Fatima go top of North Zone; Fatima 2 - 0 QRC

Fatima College moved to the top of the North Zone standings after a comfortable 2-0 victory over QRC today at Fatima Grounds. Conditions were wet after some early heavy showers and that played a significant part in Fatima's second goal of the day.

Fatima must now wait until Monday to see if they will be crowned North Zone champions when Mucurapo go up against Trinity. A draw for 'Compre' would be enough to see them claim the North Zone title due to their superior goal difference.

Fatima controlled the tempo of the game from the beginning to the end against a QRC team that failed to truly threaten the Fatima goal. Fatima striker, Chad De Freitas, Ross Russell and Kaejay Ramdoo, coming forward from the left back position created all sorts of problems for the QRC defense, but were found lacking on the final touch on several occasions.

Their fortunes changed in the 20th minute when a De Freitas shot from close range was parried down by the QRC goalkeeper, Kareem Joseph onto the feet of Ross Russell who was breaking into the box from the wing. The youngster maintained his composure despite being under tremendous pressure from the QRC defenders and managed to place his shot in the back of the net to give his team the deserved 1-0 lead.

The first half ended1-0 despite Fatima having several chances to add to their tally, but Kareem Joseph between the QRC posts put in a man-of-the-match performance with some spectacular saves.

The second half was almost identical to the first with Fatima again dictating the pace of the game and enjoying the lion's share of the ball possession. QRC did create a few more opportunities but the Fatima defenders were never under any real pressure for the second period.

Fatima got the safety cushion they were looking for in the 67th minute through a bit of luck when Russell turned provider with a high looping cross into the path of Chad De Freitas. Kareem Joseph should have collected the ball comfortably, but he slipped due on the wet, slick surface and went down leaving De Freitas with the simplest of tasks to put the ball into the back of the empty net.

De Freitas never gave up on the cross even when it looked like a simple job for the keeper to collect, and he was rewarded for his determination with a goal. Fatima fans will now be eagerly awaiting their fate on Monday.

Justin Henry

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