fashion following their earlier disappointments.

Uprising Youths outkicked Jabloteh from the penalty spot in the Under-11 final while, in the the Under-13 division, Jabloteh settled for a third place finish, after being turned back by St Ann’s Rangers in the semi-finals.

The seemingly indestructible SKHY FC romped to victory in the Under-13 category with some aplomb, conceding no goals on the day while scoring six.

The final day of the Republic Bank National Youth Cup was ushered in with a brief but heavy downpour as the Under-11 and Under-13 semi-finalists took to the field at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar. The games were played simultaneously in the two halves of the field while all the Under-15 games, save for the final, were played on the stadium’s training ground.

Prior to the day’s proceedings, all Under-13 defenders should have been warned about free-scoring SKHY forward Justin Araujo-Wilson. Even if they had not heard of him, Araujo-Wilson’s giant frame speaks for itself.

Photo: SKHY FC striker Justin Araujo-Wilson (centre) collects the Under-13 MVP trophy from Republic Bank Risk Department manager Vijay Ragoonanan. (Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
Photo: SKHY FC striker Justin Araujo-Wilson (centre) collects the Under-13 MVP trophy from Republic Bank Risk Department manager Vijay Ragoonanan.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)

The towering youngster, who might draw some comparisons with Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini, opened the scoring on the day in the seventh minute of his match as he headed home from close range off a corner.

So much for that warning huh?

In truth, the La Brea-based WEZ Pro team had very little answer for Araujo-Wilson and the Under-13 MVP manoeuvred in and around the box at will. SKHY’s defence was rarely troubled and its attackers looked as though they could run up a tennis score.

In the end, they fell just short of a massacre but still managed a handy 4-nil rout. Araujo-Wilson fittingly helped himself to the fourth and final item.

The atmosphere at the Larry Gomes Stadium was not as intense or as hostile as the Queen’s Park Savannah or Constantine Park venues where spectators marshalled the touchlines. But the passion was still undoubtedly there, as parents and coaches remained as belligerent as ever on the touchlines and the players on the substitutes benches were not far behind.

Photo: Uprising Youths substitutes get excited as their team clinches the Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-11 crown at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar. (Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
Photo: Uprising Youths substitutes get excited as their team clinches the Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-11 crown at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)

SKHY’s semifinal affair was a breeze but the pair of Under-11 semis produced tenser affairs.


Cap Off Youths and treble-chasing Jabloteh played to an interesting goalless match. Interesting because Jabloteh somehow managed to come out of the match without conceding a goal.

Cap Off played all over and around their San Juan opponents but failed to get that crucial goal. And the Central Zone team’s fate was sealed from the penalty spot as they were edged by Jabloteh.

“We play all the football,” said a Cap Off coach, as he slammed his water bottle into the ground, “we’re not supposed to be going through this. Jah boy!”

Trendsetter Hawks coach Anthony “Dada” Wickham was busy preparing his team at the time and warned them about suffering a similar end.

“Allyuh see what went on with that side,” said Dada, “they played all the football in the game and still lost. So don’t play any games out there.”

Photo: Trendsetter Hawks playmaker Luke Williams (right) looks for an opening against Uprising Youths in Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-11 semifinal action. (Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
Photo: Trendsetter Hawks playmaker Luke Williams (right) looks for an opening against Uprising Youths in Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-11 semifinal action.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)

But Dada’s youths could not act on his warning, as they struggled to break down a feisty and combative Uprising outfit.

There could be no better reflection of a coach on his charges than at Uprising Youths. Coach Sheldon Mitchell, the father of Trinidad and Tobago national youth team playmaker Jabari Mitchell, wears his heart on his sleeve and appears to kick every ball from the sideline.

His team was no less passionate and committed as they quietened a Trendsetter attack that boasted the likes of Luke Williams, Quddoos Hypolite and Josiah Wilson.

Mitchell referred to the Uprising skipper, Luke Phillip, as a “little devil” in the back and Dada’s men could not exorcise the talented defender.

“(Phillip) is a serious hard-working guy,” said Mitchell. “He is very impressive.”

Phillip definitely had a no-nonsense mood about him as well as the confidence to play his way out of the back if necessary. And he was instrumental in Uprising’s success as he helped the South Zone team stifle back-to-back opponents.

