SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — The first three qualifiers for the quarter-finals of the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup football competition will be decided today following the playing of the return-leg games of the second round.

Former champions St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) and Glenmuir High, as well as BB Coke will take leads into the matches and will be hoping to complete the jobs today.

STETHS will take a one-goal lead into their game against Irwin High at the St Elizabeth High Sports Complex, Glenmuir High have a 3-0 lead over Morant Bay High going home, while BB Coke lead Paul Bogle High 2-0 in their game set for York Oval.

While STETHS and Glenmuir High will be looking for back-to-back quarter-final qualification, BB Coke will be looking to return to the ‘third round’ for the first time since the 2019 season.

Irwin High, who are getting past the first round for only the second time but who are hoping to get into the quarter-finals for the first time, are confident they saw enough of STETHS in Friday’s close loss to overturn the lead.

A late penalty converted by Donte Campbell was the difference on Friday and Irwin’s coach Norman Foster said they are positive they can exploit cracks in the STETHS armour.

Irwin High created a number of good scoring opportunities on Friday but lacked the finishing touch, and if they are to achieve the improbable, Leo Campbell and Nicholas Samuels must step up in what could be the biggest game of their schoolboy careers.

Defensively, with the one exception late in the game when STETHS’ Antwone Smith was tripped inside their area, Irwin High were solid with Ajay Walters and Nicholas Fletcher keeping the STETHS attackers at bay.

Paul Bogle High, who are ranked 11 places higher than BB Coke, must play true to their ranking if they are to return to the quarter-finals after losing Friday’s first leg at STETHS.

Prior to Friday’s loss, Paul Bogle had conceded just twice, both to Morant Bay High in the first round and Demani Gordon who has scored more than half of their 32 goals, must step up for his team.

It would take a major upset to deny Glenmuir High their place in the quarter-finals and they should end Morant Bay High’s season with a fourth-straight loss after the St Thomas-based school had won their first four and were the first school to secure a place in the second round.

Morant Bay High ended their first-round schedule with losses to Yallahs High and Paul Bogle before losing Friday’s first leg and they will be playing catch up from the first whistle.

TODAY’S GAMES

STETHS vs Irwin High – STETHS 3:00 pm (0-1)

Paul Bogle High vs BB Coke High – York Oval 3:00 pm (0-2)

Glenmuir High vs Morant Bay High – Glenmuir High 3:00 pm (3-0)