Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Flex on December 22, 2017, 03:58:50 AM
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JANUARY
Caribbean Club Championship
31:01:18, 9:00pm, W Connection FC (TRI) 0 v Real Hope FA (HAI) 1 (Jeudy Johnson 2), Ato Boldon Stadium
FEBRUARY
02:02:19, 9:00pm, W Connection FC (TRI) 2 (Marcus Joseph 2, 13) v Arnett Gardens FC (JAM) 1 (Fabien Reid 61), Ato Boldon Stadium
04:02:18, 9:00pm, W Connection FC (TRI) 0 v Club Atletico Pantoja (DOM) 3 (Luis Spinal 27, Armando Maita 31, Jean Lopez 65-Pen), Ato Boldon Stadium
07:02:18, 6:00pm, Central FC (TRI) 0 v Portmore United FC (JAM) 2 (Ricardo Morris 47, Jermie Lynch 86), Estadio Cibao, Santiago
09:02:18, 6:00pm, Racing FC (HAI) 0 v Central FC (TRI) 3 (Jason Marcano 11, 40, Tyrone Charles 49), Estadio Cibao, Santiago
11:02:18, 9:00pm, Atlantico FC (DOM) 0 v Central FC (TRI) 1 (Yoan Melo 60 Own-Goal), Estadio Cibao, Santiago
MAY
Caribbean Club Championship
11:05:18, 9:00pm, Arnett Gardens FC (JAM) 2 (Tamar Edwards 35, Marvin Morgan 55) v Central FC (TRI) 0, Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
13:05:18, 5:00pm, Portmore United (JAM) 2 (Rosario Harriott 58, Jeremie Lynch 63) v Central FC (TRI) 1 (Duane Muckette 27), Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
16:05:18, 7:30pm, Club Franciscain (MTQ) 2 (Djénhael Maingé 26, Johnny Marajo 45) v Central FC (TRI) 1 (Anthony Wolfe 14), Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
JUNE
Charity Shield
01:06:18, 7:00pm, North East Stars 1 (Jaden Prowell 71-Pen) v W Connection 7 (Marcus Joseph 8, 30, 48, Dimitri Apai 34, Kadeem Corbin 51, Briel Thomas 61, Adan Noel 69), Ato Boldon Stadium
First Citizens Cup Group Stage
08:06:18, 6:30pm, North East Stars 1 (Kyle Bartholomew 66) v Police FC 5 (Kareem Freitas 16, 29, Kadeem Riley 17, Jameel Perry 53, 85), Ato Boldon Stadium
08:06:18, 8:30pm, Point Fortin Civic 2 (Ronell Paul 2, Jabari Mitchell 9-Pen) v W Connection 3 (Marcus Joseph 22, 32, Kurt Frederick 86), Ato Boldon Stadium
10:06:18, 4:00pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 0 v Central FC 2 (Akim Armstrong 41, 68), Ato Boldon Stadium
10:06:18, 6:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 0 v Defence Force 4 (Dylon King 12, 67, Reon Moore 14, Brent Sam 73), Ato Boldon Stadium
16:06:18, 4:00pm, W Connection 2 (Kennedy Hinkson 25, Marcus Joseph 83) v North East Stars 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
16:06:18, 6:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Kareem Joseph 93-Pen) v Point Fortin Civic 2 (Judah Garcia 66, Justin Sadoo 75), Ato Boldon Stadium
18:06:18, 6:30pm, Defence Force FC 7 (Dylon King 20, Justin Garcia 52, Brent Sam 56, Devorn Jorsling 59, Reon Moore 62, Dwight Quintero 63, 83) v St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Jabari Mayers 38, Saleem Henry 65), Ato Boldon Stadium
18:06:18, 8:30pm, Club Sando 0 v San Juan Jabloteh 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
22:06:18, 6:30pm, Central FC 2 (Tyrone Charles 1, 46) v Defence Force 1 (Brent Sam 90+2), Ato Boldon Stadium
22:06:18, 8:30pm, Police FC 1 (Kareem Freitas 71) v W Connection 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
23:06:18, 5:00pm, North East Stars 0 v Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Quincy Ballah 12, Osaze Springer 24), Arima Velodrome
24:06:18, 4:00pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 0 v Club Sando 2 (Kevon Piper 65, Russel Alfred 79), St. Augustine Secondary
JULY
01:07:18, 4:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 0 v St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Saleem Henry 40-Pen, Allister Bernard 42 - 30 minutes to be rescheduled after torrential rainfall. *a
01:07:18, 6:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United P-P Police FC, Hasley Crawford Stadium - Postponed - *b
03:07:18, 6:30pm, Club Sando 2 (Kevon Piper 46, Michael Basdeo 83) v Central FC 1 (Rhondel Gibson 30), Ato Boldon Stadium
03:07:18, 8:30pm, Point Fortin Civic 4 (Justin Sadoo 20, Shaquille John 40, Nion Lammy 83, Nathaniel Garcia 87) v North East Stars 1 (Rivaldo Coryat 68-Pen), Ato Boldon Stadium
06:07:18, 6:30pm, Central FC 2 (Duane Muckette 56, Keron Cummings 62) v San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jomoul Francois 76), Ato Boldon Stadium
06:07:18, 8:30pm, Defence Force 3 (Dylon King 30, Hashim Arica 78-Pen, Reon Moore 84) v Club Sando 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
08:07:18, 4:00pm, Police FC 3 (Todd Ryan 5, Christian Thomas 19, Kareem Freitas 87-Pen) v Point Fortin Civic 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
08:07:18, 6:00pm, W Connection 1 (Marcus Joseph 51) v Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Kareem Joseph 26-Pen, Jair Edwards 43), Ato Boldon Stadium
10:07:18, 4:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Sean Bonval 70) v St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Saleem Henry 40-Pen, Allister Bernard 42 - 30 minutes left to play, Hasely Crawford Stadium - *a
10:07:18, 5:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Renaldo Francois 13, Sedale Mc Lean 35) v Police FC 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium - *b
Semi-Finals
13:07:18, 6:00pm, Defence Force 4 (Hashim Arcia 29, Brent Sam 42, 83, Jerwyn Balthazar 81) v Morvant Caledonia United 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
13:07:18, 8:00pm, Police FC 1 (Kareem Freitas 12) v Central FC 1 (Duane Muckette 70), Hasely Crawford Stadium
After Penalties: Police FC 6 (Kareem Freitas, Todd Ryan, Kerdell Brathwaite, Ryan O’Neil, Dexter Alleyne, Keion Wilson) v Central FC 7 (Kerry Baptiste, Anthony Wolfe, Keron Cummings, Akim Armstrong, Taryk Sampson, Dwight Pope, Jared London)
Finals
20:07:18, 7:00pm, Defence Force 2 (Dylon King 64, Devorn Jorsling 66) v Central FC 2 (Keron Cummings 42, 84), Hasely Crawford Stadium
After Penalties: Defence Force 2 (Hashim Arcia, Brent Sam) v Central FC 4 (Kerry Baptiste, Akim Armstrong, Keron Cummings, Duane Muckette)
AUGUST
Pro League Begins
10:08:18, 6:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 0 v Point Fortin Civic 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
10:08:18, 8:00pm, Defence Force 4 (Devorn Jorsling 38, Jomokie Cassimy 58 Own-Goal, Brent Sam 66, Hashim Arcia 73) v Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Quincy Ballah 31, Renaldo Francois 40, Sheldon Holder 70), Ato Boldon Stadium
11:08:18, 4:00pm, North East Stars 0 v Central FC 2 (Akim Armstrong 2, 35), Larry Gomes Stadium
12:08:18, 4:00pm, W Connection 3 (Marcus Joseph 18, Kennedy Hinkson 90, Jomal Williams 90+2) v St. Ann’s Rangers 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
