Kingston College (KC), Calabar High and Excelsior High will bow into action today in the second set of matches of the urban area ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup football competition.

Favourites to advance from their respective groups and into the semi-final round of the competition, KC will entertain Ardenne High at North Street, Calabar will oppose Campion College at Red Hills Road, while Excelsior will welcome the challenge of Tarrant at Mountain View Avenue.

"We are expecting nothing less than a win as a win would set us up well in the early stages as we aim to get out of the group," said KC coach Wayne Fairclough.

National youth players Rohan Roye, Jamie Hyde and Rashane Garcia are expected to lead KC's charge.

In the Calabar versus Campion match-up, the former will be seeking to capitalise on the fact that they will be at home and, according to assistant coach Lijyasu Simms, they want three points.

Thinking positive

"We are looking for a positive start. We will also be taking every team seriously as Calabar have set a standard over the last couple of years of making the semi-finals and we want to maintain that," said Simms.

In other matches, Norman Manley will play Haile Selassie at Tinson Pen, Trench Town will travel to Cumberland and Jose Marti will host St Jago.

"We are taking this first match very, very serious. It could set the tone for the rest of the competition and if we can win it would be good for us," said St Jago's coach, Jermaine Thomas, who is hopeful of a semi-final appearance.

The competition got under way last Saturday with defending champions St George's College and Eltham High playing to a 1-1 draw at Jarrett Park.