Waite

Bender

Former champions Charlie Smith High and Camperdown High will square off in a big clash in Group D that is shaping up to be the group of 'death' in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/LIME Manning Cup football competition at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Trench Town, today, starting at 3:30 p.m.

After two games, four teams are on four points in Group D. They are defending champions St George's College, Camperdown, Charlie Smith and Vauxhall. However, St George's hold the advantage with a superior goal difference.

Hence, each game in this highly competitive group is very crucial as the teams battle for two automatic spots to advance to the next stage. The other teams in the group are Donald Quarrie and Oberlin - both without a point.

"Well, this group is clearly the group of death. Every game is crucial. We have a young team that is raring to go," Jerome Waite, head coach of Charlie Smith High, told STAR Sports yesterday.

"We are not expected to be serious contenders as we are in a rebuilding process. This game tomorrow (today) against Camperdown can go a far way towards deciding the teams that advance to the next stage," reasoned Waite, who guided Charlie Smith to the title in 1995.

Meanwhile, Christopher Bender, coach of Camperdown, is also fully aware of the importance of each game in Group D.

"Every game is shaping up to be very important in this group. It's important to continue what we are doing. We are going there for a positive result although playing away. We always play to win," Bender said.

In the other games in the group, St George's are expected to win easily against Donald Quarrie, while Vauxhall are fancied to beat Oberlin High.

Today's games

Group C

Papine vs Denham Town

Kingston Technical vs St Catherine

Wolmer's Boys vs Clan Carthy High

Group D

Charlie Smith vs Camperdown

Donald Quarrie vs St George's

Vauxhall vs Oberlin

Group F

Greater Portmore vs Spanish Town

Penwood vs Eltham

(Home teams are named first and all games kick off at 3:30 p.m.)