12:08:18, 6:00pm, Club Sando 2 (Tyrone Charles 45+2, Kurdell Brathwaite 59 Own-Goal) v Police FC 1 (Kareem Freitas 81), Ato Boldon Stadium
14:08:18, 4:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Sean Bonval 74) v North East Stars 0, Larry Gomes Stadium
14:08:18, 7:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 2 (Nion Lammy 30, Hughtun Hector 38) v Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Richard Williams 3, Malik Mieres 47), Mahaica Oval
15:08:18, 6:00pm, Club Sando 1 (Shackiel Henry 12) v Central FC 1 (Duane Muckette 64), Ato Boldon Stadium
15:08:18, 8:00pm, W Connection 4 (Kadeem Corbin 35, Gerard Williams 48, Jomal Williams 79, Marcus Joseph 90) v Police FC 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
15:08:18, 7:00pm, Defence Force 10 (Thurlani George 15, Jerwyn Balthazar 19, 21, 32, 36, 40, Chadley David 29 Own-Goal, Dylon King 43, Brent Sam 48, 61) v St. Ann’s Rangers 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
18:08:18, 4:00pm, Police FC 1 (Kurdell Brathwaite 53-Pen) v San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Sean Bonval 38-Pen, Jomoul Francois 56), Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
18:08:18, 4:00pm, Defence Force 1 (Lashawn Roberts 70 Own-Goal) v North East Stars 1 (Kyle Bartholomew 90-Pen), Ato Boldon Stadium
18:08:18, 6:00pm, Central FC 1 (Akim Armstrong 80-Pen) v W Connection 6 (Adan Noel 7, Marcus Joseph 51, 68, 86, Jomal Williams 83, Kierron Mason 90+3), North East Stars, Ato Boldon Stadium
18:08:18, 6:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 0 v Club Sando 1 (Kemuel Rivers 88-Pen), Mahaica Oval
21:08:18, 6:00pm, Central FC 0 v San Juan Jablotehh 3 (Jomoul Francois 9, 16, Dellon Jagessar 53), Ato Boldon Stadium
21:08:18, 8:00pm, W Connection 2 (Marcus Joseph 56, Kadeem Corbin 66) v Club Sando 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
22:08:18, 4:00pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Rondell Austin 69) v Point Fortin Civic 0, Larry Gomes Stadium
24:08:18, 6:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jomoul Francois 43) v Club Sando 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
24:08:18, 8:00pm, Defence Force 1 (Brent Sam 14) v W Connection 2 (Marcus Joseph 45+1, Kadeem Corbin 55), Ato Boldon Stadium
25:08:18, 4:00pm, North East Stars 0 v St Ann’s Rangers 1 (Kerry Baptiste 87), Larry Gomes Stadium
25:08:18, 6:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 1 (Nathaniel Garcia 31) v Police FC 3 (Kareem Freitas 9, 68, Christian Thomas 82), Mahaica Oval
26:08:18, 4:00pm, Central FC 3 (Kaydion Gabriel 23, 40, Duane Muckette 73) v Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Renaldo Francois 4), Ato Boldon Stadium
28:08:18, 4:00pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 0 v Police FC 3 (Kareem Freitas 45-Pen., Kurdell Brathwaite 53-Pen., Jameel Perry 73), Larry Gomes Stadium
28:08:18, 6:00pm, Club Sando 5 (Kemuel Rivers 33, Shackiel Henry 38, Tyrone Charles 55, Keron Cornwall 69, Quinn Rodney 74) v North East Stars 4 (Jabari Brathwaite 71, Allister Bernard 77, Sherwyn Williams 82, Kyle Bartholomew 90+1), Ato Boldon Stadium
28:08:18, 8:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 0 v Defence Force 2 (Devorn Jorsling 30, Dylon King 41), Ato Boldon Stadium
29:08:18, 6:00pm, Central FC 4 (Russelll Alfred 4, Ewan Grandison 48, Jared London 68, Dwight Pope 90) v Point Fortin Civic 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
29:08:18, 8:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 0 v W Connection 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
SEPTEMBER
01:09:18, 4:00pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 0 v Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Keion Goodridge 18, Joshua Alexander 51, Saydrel Lewis 64), Ato Boldon Stadium
01:09:18, 6:00pm, Defence Force 2 (Devorn Jorsling 48, Jamille Boatswain 87) v Police FC 3 (Shakuile Williams 2, Kareem Freitas 53, 71-Pen), at Ato Boldon Stadium, Ato Boldon Stadium
14:09:18, 6:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Sheldon Holder 81) v San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jomoul Francois 5), Hasely Crawford Stadium
14:09:18, 8:00pm, Defence Force 1 (Devorn Jorsling 16) v Club Sando 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
15:09:18, 4:00pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Kerry Baptiste 7) v Central FC 7 (Duane Muckette 58-Pen., Akim Armstrong 61, Russell Alfred 63, 82, 83, Jameel Neptune 67, 78), Ato Boldon Stadium
15:09:18, 6:00pm, Police FC 3 (Kareem Freitas 15, 27, Kareem Perry 66) v North East Stars 1 (Allister Bernard 1), Ato Boldon Stadium
15:09:18, 8:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 1 (Akeem Redhead 90+4) v W Connection 3 (Marcus Joseph 41, 64, Jomal Williams 61), Mahaica Oval
18:09:18, 6:00pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 0 v Club Sando 5 (Shackiel Henry 5, Jabari Mitchell 15, Keron Cornwall 27, Tyrone Charles 43, Akeem Humphrey 71), Hasely Crawford Stadium
18:09:18, 8:00pm, Police FC 1 (Kareem Perry 14) v Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Aikim Andrews 19), Hasely Crawford Stadium
18:09:18, 6:00pm, W Connection 4 (Marcus Joseph 24, 67, Jomal Williams 34, Neil Benjamin Jr. 90+2) v San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jomoul Francois 55), Ato Boldon Stadium
18:09:18, 8:00pm, Defence Force 0 v Central FC 1 (Duane Muckette 45+2), 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium
18:09:18, 7:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 4 (Judah Garcia 53, 76, Nathaniel Garcia 65, Akinola Gregory 72) v North East Stars 1 (Adrian noel 16), Mahaica Oval
21:09:18, 8:00pm, Police FC 3 (Kemron Purcell 13, Christian Thomas 25, Kareem Perry 45+2) v Central FC 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
22:09:18, 4:00pm, North East Stars 1 (Gerard Williams 52 Own-Goal) v W Connection 1 (Kadeem Corbin 79), Larry Gomes Stadium
22:09:18, 6:00pm, Defence Force 3 (Brent Sam 15, Shaquille Bertrand 33, Hashim Arcia 71) v Point Fortin Civic 1 (Bevon Bass 90+2), Ato Boldon Stadium
22:09:18, 8:00pm, Club Sando 5 (Tyrone Charles 29, 38, 67, 89, Shackiel Henry 90+1) v Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Keron Cummings 25, Saydrel Lewis 60, Sheldon Holder 62), Ato Boldon Stadium
25:09:18, 6:00pm, Police FC 2 (Christian Thomas 7’, Josiah Trimmingham 12 Own-Goal) v Club Sando 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
25:09:18, 8:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 0 v Defence Force 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
25:09:18, 6:00pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 0 v W Connection 4 (Caleb Sturge 32, Adan Noel 36, 81, Alvin Jones 90+2), Ato Boldon Stadium
