Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

With Rusea's already securing one slot, seven quarter-final round places - five group winners and the two top second-place finishers - will be at stake this afternoon when the inter-zone round of the 2006 ISSA/Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup concludes with six games.

With Rusea's winning Group One following their 2-0 win against Cedric Titus, which lifted them to an unassailable six points, the attention is now squarely on the other five groups, where the teams in contention will be battling to keep their championship aspirations alive.

Do-or-die situation

While teams such as Group Four leaders Clarendon College and Group Six front-runners Titchfield could lose today and still advance to the quarter-final by copping the two best second-place finishers slots, it will be a do-or-die situation for the other teams seeking to top the other zones.

The potential match of the day is the big Group Five match-up between Glenmuir and Bog Walk, who are locked atop the group standings with six points each.

Clarendon College (6), with back-to-back 3-1 and 1-0 wins over St. Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) and Decarteret, respectively, should complete their inter-zone campaign with a win against Holmwood (1) to top their group. Titchfield (6), with 2-1 and 2-0 wins against Garvey Maceo and Charlemont, respectively, should do the same with a victory against Oracabessa (0).

On target

"We are extremely confident of winning the group," said Clarendon College's coach Kevin Williams. "Our main aim is to win the daCosta Cup and we believe we are on target."

In Group Three, leaders Spaldings (4) could make things easy for themselves with a win against Denbigh (3), which would give them an unassailable seven points and a quarter-final-round place. However, a defeat or a draw for Spaldings could land them in trouble and open the door for either Manchester High (3) or Denbigh to advance.

Ben Francis Cup champions Frome Technical, who are locked atop the Group Two standings with Ocho Rios on four points each, could see their bid for the rural double - daCosta Cup and Ben Francis Cup - disappear if they fail to beat Grange Hill (3) in their Westmoreland derby.

Goal difference

The situation would be same for Ocho Rios should they lose to Herbert Morrison (0).

However, should both Frome and Ocho Rios emerge victorious, they would both complete the fixture with seven points, leaving goal difference to decide the zone winner.

The team with the inferior goal difference would then be a safe bet to advance as one of the two best second-place finishers.

GAMES

Petersfield vs Rusea's at Frome Sports Ground

(1:00 p.m.)

Frome vs. Grange Hill at Frome Sports Ground (3:00 p.m.)

Ocho Rios vs. Herbert Morrison at Drax Hall

(3:00 p.m.)

Spaldings vs. Denbigh at Manchester High

(3:00 p.m.)

Glenmuir vs. Bog Walk at Brancourt (1:00 p.m.)

Clarendon College vs. Holmwood at Brancourt

(3:00 p.m.)

Tacky vs. Port Antonio at Eastern Banana (3:00 p.m.)

Titchfield vs. Oracabessa at Carder Park (3:00 p.m.)

Munro vs. Manchester at STETHS (1:00 p.m.)

DeCarteret vs. STETHS at STETHS (3:00 p.m.)

Charlemont vs. Garvey Maceo

at Dinthill ( 3:00 p.m.)

William Knibb vs. Cedric Titus at Elliston Wakeland

(3:00 p.m.)