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The 2015 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season wrapped up on Monday evening with Naparima College securing a National double and sweeping all possible titles—Premier Division, South Zone Intercol and National Intercol—for the school season.
Several players from coach Angus Eve’s two-time Premier Division winning team caught Wired868’s lens this season but there were many others who were worth a second glance as well.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Is it really “de oil in de coil?”
Have a look at Wired868’s All Star XI and see which players caught our eye during the 2015 SSFL season:
Denzil Smith (Shiva Boys HC): Goalkeeper
Shiva faded away towards the end of the season but that was no fault of Smith’s. The Shiva shot-stopper might be undersized, but what he lacks in height and brawn he certainly makes up with heart and bravery, not to mention cat-like reflexes. He is a beast between the sticks.
Joshua Marshall (St Augustine Secondary): Centre back
The no-nonsense St Augustine captain has aspirations of joining the Army and it is clear to see that he is more than halfway there. He blends discipline and toughness superbly and leads his team from the back with his echoing shouts. He is a born leader!
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Stephon Smith (Naparima College): Centre back
A big part of Naparima’s success this season was the partnership formed at the centre of their defence with Smith and Anderson Toussaint. Smith is an excellent reader of the game and he is also very assured and comfortable when in possession.
Keston Julien (Presentation College San F’do): Left-wing back
This stylish left-footed player is comfortable at left-back or left wing and his crosses from the flank are usually spot-on. With CONCACAF Champions League experience already under his belt with W Connection, there is no telling how far this confident youngster can go.
Julien made his senior competitive debut for Connection at just 16 years old.
(Courtesy MexSport/CONCACAF)
Rondell Payne (Naparima College): Right back
Payne’s former school, St Benedict’s College, were on the losing end of last year’s National Intercol final and the feisty defender played through a niggling injury to ensure that he got a winners medal this time around. He is hard in the tackle and never afraid to bomb up and down the flank too.
Jesse Joseph (St Augustine Secondary): Midfielder
If you concede a free kick 25 to 30 yards away from goal against St Augustine, chances are your goalie would be picking the ball out of his net. The slender Joseph has a dead eye from set pieces and is fond of the spectacular as well. His passing ability, coupled with long legs, also make him a difficult opponent in the middle of the park.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Kareem Riley (Presentation College San F’do): Midfielder
If there was an award for persistence in the SSFL, Riley would be the runaway winner. The national Under-17 midfielder shoots, shoots and shoots again before he bulges the back of the net. When his persistence pays off, the outcome is usually spectacular.
Shane Sandy (Naparima College): Midfielder
The Plymouth-born Sandy is as tough as they come in the SSFL, and he was a key figure in Naparima’s clean sweep this season. He is assured in possession, rarely gets flustered, and has a thunderous right-footed shot.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Quinn Rodney (Shiva Boys HC): Attacker
Perhaps, the most feared winger in the SSFL, Rodney is speed, trickery and grit all wrapped up in one. You do not want to get in a foot race with this guy. It’s better to take him out at half line.
Isaiah Hudson (Naparima College): Striker
Naparima coach Angus Eve moved the lanky 15 year-old into the striking position midway through the Premier Division season, and nearly everything he touched thereafter turned into goals. He is a clever player who makes very intelligent off the ball runs, which gifts him more space than other strikers may have in the penalty area. Although he did not sizzle in the National Intercol final, this youngster can keep his head held high. He is our Wired868 SSFL Player of the Year!
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Jarred Dass (Naparima College): Attacker
Naps’ Mr Consistent! Dass started off the season as the focal point of Angus Eve’s attack and finished the National Intercol final at right-back. He was shifted to the wing during the season to accommodate the red-hot Isaiah Hudson but the willing runner never complained.
Instead, the selfless Dass found himself in the penalty area to clinch Naps’ National double with a double of his own.
We were also impressed by these players:
Jadel Poon-Lewis (QRC): Goalkeeper
Jadel probably has a Manuel Neuer poster in his house somewhere. His calm with the ball at his feet is definitely not something one would associate with a secondary school goalkeeper.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Taryll Coutou (St Benedict’s College): Defender
The Benedict’s skipper is a heavyweight and he is never afraid to show it. He packs a mean punch from a free kick too.
Anderson Toussaint (Naparima College): Defender
One half of Naparima’s impressive centre-back pairing. Reading the game is what he does best.
Tyrel “Pappy” Emmanuel (Shiva Boys HC): Midfielder
Pass, pass, pass, repeat! You get the picture. This young playmaker has the “Vision 2020” that Patrick Manning once proposed.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Michael Basdeo (Naparima College): Midfielder
The Naps skipper goes about his business without much flair, but he is a perceptive and very efficient midfield organiser, not to mention a good exemplar.
