County Antrim kept their hopes of winning the Boys’ Premier title at the Budget Energy SuperCupNI alive with a hard-fought 1-0 semi-final victory over Kamimura Gakuen.
The Japanese newcomers had reached the last four at the first attempt after topping Group B with a perfect record, scoring 10 goals without conceding.
County Antrim had been equally impressive, recording victories over Rangers and Intercontinental FA before pipping Manchester United to top spot in Group D, setting up an intriguing semi-final in front of a full house at Coleraine Showgrounds.
It was a tense opening 45 minutes, with neither side able to carve out a clear goalscoring opportunity.
A half-time switch that saw JB Camlin move from left wing-back to the right proved decisive.
Cutting inside onto his left foot, he delivered a pinpoint cross for Padai O’Kane, who arrived perfectly to head into the bottom corner and score the first goal Kamimura Gakuen had conceded all tournament.
Kamimura stepped up the pressure in search of an equaliser, with Phoenix Blayney called into action on a number of occasions before Takaaki Nasu tested the County Antrim goalkeeper from distance.
It was backs to the wall for the county side during stoppage time as the Japanese outfit threw everything forward, but despite a couple of scrambles in the penalty area, Antrim held firm to book their place in Friday night’s final.
They will face Right to Dream after the Ghanaian-based academy produced an eight-goal display to defeat holders Southampton 8-3 at Limavady Showgrounds.
Ibrahim Sidibe bagged a hat-trick as Right to Dream booked their spot in the Boys’ Premier Cup final.
Last year’s beaten finalists, Manchester United, will face Tigres UANL in the Globe final after edging past Sunderland 1-0 at the Riada Stadium.
The Mexican side defeated County Down 3-1 in Broughshane, with Arturo Lopez Abimeri scoring twice to send Tigres into the final.
County Londonderry booked their place in the Bowl final with a 3-0 victory over Derby County at Seahaven as Michael McColgan and Lukas Doherty, who struck twice, secured a comfortable victory.
They will face Intercontinental FA, who defeated County Fermanagh 2-1 to complete the Bowl final line-up.
First-half goals from Otis Henderson and Kai Urban earned Rangers a 2-1 victory over County Armagh in Bushmills to book their place in the Vase final.
The Glasgow side will meet County Tyrone, who overcame newcomers Iconz Elite 2-0 at the Ropewalk thanks to goals from Brayden McNally and James Gallagher Arruda.
Boys’ Premier Section Results (Thursday 30 July 2026)
SuperCupNI Cup semi-finals
- Kamimura Gakuen 0-1 County Antrim
- Right to Dream 8-3 Southampton
Globe semi-finals
- County Down 1-3 Tigres UANL
- Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United
Vase semi-finals
- County Tyrone 2-0 Iconz Elite
- County Armagh 1-2 Rangers
Bowl semi-finals
- Derby County 0-3 County Londonderry
- County Fermanagh 1-2 Intercontinental FA
For more information on the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, visit www.supercupni.com
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For further information please contact:
AY.
Russell Lever
Mob: 07841676976
Email: russell@ay.studio
