Intercol 2017: Dance, Pappy, dance! Tyrel magic lifts Shiva Boys past San Juan North

A super double strike from Shiva Boys’ Hindu College midfield general Tyrel “Pappy” Emmanuel settled the 2017 Coca Cola National Intercol final this evening, the “Penal Princes” downing defending champions San Juan North Secondary 2-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

It meant a maiden National Intercol title for Shiva Boys, whose Premier Division title challenge was derailed by backroom mismanagement after errors in the registration of midfielder Kierron Mason and left-back Matthew Beal.

Photo: Shiva Boys’ Hindu College midfielder Tyrel “Pappy” Emmanuel (left) celebrates his opening goal during Coca Cola National Intercol final action against San Juan North Secondary at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 4 December 2017.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Shiva Boys will compete in the second tier Championship Division next season and, remarkably, this evening’s contest was the third time in four years that a relegation-bound team lifted the Intercol trophy. Mucurapo East Secondary did it in 2014 and San Juan North in 2016—although the latter team managed to stay up thanks to boardroom manoeuvring.

Today, before another 3,000-strong crowd in Couva, San Juan rarely looked like repeating their feat from last year and mostly troubled Shiva from set pieces. Last year’s National Intercol final match-winner Brandon Semper cut a frustrating figure for most of the contest, and time and time again, he and his attacking partner Renaldo Boyce were made to tough it out against the Shiva backline.


Although on Friday Boyce had emphatically stated that the National Intercol trophy would be heading to the East with the boys from Bourg Mulatresse, today proved to be Shiva’s date with destiny.

Last Thursday, the Penal Princes took their fans through a rollercoaster of emotions when they battled back from a one-goal deficit to get past Carapichaima East Secondary on penalty kicks. And while some extra palpitations would have been caused by Quinn Rodney’s dazzling runs down the left flank and a 38th minute Pappy effort that crashed off the bar after a fingertip save by San Juan keeper Shawndell Byer, today’s contest was easier to stomach for the faint-hearted among the Shiva contingent.

Photo: San Juan North Secondary goalkeeper Shawndell Byer (centre) pushes a shot from Shiva Boys’ Hindu College midfielder Tyrel Emmanuel on to the bar during Coca Cola National Intercol final action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 4 December 2017.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Pappy saw to that in the second half, producing two clinical left-footed strikes in the 68th and 79th minutes to settle the outcome.

Shiva coach Hayden Ryan could not be a happier man.

“It’s a feeling of jubilation right now and I can’t finish expressing that enough,” Ryan said. “I told the boys in the room that one team will be crying after the last whistle and I knew that it would not be us because we were ready for this game and we showed Trinidad and Tobago and the world that we were ready for this game.”

The first golden swing of Pappy’s left boot came after substitute Tyrell Baptiste dispossessed a San Juan defender just outside the area before passing to the speedy Rodney. And while San Juan coach Jerry Moe suggested that his players shot themselves in the foot with the defensive error, a gleeful Pappy made no mistake, receiving Rodney’s accurate square pass from the left before kissing his shot off the base of the post and into the back of the net.

“The first goal was as a result of a mistake and we were chasing the game for the second goal so that didn’t really matter,” Moe told Wired868. “But the first goal was the turning point in the game.”

Photo: Shiva Boys’ Hindu College captain Judah Garcia (centre) and his teammates celebrate with the Coca Cola National Intercol trophy after a 2-0 win over San Juan North at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 4 December 2017.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

As Ryan put it, his gifted midfielder was able “to seize the moment” when two glorious opportunities came his way. San Juan, however, tellingly, were unable to capitalise on their half-chances.


“I think today we didn’t do enough in their 18-yard box [to win the game],” Moe said. “That final pass was lacking and [we didn’t get] those shots on target. Kudos to Shiva Boys’ because they did better than us inside their 18-yard box.”

