Today’s Alberga Cup semi-finals signal the approaching climax of the JISA National Under-12 football season with defending double champions Mona Prep still on course for a repeat of last year’s all-conquering performance, after surviving a scare in their hotly contested Henriques Cup knockout semi-final against Hillel Academy on Saturday.

Mona, who are now the only team that can win both competitions this year, will today face first-time semi-finalists El Instituto in the Alberga Cup, in a match that they are expected to win comfortably. They were, however, made to sweat on Saturday as the top four teams in the Henriques Cup knockout tournament faced off at the American International School in Kingston.

In Saturday’s opening match, Lannaman’s Prep — who missed out on an Alberga Cup semi-final spot — made up for it in the Henriques Cup by holding their nerve to defeat Sts Peter and Paul on penalties in the knockout tournament, after both teams were locked at 0-0 after regulation and extra time.

The Mona vs Hillel clash produced one of the best matches of the season as both heavyweights traded blows throughout a fiery and highly competitive encounter that ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time. However, the experienced Mona team held their nerve to get the better of Hillel from the spot and set up a clash against Lannaman’s in the knockout final on Wednesday at Liberty Academy.

However, all attention will now switch to the league competition — the Alberga Cup — where Mona will look to secure back-to-back qualification to the final when they come up against the Mandeville-based El Instituto at 1:30 pm at Buttercup Park.

In the other semi-final, Hillel and Sts Peter and Paul will both be looking to bounce back from their first defeats of the season, when they square off at 12:00 pm in what should be another close and interesting contest.

Hillel, who will be missing several key players today, will be hard-pressed to overcome a powerful Sts Peter and Paul unit, as both teams continue their hunt for their first Alberga Cup title success.

Monday’s Alberga Cup Semi-finals

(At Buttercup Park)

•Hillel Academy vs Sts Peter and Paul – 12p m

•Mona vs Lannaman’s – 1:30 pm

Alfred Nelson, Mona Prep head coach (Joseph Wellington)