25:09:18, 8:00pm, Central FC 6 (Akim Armstrong 19, 63, 67, Densill Theobald 24, 45+1, 72) v North East Stars 1 (Dareem Daniel 68), Ato Boldon Stadium
25:09:18, 7:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 0 v San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Jamal Creighton 4, Sean Bonval 75), Mahaica Oval
28:09:18, 6:00pm, North East Stars 0 v Morvant Caledonia United 8 (Kerry Daniel 6, Sheldon Holder 24, 53, Aikim Andrews 28, Renaldo Francois 66, Saydrel Lewis 76, 86, Sedale Mc Lean 90+3), Hasely Crawford Stadium
28:09:18, 8:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Jomoul Francois 41, Jamal Creighton 43) v Central FC 4 (Akim Armstrong 6, 36, 44, Duane Muckette 71), Hasely Crawford Stadium
29:09:18, 6:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 4 (Mikaeel Jem Gordon 34, 57, 62, Justin Sadoo 80) v St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Kishon Hackshaw 32, 82), Mahaica Oval
29:09:18, 6:00pm, Police FC 4 (Kareem Freitas 36, Christian Thomas 63, Micah Lewis 76, 89) v Defence Force 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
29:09:18, 8:00pm, Club Sando 1 (Tyrone Charles 31) v W Connection 1 (Alvin Jones 9), Ato Boldon Stadium
OCTOBER
02:10:18, 3:30pm, St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Kerry Baptiste 53) v Defence Force 4 (Devorn Jorsling 16, 90+, Aaron Lester 27, Hashim Arcia 52), Larry Gomes Stadium
02:10:18, 6:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Nical Stephens 49) v North East Stars 2 (Dareem Daniel 63, Kordell Samuel 90+4), Hasely Crawford Stadium
02:10:18, 8:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Malik Mieres 2, Sheldon Holder 6) v Point Fortin Civic 1 (Justin Sadoo 55-Pen), Hasely Crawford Stadium
02:10:18, 6:00pm, Central FC 2 (Akim Armstrong 10, Densill Theobald 39) v Club Sando 2 (Jayson Joseph 33, Tyrone Charles 58), Ato Boldon Stadium
02:10:18, 8:00pm, Police FC 0 v W Connection 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
16:10:18, 7:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 0 v North East Stars 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
30:10:18, 6:00pm, W Connection 0 v Central FC 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
30:10:18, 8:00pm, Club Sando 4 (Aaquil Campbell 35, Tyrone Charles 38, Quinn Rodney 77, Jeremiah Kesar 85 Own-Goal) v Point Fortin Civic 1 (Akeem Redhead 55), Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
30:10:18, 6:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Sedale Mc Lean 49, Melvin Doxilly 86) v St. Ann’s Rangers 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
30:10:18, 8:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Joel Lewis 7, Jamal Creighton 14) v Police FC 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
NOVEMBER
02:11:18, 6:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Aikim Andrews 35, Sheldon Holder 41) v Central FC 1 (Ewan Grandison 26), Hasely Crawford Stadium
02:11:18, 8:00pm, Police FC 4 (Kareem Freitas 14-Pen, 43, 73, Jameel Perry 71) v Point Fortin Civic 1 (Mickaeel Jem Gordon 50), Hasely Crawford Stadium
02:11:18, 6:00pm, Club Sando 3 (Tyrone Charles 7, 41, 90+3) v San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Jamal Spencer 43, Jomoul Francois 89), Ato Boldon Stadium
02:11:18, 8:00pm, W Connection 0 v Defence Force 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
09:11:18, 3:30pm, W Connection 0 v Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Ross Russell Jr. 88), Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
09:11:18, 6:00pm, Police FC 2 (Jameel Perry 32, 41) v St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Adrian Foncette 45+3 Own-Goal, Nicholai Orr 64), Hasely Crawford Stadium
09:11:18, 8:00pm, Defence Force 3 (Hashim Arcia 6, 88, Adrian Welch 26) v San Juan Jabloteh 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
09:11:18, 7:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 0 v Central FC 3 (Jared London 69, Russel Alfred 73, 84), Mahaica Oval
23:11:18, 6:00pm, Central FC 4 (Akim Armstrong 22, Ewan Grandison 30, Leston Paul 75, Duane Muckette 89) v St Ann’s Rangers 2 (Kerry Baptiste 33, Taje Commissiong 77), Hasely Crawford Stadium
23:11:18, 8:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Nickel Orr 62, Darren Mitchell 90+2) v Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Quincy Ballah 1, 18, 67), Hasely Crawford Stadium
25:11:18, 3:00pm, North East Stars 1 (Shakqueem Joseph 13) v Police FC 5 (Kareem Freitas 18-Pen, 35-Pen, Jameel Perry 25, 49, Michael Hyacinth 66), Larry Gomes Stadium
25:11:18, 4:00pm, Club Sando 1 (Nicholas Thomas 58) v Defence Force 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
25:11:18, 6:00pm, W Connection 8 (Marcus Joseph 8, 13, 37, 72, Kadeem Corbin 43, 56, Tristan Hodge 47, Jomal Williams 70) v Point Fortin Civic 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
27:11:18, 3:30pm, North East Stars 1 (Kordell Samuel 86) v Point Fortin Civic 3 (Ronell Paul 8, Justin Sadoo 24, Nathaniel Garcia 58), Larry Gomes Stadium
28:11:18, 6:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Keion Goodridge 90) v Police FC 2 (Kareem Freitas 4, Jameel Perry 62), Hasely Crawford Stadium
28:11:18, 8:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Nickel Orr 67) v W Connection 1 (Neil Benjamin Jr 65), Hasely Crawford Stadium
28:11:18, 6:00pm, Club Sando 8 (Shackiel Henry 61, 68, 90, Akeem Humphrey 18, 76, Keron Cornwall 80, 82, Tyrone Charles 94) v St. Ann’s Rangers 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
28:11:18, 8:00pm, Central FC 2 (Akim Armstrong 15, Duane Muckette 75) v Defence Force 1 (Rodell Elcock 45), Ato Boldon Stadium
30:11:18, 7:00pm, Point Fortin Civic 1 (Nathaniel Garcia 27) v Defence Force 2 (Darius Ollivierra 40, Devorn Jorsling 43), Mahaica Oval
DECEMBER
01:12:18, 7:00pm, North East Stars 2 (Allister Bernard 2, Kordell Samuel 26) v Club Sando 6 (Tyrone Charles 16, 25, 84, Shackiel Henry 52, Keron Cornwall 60, Quinn Rodney 90+1), Larry Gomes Stadium
05:12:18, 6:00pm, Defence Force 4 (Devorn Jorsling 7, 28, Darius Ollivierra 42, Kerry Joseph 75) v North East Stars 1 (Kordell Samuel 11), Hasely Crawford Stadium
07:12:18, 6:00pm, Central FC 1 (Akim Armstrong 68) v Police FC 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
07:12:18, 8:00pm, W Connection 4 (Marcus Joseph 2, 56, 65, Neil Benjamin Jr. 13) v North East Stars 0, Ato Boldon Stadium
07:12:18, 6:00pm, Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Keron Cummings 39, Sheldon Holder 59, 90) v Club Sando 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
07:12:18, 8:00pm, San Juan Jabloteh 5 (Jason Marcano 11, 27, 50, Josiah Baird 30, Tyrese Bailey 59) v St. Ann’s Rangers 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
* St Ann’s Rangers 0 v San Juan Jabloteh 3 - Default Win?
