Kingston College continue to enjoy a purple patch in football as they beat Excelsior High 2-1 yesterday in the historic final of the Gatorade 5v5 football tournament played at Barbican playing field.

The “Purples” willl now represent Jamaica at the World finals of the competition in Madrid, Spain, in May.

Qwayne Williams was on target in the first half before Excelsior equalised through an own goal midway the second half, sending the game into extra time. Gavin Burton scored the decider as the Manning Cup champions held on for the victory.

Kingston College’s Coach Raymond Watson was overjoyed. “Can’t find the words to explain how good this feels,” he said. “Thanks to my principal who pushed us, as I was not interested initially. No training was done. I hand-picked the players based in past performances, and they delivered.”

Coach Daniel Riley of Excelsior was not totally disappointed. “We would have loved to win but it wasn’t to be,” he said. “At the end of the day we were second. Hats off to the boys, who tried really hard.”

The three-day five-a-side tournament, played between teams aged 14-16 years old, provided good competitive action.

Excelsior qualified for the final after edging Clarendon College in the quarter-finals on penalties before dispatching MRC Academy in the semi-finals, while Kingston College were forced to knock out Calabar on penalties after tying 1-1 in the quarter-finlas. They then eliminated a good Garvey Maceo 1-0.

Garvey Maceo beat MRC Academy 3-1 for third.

The international finale gets under way in Madrid on May 27, ending June 2.

The players will attend the Champions League final as part of the package.