Photo: Uprising Youths coach Sheldon Mitchell (centre) hugs an Under-11 player, after their penalty shoot out win over San Juan Jabloteh. (Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
Photo: Uprising Youths coach Sheldon Mitchell (centre) hugs an Under-11 player, after their penalty shoot out win over San Juan Jabloteh.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)

Uprising defeated the much fancied Hawks 5-4 on penalties following a goalless encounter before defeating Jabloteh in the final via the same route.

Mitchell was lucky to still have his voice after the final whistle. He gave Wired868 some insight into his coaching philosophy.

“My thing is not football alone with these youths,” said Mitchell. “I’m very serious about their education. I check their (school) reports so they have to fix that before they can play…

“I address the youths in a manner where I want to protect them from making mistakes in life. I want to prevent them from making mistakes that I made.

“I could’ve gotten away with it back then but now it’s either the hospital, jail or cemetery.”

The SKHY FC contingent must have been wondering what the fuss was all about in the other age groups, as they just strolled through without the need for penalties.

Photo: A SKHY midfielder whips in a cross during Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-13 action at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar. (Courtesy Sinead Peterds/Wired868)
Photo: SKHY midfielder Naim Pompey whips in a cross during Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-13 action at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar.
(Courtesy Sinead Peterds/Wired868)

SKHY’s main man, Araujo-Wilson, once again dominated the final.

In the first half, he won a penalty which was successfully converted by teammate Marc Wharfe. Then, in the second half, Araujo-Wilson beat the Rangers custodian to a loose ball to tap home after some stellar by his teammate down the right flank.

The big boys in the Under-15 category, WASA FC and San Juan Jabloteh, brought the curtain down on the competition.

Both WASA and Jabloteh used 4-3-3 formations and showed good imagination and trickery down the flanks.

But Jabloteh captain Keseon St Rose was the star as he lived up to his name and duly rose to the occasion with a double in his team’s 2-1 win.

St Rose’s first goal was smartly taken, as he showed off his finishing technique with an arrowed shot into the corner from a narrow angle while his second item was a simple tap in from close range.

St Rose was rewarded with the Under-15 MVP accolade as Jabloteh finally picked up a title.

Photo: An Uprising Youths player (centre) keeps his eye on the ball against San Juan Jabloteh in the Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-11 final at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar. (Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
Photo: An Uprising Youths player (centre) keeps his eye on the ball against San Juan Jabloteh in the Republic Bank National Youth Cup Under-11 final at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)

All Sport Promotion marketing director Anthony Harford, whose company has run the Republic Bank-sponsored tournament for its entire 20 years, was pleased with the standard of play this year.

“There are some kids there who look like they have what it takes,” said Harford. “If we have a consistent Under-13 and Under-15 program, then it gives national coaches more opportunity to see and harness talent.”

Harford suggested that the youth competition has gone a long way in discovering and developing talent.

“This Republic Bank Youth Cup is the ideal platform from which to build,” he said. “A succession of young men started playing football in the communities in what you would call pick-up sides and now some of these youngsters have gone on to play for the national teams at various levels.”

Photo: Get 2015 Republic Bank National Youth Cup news at Wired868.com.
Photo: Get 2015 Republic Bank National Youth Cup news at Wired868.com.

2015 Republic Bank National Youth Cup

Champion teams

Under-11: Uprising Youths

Under-13: SKHY FC

Under-15: San Juan Jabloteh

 

Most Valuable Players

Under-11: Luke Phillip (Uprising Youths)

Under-13: Justin Araujo-Wilson (SKHY)

Under-15: Keseon St Rose (San Juan Jabloteh)

Photo: Trendsetter Hawks midfielder Josiah Wilson (centre) slams home a penalty in Republic Bank National Youth Cup action at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar. (Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
Photo: Trendsetter Hawks midfielder Josiah Wilson (centre) slams home a penalty in Republic Bank National Youth Cup action at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)

Semifinal and Final Results

(Under-11)

San Juan Jabloteh 0, Cap Off Youths 0, Semifinal;

*—Jabloteh won 5-4 via kicks from the penalty mark

Trendsetter Hawks 0, Uprising Youths 0, Semifinal;

Uprising Youths won 6-5 via kicks from the penalty mark

Cap Off Youths 0, Trendsetter Hawks 0, Third place play off;