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Pro League clubs unsure of 2018 season.
By Ian Prescott (Express).
It is now a case of hope, more than assurance.
Without government assistance, local football clubs are unsure if there will be a 2018 season of professional football in Trinidad and Tobago. And if there is not, hundreds of people including players, their families and officials will be left on the breadline.
“We (are) hoping that the Ministry (Sport and Youth Affairs) comes back with the finances and sponsors would come on board and help out the situation,” stated Derek King, head coach of new champions North East Stars.
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This is sad. DJW and Dexter has to come up with a plan.
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http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=818.msg4682#msg4682
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This is sad. DJW and Dexter has to come up with a plan.
There is a school of thought that, beyond questioning whether the directorate is competent, espouses the view that the directorate is devoid of ideas, marching toward a total loss of credibility.
"Some might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment." (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Cards_(UK_TV_series))
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Super League comes to Pro League’s rescue.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
The T&T Super League, being headed by president Keith Look Loy is opening its arms to accommodate all T&T Pro League clubs if government’s funding for the 2018 season is not forthcoming.
Government provided eight of the 10 pro league clubs with grants of $50, 000 each for the past years, but has hinted it could not continue due to the tight economic situation. Only recently the Sports Company of T&T, the implementation arm of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, was forced to ask its employees to seek employment elsewhere, as it could not pay salaries etc.
But yesterday Look Loy, who heads the country’s second-tier football tournament, said he cannot sit by and watch established local clubs go back to the different zones. “We can sit down with the clubs and have a discussion on how we can move forward” Look Loy said.
The TTSL which was managed by the clubs for the first time in the SL’s history produced an equally entertaining competition this year, which Hydro Tech Guaya United dominated by winning both the Caribbean Football Trust League (CFTL) League Cup title and prestigious League title, preventing Look Loy’s FC Santa Rosa from taking a second League title this year.
Minister of Sports Darryl Smith, yesterday did not respond to a question on whether funding will be provided to the clubs and League next year, but Look Loy’s TTSL could potentially be the country’s top flight competition if government does not intervene soon. Look Loy who recently quit as his club’s head coach to focus more on the administration of the super league, said his league is desirous of climbing as high as it can go in the sport of football.
Its rescue of the pro league could mean preventing hundreds of players, administrators, coaches, vendors and other stakeholders etc from going on the breadline, as well as well as maintaining a proper feeder programme for national teams.
The super league currently comprises of 12 teams in League One which was previously the Premier Division, and seven teams in League Two, called the Championship Division before.
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I sorry to hear about de Pro League but seriously ..de league speaks for itself ..it is a poor quality product which is poorly packaged and not likely to be taken seriously in the Football market place.
It reminds me of the Sugar Cane industry which was subsidized by de govt for many years ..always a failure and it was only a matter of time before it met it's demise.
Sad to say but..it is what it is..
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Fakoory: Pro clubs can run their own league.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Richard Fakoory, owner and manager of T&T Pro League outfit St Ann’s Rangers believes Pro League clubs can get together and run its own competition, as an option this year, as is done by the T&T Super League.
His comment comes in the wake of the uncertainty surrounding the league’s future as there have been no word from Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith to date on whether funding will be made available to ensure the League’s existence.
Government has provided each club, except Police and the Defence Force, with grants of $50,000 monthly to help pay salaries to players. It also puts out additional funding to run the affairs of the League. But there have been doubts of late due to the difficult financial crisis gripping the economy and hints that government funding may stop this year all together.
After failing to contact Minister Smith by phone yesterday, a question was sent to him via Whatsapp asking whether funding will be made available to clubs and the league. However, Fakoory, who has spent most of his life contributing to the development of the sport, said the league can consider running its own competition as a worst case scenario.
He told Guardian Media Sports yesterday, that while it may not be the ideal situation, as there could be no monies for prizes and to pay players it is something that will have to be considered if Government gives no money this year.
“It may just be an ordinary league but my team will be playing for sure. The players and teams that want to play can play, and those who don’t want to play will have to go elsewhere, that’s all,” Fakoory explained.
He called on Government to look at the importance of the league, saying it has been a major tool in the fight against crime and a major drive in the development of the sports especially among the youth.
According to Fakoory the league has also been a major feeder programme for National football teams. Fakoory dismissed claims that Pro League teams can join the Super League this year, saying TTSL teams do not function as pro teams.
“They do not ensure that all teams are outfitted, they do not provide security for officials and players, do not provide medics at matches or meals to players and staff, the TTSL do not provide transport to and from matches and most importantly, it does not pay all players’ salaries,” Fakoory explained.
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Commesse
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Look Loy confused by Pro League suggestions.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Keith Look Loy, the T&T Super eague president has said he is confused by suggestions by St Ann’s Rangers owner and manager Richard Fakoory, that T&T Pro League clubs can run its own competition as the super league.
His comment comes in the wake of concerns of whether the Government will continue funding clubs and the League. Fakoory, who for many years has been involved in the game at different levels, lashed out at the invitation by Look Loy for pro league clubs to join the TTSL this season, saying the TTSL clubs did not have the mandate that pro league clubs have, with respect to providing transport, security, salaries, meals, medics and youth teams, among others.
But Look Loy has questioned Fakoory’s honesty about the pro league. “Have the member clubs of the TT Pro League not been in charge of their own competition from inception? Is it they have become so addicted to state funding that they no longer recognise the T&T Pro League as theirs and not government’s? Are they attempting to divorce themselves from the crumbling of their league? Is it that they see the endemic problems of the Pro League as the sole responsibility of the league administration and/or CEO, and not as the collective responsibility of all the Pro League member clubs,” Look Loy explained.
Look Loy also lashed back at the St Ann’s Rangers businessman, describing him as ignorant to the TTSL’s protocols and regulations.
“TTSL members are obviously required to provide uniforms, transportation, meals, etc. for players. TTSL clubs also play more matches and do far more travelling than TTPL clubs do—from Chaguaramas to Guayaguayare to Moruga to Tobago. Security must be provided for referees by the home team at every match” the TTSL boss explained.
He explained that TTSL players are insured by the League while TTPL players are not. Several TTSL clubs also provide employment for players, including Defence Force, Police, WASA, Guaya United and others pay stipends.
Look Loy described the pro league as a political turf that certain people wish to protect. “A dead horse they keep flogging in the hope that further injections of State and/or TTFA funds will resuscitate it. The fight by some to keep the TTPL alive is a fight to maintain the political weight of the league.”
He made it clear “It has the largest number of votes of any group/ body in the TTFA General Meeting.
And it is an effort to maintain the current constitutional/political arrangement that, no matter what the level of the TTPL operation, administrative or technical, the TTPL will remain untouchable as the top tier of our domestic game, with the monopoly on participation in CFU/Concacaf club football.”
