BALLAZ-LIGUANEA FC have their eyes set on taking all three titles at the KSAFA/Valeo Youth Football tournament which will come to an end this weekend.

Following twelve weeks of action at the UWI-Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence the finalists were decided on Saturday after the semi-finals of all three age groups were played.

In the Under-13 semi-finals Ballaz had to battle past a determined Brown’s Town FC, with the game ending 3-2.

Ballaz took an early lead in the match but Browns Town turned things around to take a 2-1 lead. However, Ballaz, who were playing without a number of their first-string players, dug deep to score two unanswered goals and win the game.

In the other Under-13 semi-final, Norbrook Strikers got the better of New Kingston FC 6-5 on penalties after playing out a 1-1 draw. New Kingston scored after only 30 seconds and dominated the rest of the first half. But Norbrook responded in the second half and levelled from the penalty spot to send the match into a penalty shoot-out which they won in sudden death.

Ballaz and Norbrook have been having some fierce battles all year and this final is expected be another blockbuster.

In the Under-15 semi-finals, Ballaz continued their dominance over Kingston Football Academy, defeating them 2-1 on penalties after they played out a 0-0 draw. Both teams played some good football, showing very good tactical awareness, but found it difficult to break down each other’s defence.

There were gilt-edged chances that both teams spurned but in the end, Ballaz were able to hold their nerve in the penalty shoot-out and advanced to the final.

In the other semi-final Benders Academy blanked Norbrook Strikers 3-0. The scoreline suggests a one-sided contest though it was anything but. However, Benders were much more efficient in front of goal, taking their chances to advance to the final in style.

As in both of their previous semi-finals, Ballaz had to fight to make it to the Under-17 final. They came up against a determined Valeo/Barbican team that were left cursing their luck. Ballaz went ahead through a well-taken goal but came close to conceding either side of half-time when Valeo hit the frame of the goal on two occasions. In addition to that, there was a goal line clearance that spared the blushes of the winners.

The other semi-final proved to be a cakewalk for a well-organised Harbour View team which is also missing players who are away on tour. They ripped apart Benders 4-0 to set up what could be the best final on Saturday when they go up against Ballaz/Liguanea.

Ballaz Coach Michael Blygen , ho had his hands full coaching all three teams on Saturday, says it has been a team effort that has led to Ballaz’s success at the tournament.

“It’s been a lot of hard work in training. The players listen to the coaches, put out the work, and go on the pitch and deliver.”

The total success comes from the process of development at the club, he explained.

“We have these players from a tender age. We have them from they are six, seven, eight years old, coming through the system, so they understand what the coaches want.

“I am very happy for the boys. All these years of practising over and over [is] truly paying off, so I am very grateful.”

Blygen also hailed the squad depth as a lot of their senior players are overseas in Spain playing in an international tournament.

“The depth of the team is very good. That is what I like about the squads — all three age groups — because for the Under-17 I have nine players in Spain playing, and the other boys stepped up to the plate and delivered. The same thing with Under-14, we have five starting players away and the others stepped up so the depth is very good.”

The players away in Spain are expected back on the island soon and they will be just in time for the finals. Blygen will have one thing on his mind on Saturday.

“I am looking forward to winning all three cups. We want to win it all — that is our objective, to win all three.”

The path to the three-trophy sweep will not be easy as they will come up against three formidable opponents on Saturday. However, having lost just once this term (in the Under-13 category), confidence will be high that they can do the unthinkable and win all three trophies.

— Dwayne Richards