Trendsetter Hawks won 4-2 via kicks from the penalty mark

Uprising Youths 1 (Luke Phillip 28), San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Larry Noel 13 pen), Final;

Uprising Youths won 3-2 via kicks from the penalty mark

Photo: Republic Bank Risk Department manager Vijay Ragoonanan (right) hands the National Youth Cup Under-13 trophy to SKHY FC. (Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
Photo: Republic Bank Risk Department manager Vijay Ragoonanan (right) hands the National Youth Cup Under-13 trophy to SKHY FC.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)

(Under-13)

SKHY FC 4 (Justin Araujo-Wilson 8, 35, Naim Pompey 11, Marc Wharfe 21), WEZ Pro 0, Semifinal;

St Ann’s Rangers 2 (Jean-Heim McFee 9, 39), San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Daniel Davis 25), Semifinal;

San Juan Jabloteh 4 (Dorian Sampson 15, Real Gill 20, Tafari Haynes 32, Daniel David 45), WEZ Pro 1 (Isaiah Neptune 6), Third place play off;

SKHY FC 2 (Marc Wharfe 13, Justin Araujo-Wilson 49), St Ann’s Rangers 0, Final;

Photo: St Anns Rangers attacker Kaviel Bennett sprints down the flank during their quarterfinal win over Cap Off Youths in the Republic Bank National Youth Cup. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: St Anns Rangers attacker Kaviel Bennett sprints down the flank during their quarterfinal win over Cap Off Youths in the Republic Bank National Youth Cup.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

(Under-15)

WASA FC 3 (Emmanuel Cumberbatch 30, Brandon Semper 50, Tevis Byron 53), Cap Off Youths 3 (Cephas Cedeno 11, Mark Ramdeen 31, Jevaughn Humphrey 35), Semifinal;

WASA won 5-4 via kicks from the penalty mark

San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Miles Oliver 9, Raheim Jawahir 39), Uprising Youths 1 (Jameel Pierre 48), Semifinal;

Uprising Youths 2 (Zyon Bristol 37, Adrian Henry 50), Cap Off Youths 1 (Tyrique Muhammad 60), Third place play off;

San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Keseon St Rose 14, 40), WASA FC 1 (Tevis Byron 32), Final, 3.30 pm.

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About Roneil Walcott

Roneil Walcott is an avid sports fan and freelance reporter with a BA in Mass Communication from COSTAATT. Roneil is a former Harvard and St Mary's College cricketer who once had lofty aspirations of bringing joy to sport fans with the West Indies team. Now, his mission is to keep them on the edge of their seats with sharp commentary from off the playing field.

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51 comments

  1. Agreed Mr. Najjar & Ms. Layne; football is alive at those young age groups! It’s why I think the Pro League needs a bit of restructuring since they haven’t bridged this & Secondary Schools Football.

  2. The return of the joy that produced some our finest football and footballers in our nation’s history! Look at the passion in those four little children in the lead photo…. go through each of those four faces and bodily actions and you can write a story each onto its own. We can even make an enactment of what they had just done and what they are about to do as we soak in the fever-high spirit of these four future stars. What a mark to bless us on this National Day of Celebration, our Independence Day.

  3. Like they come out of the woodwork …oh sorry I meant SKHY….LOL

  4. I never realised we had so many in-house SKHY readers! 🙂

  5. Once my heart is there the polo is irrelevant…..lol

  6. I will have to remedy the polo situation Hassan C Araujo….next tournament

  7. Ian …So one must have a Blue SKHY Polo tee to support….hahaha…..and I am the uncle and a supporter of the team…..

  8. No…. I do not have a blue polo team support tee….I work for the MVP and his brother I shoot all their games…..lol….but the cooler of refreshments sounds good…..no alcoholic beverages please…..lol

  9. I think Hassan C Araujo has a blue polo team support tee…. We will have to put it to good use next tournament. ..expect a cooler full of ice and refreshments

  10. Will do.bro. The boys did us proud….Ian…..hard work paid off….

  11. I consulted the MVP and I am correct.lol

  12. Part of the SKHY support or the uncle of the MAP Justin Araujo -Wilson.Behave yourself!!!!

  13. Thanks Hassan C Araujo. I added his name.

  14. I think I am right….I was part of the SKHY Support….lol….

  15. Lasana…I think his name is Naim Pompeii….

  16. Btw Ian Brooks, who is the SKHY player crossing the ball in the photo in the story?
    It would really help us identify players next season if players were the jerseys they are assigned on the team sheets.