RELATED NEWS
Look Loy: Fakoory’s Pro League plan is playing politics; football and footballers will be big losers.
Wired868.com.
“The fact is that the TT Pro League is no more than a political turf that certain football people wish to protect; (it’s) a dead horse that they keep flogging in the hope that further injections of State and/or TTFA funds will resuscitate it.
“The fight by some to keep the TTPL alive is a fight to maintain the political weight of the league-—it has the largest number of VOTES of any group/body in the TTFA General Meeting.”
Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) president Keith Look Loy responds to a suggestion by St Ann’s Rangers owner Richard Fakoory, published in the Trinidad Guardian, that—among other things—the Pro League clubs may stop paying its players and continue as the country’s top flight competition:
I respect Richard Fakoory. He has committed so much time and money to our club football over many years. Now, Pro League business is Pro League business but I respond to Fakoory’s comments in today’s Trinidad Guardian because these comments draw the Super League into the fray—and I am left entirely confused.
Fakoory is reported as saying that he believes the Pro League clubs could “get together and run their own competition like the Super League.” I am astonished by this.
Have the member clubs of the TT Pro League not been in charge of their own competition from inception 17—or however many—years ago until now? Is it that they have become so addicted to state funding that they no longer recognise that the TTPL is their league and not the government’s?
Is it that they are attempting to divorce themselves from the crumbling of their league? Is it that they see the endemic problems of the Pro League as the sole responsibility of the League administration and/or CEO and not as the collective responsibility of all the Pro League member clubs, which have sat in board meetings every month for the past decade presiding over the demise of the top tier of local club football?
I am astonished at this disconnect from the reality and urgency of the situation.
Moreover, Fakoory is evidently ignorant of TT Super League competition protocols and regulations—or at least he is misinformed. In an attempt to imply that the Super League operation is not as financially onerous as that of the TTPL, he is quoted as saying:
“TTSL teams do not function as pro teams. They do not ensure that all teams are outfitted, they do not provide security for officials and players, do not provide medics at matches or meals to players and staff, the TTSL do not provide transport to and from matches and, most importantly, it does not pay all players’ salaries.”
As I said, Fakoory is misinformed. Like any club, TTSL members are obviously required to provide uniforms, transportation, meals, etc. for players. Indeed, I daresay that TTSL clubs play more matches and do far more travelling than TTPL clubs do—from Chaguaramas to Guayaguayare to Moruga to Tobago, and every point in-between.
Security must be provided for referees by the home team at every match. TT Super League players are insured by the League while, according to information given to me by TTPL members, TT Pro League players are not insured by theirs.
Regarding financial compensation, several TTSL clubs provide employment for players, including Defence Force, Police, WASA, Guaya United. TTSL players have the ability to play for a monthly stipend paid by the club, which they add to the wages from their full-time jobs. This amounts to more than the pittance far too many so-called “professional” players receive in the TT Pro League.
Indeed, many are the Super League players who would not leave their full-time job to play in the Pro League. This is the reason why many TT Pro League players are now turning up in the Super League.
The fact is that the TT Pro League is no more than a political turf that certain football people wish to protect; (it’s) a dead horse that they keep flogging in the hope that further injections of State and/or TTFA funds will resuscitate it.
The fight by some to keep the TTPL alive is a fight to maintain the political weight of the league—it has the largest number of votes of any group/body in the TTFA General Meeting. And it is an effort to maintain the current constitutional/political arrangement that—no matter what the level of the TTPL operation, administrative or technical—the TTPL will remain untouchable as the top tier of our domestic game, with the monopoly on participation in CFU/CONCACAF club football.
In the end, the artificial resuscitation some seek for the Pro League will do our club football absolutely no good in the short, medium or long term.
The time for progressive change in our club football is long overdue. I repeat my call for the formation of a multi-tiered National League that is based on promotion and relegation from the regions through the top level and which unites all bonafide clubs based on technical merit.
I also repeat my previously stated concern for the imminent demise of the TTPL—which Fakoory has made light of in his comments—and re-issue my invitation to any and all TTPL clubs which wish to discuss the possibility of joining the Super League in the interim to advise the Super League of such.
Editor’s Note: The following are the quotes attributed to St Ann’s Rangers owner Richard Fakoory by the Trinidad Guardian:
“It may just be an ordinary league but my team will be playing for sure. The players and teams that want to play can play, and those who don’t want to play will have to go elsewhere, that’s all…
“[The Super League] do not ensure that all teams are outfitted, they do not provide security for officials and players, do not provide medics at matches or meals to players and staff, the TTSL do not provide transport to and from matches and most importantly, it does not pay all players’ salaries.”
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Fakoory tells pro footballers — ‘get a job’
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
It’s about survival in T&T current economic climate
Richard Fakoory, the St Ann’s Rangers owner and founder is advising players in the T&T Pro League to seek employment alongside their footballing careers.
His call comes in the wake of Guardian Media Sports’ story in yesterday’s publication in which it was reported a decision by pro league champion team — North East Stars to implement a basic monthly salary of $2,500 per month for each player due to the tough economic climate in the country. That decision has caused several players and technical staff members to sever ties with the club.
Yesterday, Fakoory, who has spent most of his life developing young football talent said he cannot knock the Sangre Grande-based club for its decision if it is what the Club can afford. He is strongly against any suggestions by clubs that there should be a salary cap. He said, “Realistically $2,000 to $3,000 a month cannot do anything for someone who has a family and responsibility, so once clubs can afford to pay an unlimited amount to a player, then so be it once they believe the player deserves it.”
It is not the first time the Rangers boss has made this call. In fact, he echoed similar sentiments at the League’s last Board meeting recently, and he echoes it regularly to his own players.
Fakoory believes that because of the harsh economic situation in the country players should explore the job market and work out their training schedules with their respective clubs accordingly. He said, the monies they earn at their clubs will supplement their incomes, or to be used as pocket money.
Fakoory told Guardian Media Sports that while he agrees the move will diminished the pro league brand somewhat, it has become necessary until the clubs and the league can do better. “Football is part of life, and until the League can source a sponsor etc, the players will have to do what they have to do. It is about survival at this point in time” Fakoory explained.
He said, “The North East Stars’ business model is an excellent one. It is what my club has been doing over the recent years. As much as I appreciate government assisting me in developing the young players, we have to revert to what is being done at North East Stars.”
Guardian Media Sports understand the League will go on as planned in 2018 and in spite of government’s input or not.
Eight out of the 10 pro league clubs received grants of $50,000 each from government to help cover salaries. Government also pumped additional funds into the management of the league over the years, but is like to come to an end, as government continues to struggle with revenue due to the fall in the prices of oil and gas.
Yesterday, chairman of the Board of the pro league Sam Phillip said they wrote to the Sport Company of T&T last year requesting funding, but they are still awaiting a response.
Phillip revealed that attempts are underway to meet with other corporate citizens to source a sponsor for the league.
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Sancho backs fixed Pro League wage structure.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
OWNER OF former TT Pro League champs Central FC, Brent Sancho, is backing a strict wage structure for clubs in the top-flight division of local football.
With the exception of Defence Force and Police, the other eight teams in the TT Pro League — champs North East Stars, Central FC, St Ann’s Rangers, W Connection, Club Sando, Point Fortin Civic, San Juan Jabloteh and Morvant Caledonia United – are all heavily reliant on Government subvention and corporate support.
