St. John’s Antigua- Villa Lions and Future Stars have advanced to the finals of this year’s Antigua & Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) Under-17 Boys Development League.

Co-ordinator Micah Samuel said the competition has been of a high standard, which included some impressive displays by Ovals United of All Saints.

“We are down to our last final two teams and they are Villa Lions and Future Kings,” Samuel said.

“We have had a fantastic Under-17 tournament and I saw some terrific football coming from the youngsters. There is a particular team that I liked. It’s a team from All Saints called Ovals United. They are playing Barcelona styled football. I tell you, I am very much impressed.”

Samuel said a date for the final between Villa and Future Stars is yet to be decided.

Samuel said he is expecting to meet shortly with Chairman of the ABFA’s Youth Development Committee Fernando Abraham, who is also manager of the senior national team as well as pro-team Antigua Barracuda FC, to set a date for the final.

“Well, the date for the final has to be decided on between Fernando Abraham, who heads the youth committee, and myself. We don’t play these finals unless we have an audience to watch the youngsters perform,” Samuel said.

“As soon as Fernando comes back from his long managerial duties with the national team we will sit down and figure out the soonest and best time possible to play the Under-17 final.”

According to Samuel, Swetes is among several of the 21 participating teams that have been very impressive throughout the competition.

“There were good performances coming from Parham. West Ham did fairly well. Villa as usual was up there in all the different categories. Empire did well and the Hoppers team also did extremely well,” Samuel said.

“I must take my hat off and mention the performances that we saw from the Swetes team. I think that is a team that we need to keep our eyes on. They have been doing pretty well and improving as the tournament goes on.”