An unexpected championship showdown is set for Saturday, January 17th at the SLFA Technical Centre in Grande Riviere, Dennery, as underdog Dennery and tournament favorites Anse La Raye advanced through dramatic semifinal matches in the Saint Lucia Football Association’s Under-15 Girls Championship.
In a remarkable display of determination, the Dennery squad achieved a stunning 2-0 victory over Desruisseaux despite playing with only ten players for the entire match. The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when an unfortunate own goal from Desruisseaux’s Paisley Mc Fairlane put Dennery ahead. Trudy Joseph secured the impressive win with a clinical second strike in the 25th minute, demonstrating exceptional composure against the numerical disadvantage.
Dennery’s head coach Ruphinia Joseph praised her team’s extraordinary resilience, stating, ‘Facing this challenge with reduced numbers required tremendous mental strength. These players have internalized that nothing is impossible when you maintain focus and determination. Their performance today proves their championship mentality.’
Coach Joseph expressed overwhelming confidence in her squad’s potential, adding, ‘These exceptionally talented athletes represent the future of national football. Our rigorous training regimen and winning mentality have prepared us thoroughly for the final challenge.’
The second semifinal delivered equal drama as Anse La Raye and Soufriere battled through regulation time without scoring. The deadlock continued until penalty kicks, where Anse La Raye emerged victorious with a 3-2 shootout triumph. This marked the second consecutive draw between these teams, following their 1-1 group stage encounter.
Anse La Raye coach Jovette Wilson acknowledged areas for improvement despite the victory: ‘Our defensive organization requires refinement before the final. Having previously defeated Dennery in tournament play, we understand the tactical approach needed for success. Our focus now turns to addressing defensive vulnerabilities while maintaining our offensive threat.’
The tournament concludes next weekend with Desruisseaux facing Soufriere in the third-place playoff before the championship final between these two contrasting teams—Dennery’s inspirational underdog story versus Anse La Raye’s established tournament pedigree.