However, the Government subventions have been put on hold due to the struggling economic state, while corporate TT has been slow to assist the respective clubs.
Central FC, league champs from 2014-2016, have struggled badly to stay afloat of late, and now North East Stars have reportedly been forced to implement a fixed wage structure of $2,500 to $3,000 per month for all players.
This has resulted in a mass exodus from the Stars, including coach Derek King, captain Elton John and past national players Kerry Baptiste, Densill Theobald, Julius James, Rundell Winchester and Yohance Marshall.
In an interview last evening, Sancho said, “I’ll love to see players making as much money as they can, but in the current market, it’s not possible. When you look at the grand scheme of things, it’s what the market requires right now.”
Sancho, the former TT footballer and ex-Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, said the action taken by North East Stars is not unique.
“You’re talking about North East Stars but a lot of clubs are looking at more incentive-based contracts. (A player) may have a base contract and then, the amount of games that you would have played, win-lose etcetera, you’ll get monies at it relates.”
He continued, “That is the kind of structure you’ll see a lot more clubs looking at. (Central FC) are looking at that model as well. It’s something we may employ this year.”
Asked about the monthly salaries of players at his club, Sancho commented, “We have looked after our players for the past five to six years. Since we’ve been in existence, we’ve been the highest paying club in the League – last year of course being the anomaly in terms of the financial situation. And of course the wait for prize monies would have had an impact on our financial scenario.
“Similar to North East Stars, we’ll have to have a realistic approach moving forward, to make sure that we have financial sustainability,” added Sancho.
This is the second time, in as many years, that the reigning Pro League champs have been forced to slash wages due to monetary troubles.
Sancho, speaking from a footballer’s perspective, noted, “From a player’s perspective, you’ll want to be able to make as much money as you can, to not only survive but for life after football. That is the bottom line for most professional footballers or any footballer aspiring to make football their trade.”
He continued, “You have to also, like any industry you’re involved in, understand the ins-and-outs of the industry. The League has always been a stepping stone league where players can get themselves seen, move on to the national team, and hopefully move on to other things.”
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Is back to semi-pro football. Dexter and them need to restructure the proleague. There should be collaboration with Lookloy and them.right now there is no incentive in the proleague. Teams could come last every year and nothing happens. They should be demoted.
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Pro League CEO feels the pinch too.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS affecting the TT Pro League are not only being felt by the footballers and clubs involved. Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene said yesterday he too is feeling the financial pinch.
The long-serving CEO admitted in an interview with Newsday he is getting fed-up and frustrated as he has also been making tremendous sacrifices and has not been paid for several months.
Skeene, a former Trinidad and Tobago striker, said he is not happy to see players in his league being offered minimum wage. This week it was revealed reigning league champs North East Stars are paying their players between $2,500 to $3,000 a month which has seen close to 10 players including the coach Derek King leave the Arima-based club.
“I don’t agree and subscribe to the dependency on Government,” said Skeene. “I also don’t subscribe to the players having to play for minimum wage.
“I, myself, am making sacrifices. I haven’t been paid for a number of months. So it is about us ensuring that the business side of football is the focus now.”
Asked if his lack of payment is due to the lack of Government’s subventions towards the League, Skeene responded, “We have met with the Ministry of Sport (and) Sports Company about the importance of football – the Pro League – in the national context. To date, we have received no answer.” Skeene continued, “I don’t know if the Ministry of Sport understands the importance of professional football. When you look at the East/West corridor, (a number of) footballers coming from there, trying to earn a living from their God-given talent to play football – it’s mind-boggling to me.”
A disappointed Skeene said, “Right now I’m fed-up, I’m frustrated and I’m feeling it for the footballers. I was a footballer myself.”
He added, “As a past footballer, I understand how they must be feeling. I’ve worked too many years, 14 years I’ve given, sacrificing family time and I haven’t been paid. So understand the passion I have for this thing.”
Skeene said he understands clubs may have to make tough decision to stay afloat currently.
“It’s about the business of football. It’s about ensuring that the league is sustainable and viable in the long-term. It’s about implementing marketing strategies to ensure continued growth and it’s about positioning yourselves in the communities to create a fan-base, which is the life blood of professional football, which will then redound to the benefit of the club in terms of creating other revenue streams.”
Skeene said he has plans for the league but he is encountering problems to implement them.
“It’s reaching the stage where people from outside (the country) are interested in some of the ideas that I have, some of the things that are supposed to be done in the professional league here. “I’m seeing where football can take us, where professional football could help the economy, help with the social ills that’s taking place in Trinidad. If people are not serious, it’s a travesty where the league has reached.”
All is not doom and gloom for the Pro League as FLOW is involved with the Youth Pro League while First Citizens sponsors a knock-out tournament.
“I have discussions going on with sponsors,” Skeene said. “They want to see that the other stakeholders understand the importance and are willing to put the infrastructure in place. I’m also talking to the club owners about the message that is going out.” The Pro League CEO is strong in his desire to ensure the survival of the League.
“The League is an investment and it is about capital,” he said. “Any failures of the League is not about administration – it’s about capital, and the league has been under-capitalised.”
About the 2018 season, he pointed out, “The league will continue. The question is how do we put the right structure in place and, financially and marketing-wise, to get investment so that we get the best of professional football.”
Skeene ended with a poignant message to all involved, “We have a lot of talkers, time for action.”
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Jabloteh coach says semi-pro approach needed.
T&T Newsday Reports.
IT MAY be tough times ahead for local football, as clubs within the TT Pro League struggle to deal with the economic state of affairs in the country.
Coach of San Juan Jabloteh, Keith Jeffrey, suggested the players in the Pro League may have to seek additional means of income.
According to Jeffrey,
“Without money, it’s very difficult to run the Pro League. The clubs, for the past few years, are having a financial situation, not only with sponsors but also with SPORTT (Sports Company of TT). It has become very difficult.”
Pro League champions North East Stars have decided to use a wage structure for their players, with a maximum monthly salary of $3,000.
“When you look at what’s going on at North East, the owners know what’s their financial situation,” said Jeffrey.
“They don’t want to be running a club and, down the road, they have a lot of debts and would have to close.
“Players have to understand the financial situation of the country. The money would never be like before.
It might sound harsh but it’s either they’re part-footballer and part-job, like a semi-pro.
At the moment, it’s very difficult to go back to where it was, until the financial situation in the country changes and the mindset of sponsors and companies change also.”
Jeffrey admitted that Jabloteh, as well as the community-based clubs in the country, are battling the same financial woes.
“We would soon make a decision how we go about doing business for the 2018 season,” he stated.
“When you look at athletics, cricket, football, hockey, all the sporting disciplines are having financial (problems). It’s how we go about doing business going forward would determine how far your club goes.”
Can any player nowadays live on $3,000 monthly wage? Jeffrey replied, “Maybe if you’re taking care of yourself, you can work accordingly but, if you have a family, $3,000 can’t take care of (any) family. I feel for the players. I don’t think anybody who owns a club really want to give a player $3,000. I think, at the end of the day, while a player may be upset that North East come with that wage structure, it was only due to the financial situation of the club.”