With the game still goalless in the 43rd minute, Boyce, who had scored in every Intercol round up until today, sent a left-footed shot straight at Shiva goalie Denzil Smith—albeit from a tight—after skipping past a wild Ronald Charles challenge and initially rounding the custodian.

And after a goal-bound Boyce was stopped dead in his tracks by a brilliant Yohannes Richardson tackle in the 47th minute, Moe looked on in agony as, mere moments later, a sweet right-footed volley by midfielder Lukeman Brooks sailed just over the bar.

In a game where chances were few and far between for the defending National Intercol champions, chances like those had to count.

Photo: San Juan North Secondary forward and captain Renaldo Boyce (centre) tries to manoeuvre between Shiva Boys’ Hindu College midfielders Kierron Mason (left) and Tyrel “Pappy” Emmanuel (right) during the Coca Cola National Intercol final at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 4 December 2017.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

The 2016 Premier Division champions were intent on ensuring that their opponents could find no way back into the contest, though, and after Rodney sent a close-range volley well over the bar in the 57th minute, Pappy stepped up.

Not satisfied with his first item, Pappy notched his brace in the 79th minute after receiving a well-disguised pass from Mason. He checked inside defender Isaiah Chase and stylishly stroked past Byer.

It was all part of the plan for Ryan and Shiva.

“I think we made some adjustments at half-time that put the team in a stronger position to dominate the game,” Ryan said. “I think one or two of the midfielders were going too high and we needed to bring them back to hold the midfield. And allowing those guys to play football and pushing Pappy higher up brought the result.”

With no time to bother about having had to pick the ball out of his net, Byer saved brilliantly with his feet to deny Shiva striker Junior Asson in the 83rd minute. Meanwhile, Semper’s search for a consolation item on the other end came up short when his 35-metre free kick just sailed over Smith’s crossbar.

At the blast of referee Rodphin Harris’ final whistle, some San Juan players sprawled out on the turf, left inconsolable by the final result.

Photo: Shiva Boys’ Hindu College midfielder Tyrel Emmanuel (foreground) is congratulated by teammate Kierron Mason as he celebrates his opening goal during Coca Cola National Intercol final action against San Juan North Secondary at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 4 December 2017.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

But Moe suggested that his charges should take this loss on the chin.

“When I win, I don’t get carried away and when I lose I don’t get carried away,” Moe said. “This is just a football game; life goes on. We just have to wheel and come again. Basically, it’s to let the players keep their heads up because there are more important things in life than football.”

And while the truth of Moe’s comments should not be underestimated, his message may resonate with Boyce and company this evening. They will be acutely aware that they made the trek from Bourg Mulatresse and played their part in an exciting final today but they had no answer for “Pappy” as his second-half goals allowed Shiva Boys to end 2017 with broad smiles and an even bigger trophy.

Ryan and his Shiva charges were able to pull off a major victory on the field of play and exorcise some demons which spawned by their own off-the-field mismanagement. The newly-crowned National Intercol champs are set for Championship action next year but Ryan is looking forward to the task with great zest.

“Of course I’ll be here. As long as they bring me back, I’ll be here,” said Ryan. “This is my team. I love it. I love to support the Penal-based grassroots teams. The grassroots team arrived tonight.”

Can fans expect players such as Pappy, Smith and skipper Judah Garcia to turn out in the Championship Division next year too?

Photo: Shiva Boys’ Hindu College supporters cheer on their team celebrates his opening goal during Coca Cola National Intercol final action against San Juan North Secondary at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 4 December 2017.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

“The nucleus of the team will be back for next year,” said a beaming Ryan. “Anywhere this team goes, they will go. This is their team.”

In about ten months’ time, the SSFL followers will see if Shiva really remains a potent force. For now, the Penal Princes will simply bask in the glory of winning their maiden National Intercol title.

(Teams)

Shiva Boys’ Hindu College (4-3-3): 22.Denzil Smith (GK); 32.Ronald Charles, 19.Yohannes Richardson,3.Jabari Graham, 14.Matthew Beal; 15.Kierron Mason, 6.Tyrel Emmanuel, 10.Judah Garcia (captain); 17.Ronado Edwards (9.Tyrell Baptiste 63), 11.Junior Asson, 7.Quinn Rodney.

