Jamaica College (JC) became the second team to qualify for the semi-final of the ISSA Wata Manning Cup on Wednesday, despite not kicking a ball, as Excelsior High’s 3-1 win over Hydel in the lone gameearlier that day paved the way.

JC had one foot in the semi-final after emphatically brushing aside Charlie Smith 4-0 on Tuesday, and raced to the top of Zone A with six points.

Charlie Smith was second on three points after their second game, with both Excelsior and Hydel pointless after one game. But both played on Wednesday, and had Hydel won, JC would have to wait until their final Zone A game against Hydel to secure their spot.

However, Excelsior’s comprehensive 3-1 win paved the way for JC to join Eltham High as the only two teams that have booked their spots in the semi-finals.

JC’s coach, Raymond Watson, told Our Today they are taking it one day at a time and aren’t focusing on the other teams.

“We knew once we got the second game out of the way, we would automatically qualify for the semi-final so irrespective of the result between them, we were just trying to stay within ourselves,” said Watson. “We are confident we can go all the way. We just have to take it one game at a time.”

JC, the most successful school in the Manning Cup with 29 titles, followed by St George’s College on 21 and Kingston College with 17, will face Hydel High on Friday, looking to keep their perfect record and wrap up top spot heading into the semis.

There will be three other quarterfinal games, which will decide the last two semi-finalists as Vauxhall face STATHS with both teams on three points and looking to join Eltham High from Zone B, while Excelsior and Charlie Smith clash with both teams on three points and looking to join JC from Zone A.