Left: Allan Ottey of St James. Right: St George's Shamar Shelton. - File

THE STAGE is set for today's big showdown when Manning Cup champions, St George's College face daCosta Cup winners, St James High, in the first leg of the all-island Olivier Shield.

The match, which is expected to be a keenly contested affair, will be played at the Constant Spring Sports Complex starting at 3 p.m. The second leg will be played on Saturday in Montego Bay.

The North Street-based team secured its first hold on the Manning Cup in 15 years with an exciting 2-0 victory over defending champions Jamaica College in the final three weeks ago at the National Stadium.

"We are very confident because the team is where we want it to be at this time," said Marcel Gayle, assistant coach of St George's College.

Very cautious

"We are also very cautious because we know that St James High are a good team, but we have to make sure that we secure our home advantage by winning this game," said Gayle.

He also said the team's preparations had been going according to plan and the players were ready and rearing to go.

"We are going out there to play our style of football, which we have been playing all season, and once we do this, then we should come away with the victory," he said. Captain Kemal Malcolm, along with Shamar Shelton, will once again lead the Light Blues' hunt for goals, while Kemar Cummings, Carl Reid and Dan Evans are the top three in midfield. Brehmer Harris and Addino Chambers will take charge in defence.

Seeking triple crown

St James, who are seeking their first 'triple crown', won the first daCosta Cup on Saturday by defeating Spaldings 2-0 in the final. They also claimed the Ben Francis Knockout trophy earlier in the season.

"We are very confident that we can go all the way," said Hugh Solomon, coach of St James.

Solomon added that he has not seen the St George's College team in action and knows nothing about them.

"If you want to be the best you have to beat the best at any time and anywhere and I believe that we are the best team in the country," said Solomon.

Allan Ottey and Nicholi Barrett, who have 43 goals between them, will be spearheading the hunt for goals, while Ricardo Morrison and Ajohn Barker will lead the charge in midfield for St James.