Butler wants Mona fighting spirit rekindled in JC clash
Published:Tuesday | November 22, 2022 | 12:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
The fighting spirit that has normally defined Mona High this season was lacking in their ISSA Champions Cup defeat on Saturday, according to head coach Craig Butler.
Nothing less than maximum effort will do as they face many-times champions Jamaica College in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup semi-final at the National Stadium today at 4 p.m. in their bid to make their first-ever Manning Cup final.
Butler was displeased with the lack of fight that was shown in that 3-1 loss to Champions Cup holders Clarendon College, a trait that is not in keeping with the identity of a team whose attacking play brought them to their first semi-final appearance in theschool’s history. It is a wake-up call that Butler hopes his team answers.
“I told them they need to do better. I need to do better. We will see what we can do against Jamaica College. It looks like KC were not enough [of a wake-up call] for them. I don’t mind ending my season early, but for me, I want to see these boys do well. And I know what it takes to go all the way,” Butler said.
Butler had previously stated that the battle against his alma mater would be a clash of ideals regarding the way that both teams have constructed their rosters. But he also believes that the deciding factor will be which team has the heart to fight till the last.
“At this stage, it is not who has the most skills or who can kick the ball the best, or who can dribble; it is about who wants it more. It is as simple as that,” Butler said. “They are talented players, but it is about who wants it more and who is not going to give up when things [are tough].”
Jamaica College head coach Davion Ferguson says that composure will be the key for his side to progress to yet another final against a Mona team known for their intensity.
“Our mentality does not change because of the opponent. Our focus is always on the game and we have to be humble. But while being humble, we are being ambitious at the same time to win the game and achieve what we want. I think Mona are a team that lives on the edge emotionally. They are a team that plays very intense, dynamic and direct,” Ferguson said. “It is about managing emotions and getting to the moment where we can enjoy the game.”
Meanwhile, defending champions Kingston College will take on St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) in the second game of the double-header at 6:15 p.m in a rematch of last season’s final, where they won 4-2. KC head coach Raymond Watson says that last season’s meeting will not have any bearing on how they approach the rematch, with STATHS head coach Philip Williams wanting to ensure that they keep the identity which has carried them all season.
“All we want to do is play our game. And that is something that we pride ourselves in, that we don’t allow any team to prevent us from playing the way we want to play,” Williams said.
Manning Cup semi-finals at National Stadium:
Jamaica College vs Mona High - 4 p.m.
Kingston College vs STATHS - 6:15 p.m.