MANNING CUP: ‘We will give it our all,’ vows Haile Selassie captain Dewar
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Haile Selassie High School, who are coached by Reggae Boyz legend, Linval ‘Ruddy’ Dixon, will step into unknown territory when they begin the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup quarterfinal round, today.
The school made history when they defeated Excelsior High 2-1 on aggregate in the round of 16 of the competition and their captain Joshua Dewar, who scored the equaliser in the return leg to make it 1-1 and secure a spot in the final eight, is determined to continue writing history.
“We will give it our all in the quarterfinals,” Dewar said, after his man-of-the-match performance helped to guide his team past Excelsior last weekend.
Dewar is grateful to be under the tutelage of Dixon, who has helped to boost his confidence significantly.
“It’s a great feeling. He is a great coach. He teaches me a lot. He gave me the (arm) band. I have learned a lot from him,” he explained.
Dewar’s most telling contribution in the match was a significant moment in the school’s history, something in which he delights.
“Well, it’s a great feeling to know that I scored the goal that made us move on to the quarter final,” said Dewar.
Excelsior took a first half lead which left the tie on a knife’s edge with 45 minutes left to play and Dewar said that neither he nor his teammates lost confidence in their chances to advance despite the state of the game.
“We just stuck to the coach’s instructions and came out and got the job done. We didn’t drop our heads. …We just listened and knew what we were coming out here to do. We wanted it more than them, so we got the job done,” Dewar said.
The Haile Selassie supporters were out in the numbers for the game which added to the atmosphere and gave confidence to Dewar and his teammates to execute the job.
“It’s a great feeling, a great feeling, they are always here, big up the fans. It gave me more confidence to take the ball and dribble two and pass it or kick, yeah it gave me more confidence,” he acknowledged.
Though they are in the final eight for the very first time, Haile Selassie is not there just to enjoy the moment and make up numbers.
“Well, we would like to win the Manning Cup. All we have to do is hold up our heads and do it,” Dewar remarked.
Haile Selassie will begin their quarterfinal campaign with a game against St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) at the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College starting at 4:15 pm, this after the blockbuster clash between hosts Jamaica College and Wolmer’s Boys starting at 2:00 pm.