Unused Substitutes: 1.Jasse Aguillera (GK), 5.Anderson Peters, 8.Jude Phillip, 20.Adica Ash, 21.Aaron Rodney, 23.Jeremy Williams.

Coach: Hayden Ryan

San Juan North (4-4-1-1): 1.Shawndell Byer (GK); 20.Isaiah Chase, 7.Josiah Beard, 21.Kyle Thomas, 17.Kareem John; 8.Lukeman Brooks (16.Obadele Dickson 80), 22.Nathaniel Perouse, 3.Elair Brewster, 2.Tyrell Cameron (4.Kareem Grant 80); 6.Brandon Semper; 9.Renaldo Boyce (captain).

Unused Substitutes: 30.Emmanuel Clarke (GK), 5.Keon McPherson, 13.Marcus Berot, 15.Jordan Britto, 19.Sherwin Williams.

Coach: Jerry Moe

Referee: Rodphin Harris

Wired868 Man-of-the-Match: Tyrel “Pappy” Emmanuel

Coca Cola National Intercol final

(Monday 4 December)

Shiva Boys’ Hindu College 2 (Tyrel Emmanuel 68, 79), San Juan North Secondary 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium.

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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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103 comments

  1. Well done Shiva for attractive attacking, possession football…a great fluid display..made the game a joy to watch

    • Yep…….Even as a San Juan supporter one had to acknowledge that Shiva’s football was attractive. I’m intimately aware of the skill sets of half of the San Juan team and the fact that their most influential play maker was benched for the remainder of the season for disciplinary reasons, yet i’m not of the opinion that they were given the opportunity to play their best football. One striker against four of the more competent defenders in the league was laughable and fruitless. when on occasion San Juan sought to possess the ball and play into zones they were more potent but it was too scarce. in the absence of the midfielder who was missing the right back Isaiah Chase is a real midfield organiser and attacking player, yet it took two goals and fifteen frantic remaining minutes for the coach to move him up to the midfield, where he actually caused Shiva to have to resort to a more defensive structure. Prior to that No 3 was basically left all alone against three Shiva Midfielders with occasional help from No 6 Yes Tim, the ball doesn’t lie…more systematic service would have made Boyce a more effective attacking force because the boy could play. had they been encouraged to play more possession football the game would have been different , notwithstanding the fact that they missed goals which incidentally came from defensive mistakes and not purposeful attacking play.

  2. I wonder if Sat Maharaj sent congratulations to the boys.

  3. Shiva boys had a very good striker a couple of years ago can’t remember his name what became of him????

  4. They deserved to be champ they ball possession is very good for young men well done lads

  5. Watching this final I saw some good players for the future,like pappy,garcia,broke,semper,boyce.Been a San Juan fan from lil boy but Shiva wanted this last night

  6. I took some sweats with this Coach….He like good attacking football…Congrats HR..

  7. Hard luck San Juan congrats the boy’s from south

  8. The service to Boyce, who had on the wrong boots, was never on point

  9. ..And congrats to a deserving Shiva. San Juan never looked like winning..

  10. ..After Super League season done I could join this talk. LOL Rules is rules. But some people like to use them or side step them conveniently..

  11. Listen the issue of a vote to keep up Dan Juan eas not imprumptu i knew of the move a week in advance people eere called and askef to support the motion. The influence of Taylor and Fraser is what kept San Juan in the top flight. I say again if i was principal Dakal Anand Ramlogan would be talking to tge ssfl today

  12. Go and look back at protests made against the 2 Shiva Boys players from the newspapers on on Wired 868, look at the schools that protested and look at the times the protests were made….In fact, Shiva Boys manager has taken a decision not challenge the decisions any further…..I think if they do the school will win…

  13. How so Keith Clement. Please Explain

  14. ..Yes, they can since they were penalised for the same offence more than once and that is unfair……

  15. Thanks for this report. Comprehensive and professional and made me feel part of the game that I missed.

  16. Or so Shiva could end up back in top flight football. Wow!

  17. Well done Shiva Boys and Wired 868.

  18. Brian about the timing of the Motion, most constitution has an item called Other Business and a member can raise any issue they want at that pointed once it was not addressed earlier on the agenda of items.

