Papine High Head Coach Michael Blygen says his team will need to overcome major psychological challenges if they’re to defy the odds and qualify for the second round of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/Digicel Manning Cup football competition.

Papine were victorious on Monday with a 3-1 win over Norman Manley, thanks to goals from Joshua Samuels, La’Quam Reynolds and Robert White.

It’s the school’s first win of the season after suffering defeats in their opening two games including a 0-10 demolition at the hands of St George’s College.

In the school’s history, Papine have never made it past the group stage, though coming close on a few occasions.

Blygen, while pleased with his team, says a change of mindset is needed.

“To be frank, these youngsters lack mental toughness. They’re not used to the big occasions like when we play the better teams. They seem to break down mentally, so me and my assistant coach have to talk to the boys a lot, just to prepare them mentally because we realise they’re not strong enough psychologically,” he said.

However, he’s not giving up hope that they can topple some of the giants and make the next round. “We know that St George’s and St Catherine are the tough teams in the zone so we have to approach those games with caution. They have more quality than us, that’s the truth. We have to approach them strategically so we can even come out with a point. If we get three, it’s a big plus,” said Blygen.

It’s now three-straight losses for Norman Manley as they sit bottom of the group, but Head Coach Jahmoy Green, though hurt by the result, is hopeful things can turn around.

“We went behind in the game early. We came back in the second half, made some tweaks in the team and got it to 1-1. Opportunities came where we could have finished four or five goals but it’s a big defeat for me. It’s a really rough one because the boys don’t fight enough like I need them to do,” he said.

“It’s a really young team. We have seven under 14 players on the team so it’s a young team with a couple under 16 players around them to guide them throughout the season. I just have to hit back the drawing board and come again,” Green added.

MONDAY’S RESULTS

•Papine 3, Norman Manley 1

• Calabar 8, Kingston Technical 1

•Ardenne 0, Dunoon Park 4

TUESDAY’S GAMES

•Wolmer’s vs Tivoli @ Mico

•Edith Dalton vs St Jago @ Edith Dalton High

•Denham Town vs St Mary’s College @ STATHS

•Waterford vs Charlie Smith @ Waterford High

Norman Manley High Coach Jahmoy Green (Daniel Blake)