Shem Clauzel (St Anthony’s): Midfielder
This pint-sized midfield playmaker is sure to catch your eye. He is smooth and assured when in possession.
Kathon St Hillaire: St Anthony’s College (Attacker)
This lively winger seems to come to life when the Intercol’s bright lights are switched on. On his day he is a terrifying proposition for any wing back. Unfortunately for St Hillaire, he was unable to lift the National Intercol crown like he did with Mucurapo East Secondary last year.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
Nion Lammy (Presentation College San F’do): Attacker
He is quick, loves a dribble and has an eye for goal.
Brent Sam (San Juan North): Striker
San Juan goes as Brent Sam goes. When the Bourg boys were flirting with first place early in the season, Sam was the player who carried them there. His goals were not enough to take San Juan to the “Promised Land” this season though.
(Courtesy Kerlon Orr/Wired868)
Editor’s note: Did we miss out anyone? Have your say, and bite nice!
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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.
Taryl Coutou the St Benedicts centrr back is by farrrrrrrr the best central defender in the league, Shemar Ravello on his day can unlock any defence and Mathew Joseph is the best utility player in Trindad he can literally play anywhere, have a chat with Coaches about their players so as to get that broader picture Lisana
Lik tobago not important…but congrats to who made it
The Tobago team was relegated and there were no standouts selected from the other relegated teams either.
But Shane Sandy, a Tobagonian, was in the All Star team.
Johnpaul missing … He was consistant in all his matches
Well done Shane Sandy I am so proud of you☺☺☺
Saw someone said Riley bagged 10 goals from defensive midfield. That is astonishing to say the least.
Lasana, How many players scored 10 goals and more?
Riley was actually pushed into a forward position towards the latter end of the season.
Just heard he played 3 games attacking midfield. Thanks for the correction tho. Still an incredible tally by a midfielder.
I actually thought there was room for rochford but in terms of consistency and goals Sandy was better and well Riley is just on a different level in terms of effiency. He can literally win you a game.
Yohannes, as well Shaquille John, impressed me with Shiva this season. But there was some very stiff competition in the midfield area of the pitch
Isiah Hudson you look tired
What about Yohannes Richardson from Shiva Boys
Not everyone can get in. Roneil K Walcott has seen more games than me. But I saw Shiva play about three times.
I think Yohannes is an effective player. But I don’t think I would have selected him either ahead of players like Shane Sandy, Riley and Pappy.
Riley is a good player, in fact he was my player of the season along with Naps captain Basdeo but against Naps he disappeared when needed. Richardson was always there for Shiva
Joshua Marshall well done bro (y)
Yea bro thanks
I believe the following should be mentioned, Shemar Ravello – St. Benedict’s utility player, John-Paul Rochford – QRC midfielder & Levi Fernandes – Naps goalkeeper
Hudson was tremendous on a very strong team. Riley was a handful i loved watching him play. Its between both of those guys tbh. In terms of consistency.
Very respectable list Lasana Liburd. On point as always.
Credit Roneil K Walcott… And if necessary, cuss him too! Lol.
He did more SSFL reports than me this season, so it was right for him to select the best performers in his opinion.
lol nah don’t cuss him :v
In terms of effiency my award goes to Riley. He rallied pres with his leadership and crucial goals
Kareem riley bagged 10 goals this season from defensive midfield. He has a thunderbolt.
Yeah he really does have a thunderbolt. Good accuracy too
Hudson from penal
Well done Isaiah Hudson
Thanks g
Yea man
Smh this rig
Why you say that Judah?
Lasana -No place for my nephew from St. Augustine – Isaiah Lee? I think you need ah redo?
Great list but Shane Sandy both feet are powerful
I’m a lil bit shocked we finished second and coutou only got an honorable mention but naps had a great year
Can never fully satisfy Jomo :v
Lol ??
think of it as an improvement from last year lol
Unfortunate to see Brent Sam’s name on that list. What he still doing dey? SMH.
And he finished the season trophy less eh. And behind a 15 year Naparima school boy.
Pappy gets an honorable mention?… With his exploits I would have thought he would have made the starting 11… Also not to be biased, but Poon Lewis is the most composed SSFL keeper I’ve seen for sometime, it’s like QRC has 2 last stoppers. He is also very brave. What about Ethan Shim?… Yuh is d editor Lasana, yuh didnt write the article, but yuh have d final say… yuh eh make space fuh a CIC man dey! lol
Lol. I might have made a case for Chinua Bernard too who is my favourite Saint these days!
No space for John-Paul Rochford either eh Roneil K Walcott?! Lol. Everyone can’t get in I suppose.
Teflon looking to start bacchanal lol