  19. Brian the Motion was not to change the Constitution it was that “The decision of the SSFL to demote San Juan was unfair since it was done after the season ended and while the team was in preparation”….the team was right because when the season ended they were not one of the demoted teams. And, by the way, those are issues that members can see address for at General Council meetings.

  20. ..and Germaine this SSFL need cleaning up a long time ago, remember this league had schools like John D, Sando Tech and many others and it was all about football and not school…this has been going for more than 25 years…

  21. Two things. Never heard of a motion to temporarily change a “constitution” before, but ok man. Also, if I recall the motion was impromptu and not an item previously scheduled for a vote at the meeting. Sounds like a couple precedences were set. Take care.

  22. Round pegs in the round holes. I hear you.

  23. Timothy I just think San Juan was lucky that it had a General Council and they raised the issue and were successful….that all to it.

  24. Germaine it was not a dangerous precedent because what the SSFL executive did was wrong. You cannot wait until a season is over and a few months before the new season start and while a team is training to tell them that you just decided that they are out. That is why the SSFL made every move this year to avoid a repeat. the 2017 season has ended there will be surprises like 2016.

  25. Keith Clement it really kool if folks are ok with that decision.

  26. Brian when a motion is moved and seconded then the meeting vote in favour of or not…the meeting voted that San Juan be one of the teams for the 2017 season.

  27. That would have been another dangerous precedent Germaine Clarke Raymond, not so?

  28. A dangerous precedent was set last year, by allowing San Juan to stay up. In both years the standings were affected by off the field decisions rather than on the field action. I personally am disappointed that a quality team like Shiva was relegated because the SSFL rule that was breached in their case did not give them an unfair advantage and consideration should have been given to this.

  29. When was the decision to demote San Juan made Keith Clement?

  30. Was motion or vote constitutional Keith?

  31. Good to see Pappy showing form after his injury plague season

  32. who wants it more got it congrats to your team work

  33. Well the playing rules had nothing to do with it, it was a general council meeting and it was a motion moved based on the SSFL constitution…San Juan claim that it was unfair to demote after the season ended and while they were preparing for the 2017 league and the meeting agreed with them. Their point is very valid and that is why the SSFL made every effort to not repeat that mistake in 2017.

  34. We establish that Keith Clement. What is being questioned is if the rules and regulations of SSFL allow for such.

  35. Hey Justin San Juan stayed up because they protested an SSFL decision to demote them after the season ended in 2016 and at a General Council meeting they moved a motion on that basis and got the meeting to agree with them. That’s how they stayed up, it had nothing to do with being InterCol champions.

  36. If I was the principal of Shiva Ramlogan or Ramesh would be on the case John Trinipelvic Patterson

  37. Congratulations to the boys from Penal

  38. Clear & concise ! Good job wire868 for keeping us informed on the Secondary Schools Football all season.

  39. Good writing for a great secondary school team- Shiva Boys Hindu College.

  40. Congrats to Shiva Boys. They wanted it more on the night and they played out heart for it. San Juan North missed crucial chances but that’s football that’s life…they had a commendable season and they inspired the school and the community. The real success will be harnessing the abundance of secondary school football talent to launch into an effective youth football program leading to the national senior team level…let’s take pages from the football powerhouses who have done it.

  41. Since you believe that Justin, let Shiva bring their case forward!

  42. Now the action begins so San Juan stayed up because they were intercol champs what happens now with Shiva. The can of worms was opened last year

  43. I was backing the east but credit to Shiva Boys. They were the better team for most of the 90

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