About the mindset of players who will have to encounter pay cuts, Jeffrey acknowledged, “At Jabloteh, I had the foresight of the financial situation in the country and I always explained to my players to always have something on the side so, when the rainy days come, they wouldn’t be going through a lot of things. They have families and they’ll have to take care of them.
“It’s all about a young player looking at options outside of football.
There are a lot of things we as owners, coaches and technical staff would have liked to do because we don’t want to make a player live on $3,000 a month. When you don’t have Government help, you don’t have (corporate TT) help, it’s very difficult. We’re at that stage in the professional discipline (where) we have to be innovative and plan ahead as sportsmen.”
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Reality bites. Semi pro is the way to go at this time in our football. The people with big money has no interest in football. There are a few monied people who help. That is great. To jump on govt is the easy way out. When the govt had money, they used to get. The govt has other priorities to deal with. I eh making excuse to for them. The pro league and super league has to work out something. At this time I don’t think they are in the position to dictate TT football. Good luck.
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Phillip objects to pros working full-time jobs.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
"It's either we can afford to be a professional football league or we can't," said Sam Phillip, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the T&T Pro League when contacted yesterday.
"But the idea of professional players being asked to work will definitely be a no, no as it will set a dangerous precedence in the game," said Phillip. He added in response to suggestions by St Ann's Rangers owner and founder Richard Fakoory that T&T Pro League players should seek employment outside of being professional players to suppliment their income from football.
In the T&T Guardian yesterday, Fakoory who is also vice president of the T&T Pro League made the comment in response to North East Stars' new business model which enables it to pay all players a basic salary of $2,500 to $3,000 monthly and develop them holistically through a comprehensive academy for sale to international clubs. The Sangre Grande based-team has also implemented a cap of $5,000.
North East Stars new monthly wage structure has also recieved supports from Brent Sancho, the owner of Central FC, the former three-time champion club. But yesterday, Phillip said to ask a professional players to seek jobs is senseless and opens up the league to debate on its status as a pro league. "It can lead to it now being see as a Semi Pro League that will find itself competing with the T&T Super League which is something they do not want," Phillip explained.
According to Phillip the $2,500- $3,000 wage idea is nothing new, as the League already carries a minimum salary of $2,500 a month. But he revealed that attempts are being made to introduce a salary cap of no more than $5,000, the most that can be paid to a player per month, which is similar to the North East Stars model.
"Of course we cannot tell clubs how much they can pay their players, but if the cap is implemented and clubs that paid players more than what is stipulated, then suddenly they can buckle under financial pressure and we (the league) will not be able to help those players," Phillip explained.
Members of the Board of the T&T Pro League which includes a member from each club along with Dexter Skeene, the Chief Executive Officer and Phillips, are set to meet next month to decide on a way forward.
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Phillip objects to pros working full-time jobs.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
"It's either we can afford to be a professional football league or we can't," said Sam Phillip, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the T&T Pro League when contacted yesterday.
"But the idea of professional players being asked to work will definitely be a no, no as it will set a dangerous precedence in the game," said Phillip. He added in response to suggestions by St Ann's Rangers owner and founder Richard Fakoory that T&T Pro League players should seek employment outside of being professional players to suppliment their income from football.
In the T&T Guardian yesterday, Fakoory who is also vice president of the T&T Pro League made the comment in response to North East Stars' new business model which enables it to pay all players a basic salary of $2,500 to $3,000 monthly and develop them holistically through a comprehensive academy for sale to international clubs. The Sangre Grande based-team has also implemented a cap of $5,000.
North East Stars new monthly wage structure has also recieved supports from Brent Sancho, the owner of Central FC, the former three-time champion club. But yesterday, Phillip said to ask a professional players to seek jobs is senseless and opens up the league to debate on its status as a pro league. "It can lead to it now being see as a Semi Pro League that will find itself competing with the T&T Super League which is something they do not want," Phillip explained.
According to Phillip the $2,500- $3,000 wage idea is nothing new, as the League already carries a minimum salary of $2,500 a month. But he revealed that attempts are being made to introduce a salary cap of no more than $5,000, the most that can be paid to a player per month, which is similar to the North East Stars model.
"Of course we cannot tell clubs how much they can pay their players, but if the cap is implemented and clubs that paid players more than what is stipulated, then suddenly they can buckle under financial pressure and we (the league) will not be able to help those players," Phillip explained.
Members of the Board of the T&T Pro League which includes a member from each club along with Dexter Skeene, the Chief Executive Officer and Phillips, are set to meet next month to decide on a way forward.
Then the league needs to engage in enforcement. Policy is one thing, praxis is another.
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Well, what is the salary cap? 2500 or 5000? If the clubs can't enforce a 5000 cap then the league should be semi-pro.
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Tears for T&T football
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
Local footballers are grieving for the state of the game currently with the financial hit the TT Pro League has taken.
Last week, it was reported that 2017 TT Pro League title-holders North East Stars will be using a strict wage structure, with players getting between $2,500 and $3,000 per month. Central FC owner Brent Sancho has chimed in, explaining other clubs may also have to take tough decisions for what he has repeatedly called “guava season.”
The wage structure adopted by North East Stars has forced a number of top players and officials to leave the club, and it has opened a debate over the state of the 18-year-old TT Pro League, the lack of Government subventions ($50,000 per month) and support from corporate TT.
Newsday spoke to a few Pro League players on condition of anonymity to discuss the state of the top flight local football competition.
The players were all disturbed over the fact that the current Pro League champions are offering salaries which are unlikely to cover a player’s basic needs.
“Anyone that would read that headline and about that (plan) would obviously think that’s a joke,” one player who has played abroad stated. “It’s a struggle. Those (players) have wives and kids. My pores raising and I want to cry talking about it.
“Football is in my blood,” he added. “It’s the biggest sport in the country. I used to go to games and the whole stadium was packed out. When we qualified for the World Cup, I was crying. It’s so sad because what you’re going to get for doing something that you love? We went to a World Cup and this is the stage we have reached?”
One of the 10 players who left North East Stars said last season was difficult for them even though they persevered and won the title.
“The players took care of each other at North East,” he said. “Monies weren’t coming on time, some players were on stipends. As a result, players at the club rendered assistance to each other at the club, both in terms of finance and food, on a regular basis,” he said.
The ex-Stars player believes the collapse of the Pro League will be detrimental to society.
“We can all attest that, if there is no sport in a country, if there is no place for the young men to put their energy into, and to build discipline, the crime rate is going to increase. There is no ifs, ands or buts about it. Sport is a very important backbone of development,” he said.
With regards to the reduced wages, one Pro League player said, “I think it’s disappointing. This is a lot of guys’ dreams or a lot of people’s jobs. I don’t think if they have a job, they can live on $2,500, especially if you have to eat right in order to train, (in addition to) transport, rent, mortgage, children. All those things I called could probably add up to $2,500. And those are things that are not football-related. A (football) boots in Trinidad is about $2,000. So I don’t understand and I don’t see how some people could possibly think that $2,500 is sufficient enough.”
He added, “You can’t even pay rent with that. You have to eat, you have to travel, you (may) have kids. That’s a tough situation.”
He acknowledged though that clubs are trying their best to survive in difficult circumstances but believes they can do better.
“Those fellahs (club owners) trying to make the team (survive) without the Government subvention but players wouldn’t be able to live,” he said.
With the situation so grim at home, local footballers might be keen on securing an overseas contract but one player said it might not be so easy.