  17. Right. Problem is the Centre of Excellence was never really used that way. Or very rarely. But that is the idea.
    Let me give you an example Savitri Maharaj. Sometimes the national teams have twice a day sessions. When that is done without a running hotel tab, guess what happens?
    The players who live far away from the stadium have to lie down and sleep in the stands. God knows what they get to eat. And then they train in the evening.
    And I’m even talking about national senior team players there at times, particularly ones without vehicles.

  18. Well done Sheldon,,,,always have some of the best young players around,,,.

  19. We could only dream and hope…..nah not in our lifetime….people

  20. Brooks, a 20 acre allocation similar to ESPN Wide World of Sports in Disney would definitely fit the bill…

  21. Ok am just asking as I’m not aware of all the logistics involved. But I get you a similar set up like the Centre of Excellence could be more productive since there’s also living accommodation and traiming facilities.

  22. It is more difficult than you think though Sav. Partly because those stadia change their bookings on you a lot or have other hiccups.
    But remember the national teams alone are about eight different squads and many have to train around the same time as they are students.
    They bounce around now between different venues. But to have a proper headquarters for them would really be a big plus.
    Just to have national coaches sharing the same quarters and under-17 players walking past senior players in the corridors can be stimulating.

  23. But Lasana we have stadia and facilities all over the country…if they wish to use Ato Boldon theres also the Cricket Centre right next door which is hardly used, I’m sure they can come to some arrangement, no? Manny Ramjohn is also underutilised.

  24. Not really Sav. You have to share the ground with so many people and there are costs attached. You wouldn’t have enough use to really put plans in place.
    The national teams shift all over the place when they are training and a youth academy will require a lot more stadium use.

  25. And can they not use Ato Boldon as well Lasana?

  26. I don’t know more details. I just remember hearing that it was approved and that the Ministry of Sport wanted to do handover. And TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee was doing everything he could to avoid getting it from a UNC government. Lol.

  27. Kk.thanks for the info.How much land?

  28. Actually, the Govt has given land to TTFA for its Goal project. So that should be our new Centre of Excellence. I’m not sure of the exact location.

  29. Lasana,why dont we invest Caroni lands to develop young aspiring sportsmen and federations in east,west,north ,central and south.Providing proper playing and training surfaces and a massive complex to promote sport in a central area.Nah,give more and more to ethnic voters znd their friends.

  30. Yesterday I decided to go to the Malabar Stadium to take in some of the games and I was extremely pleased with the standard of play that I saw. There were some very enthusiastic supporters sitting close to me complete with their drum and about four drummers striking up a rhythm. I was well entertained. Thank you for the coverage.

  31. Ian Brooks, it must because the national youth coaches tend to come from south these days. The east has produced as much or more national players than anyone between the Strike Squad and the Soca Warriors I think.

  32. Chabeth, I understand that there was an invitation to girls teams too that wasn’t taken up.
    A few girls played for some of the teams. But I would definitely want a girls competition next year.
    This is not patronizing in the least. I still think our women’s team has a better chance than the men to get to a senior World Cup in the short term.

  33. Chabeth Haynes ,a girl played on the SKHY team…

  34. Ian, you so right about the south connection but say what….our boys did well…..I was there shooting the games…..

  35. But check..Brandon Creed…Stephan Spicer. ..Dominic Jangroo. ….Rashad Hyacinth.

  36. TO make it to the National team you have to be from the south teams.

  37. That’s my team Lasana …. SKHY. ….Great team…great kids…great technical work….Bright kids…Supportive coaches and parents…great vision….Hard work pays off…We need some land in Caroni to further the programme and produce more.Those u13s.They just came back from Disney Cup and did well in the Gold Division.Hats off to you guys!!!!

  38. If only TTFA can expand this tournament & assist these grassroots coaches technical & financial ability.

  39. The reports made it seem like the matches and sideline antics were very entertaining. I’m eager to see if any of these players you guys mentioned make it to the national level.
    Is there a girls’ equivalent to this tournament? Had to ask…me and my gender equality issues! ????

  40. It was great fun. And there is talent out there.

  41. Congratulations to all the kids and coaches!

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