“Right now it’s a tough market. I have friends in the (United) States that are out of teams. The NASL (North American Soccer League), the second division in the US, folded. I’m hearing talk about it starting back this year. A lot of players are displaced, especially Caribbean players, and they have to go somewhere,” he explained. One player with close to 10 years pro experience, however, does not blame the lack of Government subventions for the dire situation the league is in, stressing that the Pro League should have been a bit more self sufficient by now.
“To be honest, the Government has been there for the last 10 to 15 years, since when the Pro League started. So, if it’s anybody that was supposed to be stepping up, I think the Pro League have should be taking heed after the first couple years after sponsorship from the Government, to put the proper things in place to be run by itself,” one highly respected local player expressed.
“I want corporate Trinidad to help out and do the things necessary to help the sport but at the same time, we need to do things in the League to make people attracted to come and support what you’re doing. There are so much wrong things going on in the League,” he added.
He continued, “I think we need, especially for the Pro League, something fresh. I think we need to see fresh ideas. You need to see something different. I think Trinidad and Tobago’s football, in the past couple years... same thing.”
Some club owners have recently mulled making the Pro League somewhat semi-pro with players having other jobs, but one player is not impressed with that idea.
“As a professional player, how are you supposed to live on that money? They’re saying ‘get a job’ but what if the players don’t have an academic background to go and get a job? You’re just putting players out there to float on that? It’s extremely disheartening to see, it’s tough to witness because you’re not seeing any light further down the road. The back side of this is all the other Caribbean nations are doing positive things. So when we go up against them and get licks, the public (is) going to say ‘we can’t even beat Grenada’. But what are we really doing to say we could beat them? They are building all their infrastructure, they’re doing all the proper things. But we are going backward,” he said.
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Some club owners have recently mulled making the Pro League somewhat semi-pro with players having other jobs, but one player is not impressed with that idea.
“As a professional player, how are you supposed to live on that money? They’re saying ‘get a job’ but what if the players don’t have an academic background to go and get a job? You’re just putting players out there to float on that? It’s extremely disheartening to see, it’s tough to witness because you’re not seeing any light further down the road. The back side of this is all the other Caribbean nations are doing positive things. So when we go up against them and get licks, the public (is) going to say ‘we can’t even beat Grenada’. But what are we really doing to say we could beat them? They are building all their infrastructure, they’re doing all the proper things. But we are going backward,” he said.
So how the other small countries(Grenada,Bermuda, SVG, Martinique, Haiti) managing without a Pro league, can compete with us, and not overrun with crime to our current extent ? What them doing so good, that we barely beating them if at all, and we have all this more of everything. Maybe we get to used to the more, and can't settle for less. So if no money, fellas will stop playing football ? There is a home for mentally challeged people just down the street from me, they have different levels of abilities, every single one of them working and being paid, a couple play sports, their is one paraswimmer, who will be trying for next Paralympics, yes she works too. All these years of full Pro, and our National team selectees still can't sling 3 passes, beat 1 man, win 2 tackles in a row, and less privileged countries giving us scares..but "things disheartening"..the social fabric is very weak and thin, and need to be strengthened, yet i already cried that over how many years ago, about "Pro League", I'm surprised it last as long as it did, but that is because of the governments. What the governments gave, the National Athletes should have been recieving, and the average young person, should have been striving to attain, National athlete status, and not be rewarded to be off the street. We see them play and wondering, wtf is that ?
add: if we don't keep them pay them to be off the streets we must expect more of
http://newsday.co.tt/2018/02/26/13500-crimes-against-tts-youth/
and
http://newsday.co.tt/2018/02/26/man-shot-deadat-south-quay/
what if we had more good ppl on the streets and showing the way, we would have less of all that negativity, what if we get back to working again, instead of expecting someone to give yuh for nothing or normal things for everyone else. What if those same footballers have the ability to take back our country by setting examples and being strong.
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Just got a whatsApp message from TT saying Dexter resigned as CEO of the pro league.
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Just got a whatsApp message from TT saying Dexter resigned as CEO of the pro league.
http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=66191.0
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Pro League players speak up: “Panic has set in!;” “Football has become a hustle!”
By Roneil Walcott (Wired868).
Trinidad and Tobago Pro League players are uneasy, “starting to panic,” one of them told Wired868. He and a couple of his mates are of the view that the Pro League had its work cut out for him to ensure that the competition stays afloat in 2018.
As things stand, there is as yet no word on the status of the League that should have started in the first week of March, Government has stopped its monthly TT$50,000 subvention to teams, the cash-strapped clubs—led by the defending champions—are talking about offering basic monthly salaries of TT$2,500-TT$3,000 across the board and one club owner has in fact gone so far as to say that Pro League players should look for other jobs; not instead of football but along with it!'
“In the last three days,” said veteran defender Yohance Marshall, who won last season’s Pro League with North East Stars. “I’ve received over five calls and over five different people message me (to find out the status of the League).
“People want to know what’s really going on in Trinidad and Tobago [football] right now […] A lot of players are panicking right now. And I’m not only talking about the players who are based in Trinidad. Players abroad who are thinking about coming back for a season or half-season too, these players are starting to panic.”
Just a few short months ago, the Derek King-coached North Stars unit celebrated their second Pro League title before their home fans at the Arima Velodrome and put an end to the developing W Connection/Central FC duopoly. It is an achievement which now leaves a bittersweet taste in the mouth of the 32-year-old Marshall and those who were associated with the Stars last season.
Like so many others, they are now out of contract, unable as they were to agree terms with Stars. A few key players from the team were lured away by Hydrotech Central FC to represent them in the opening phase of the Caribbean Club Championships contested a few weeks ago in Trinidad and the Dominican Republic.
Marshall affirms that the Stars, as defending champs, are “setting a dangerous precedent” for the rest of the League and so the players have reason to be concerned.
It is a view shared by Densill Theobald, one of the triumphant Stars players who took up Central’s five-week contract offer. According to “Bleeder,” as the former India and Scotland-based midfielder is known in local footballing circles, the current goings-on in local football have given rise to an attitude of ‘hustling.’
“Yeah, it is [becoming a hustle],” the 35-year-old member of this country’s Germany 2006 World Cup team told Wired868. “And you have to make use of what you are faced with. […] In real footballing terms and in real footballing nations, these things are not possible. It’s not possible because what kinda stability are you talking about?”
He explained that the decision to represent Central made by him and by some other experienced players was an attempt to maintain some sort of pride for Trinidad and Tobago despite the financial challenges in the football arena at this time.
“Most players, if not all players, were out of contract at the end of the 2017 season,” Theobald said. “Now, we had a situation where W Connection and Central FC were the representatives for T&T in the CFU qualification stage. […] At Central, they could not do more than offer players a five-week contract because of their situation with the sponsorship. They are not going to contract a player from January to December when you are not sure about the Pro League status…”
Hydrotech, the title sponsors for 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) winners Guaya United, pumped roughly TT$250,000 into Central FC to help cover costs for the CFU tournament and, according to Central’s general manager David Muhammad, the two entities are in dialogue over long-term plans as well.
Central’s new sponsorship enabled them to secure the services of several players who had had the experience of representing Trinidad and Tobago at international level, including Cornell Glen, Theobald’s teammate at the FIFA World Cup in 2006.
But will Central secure sponsorship for the long haul as they greatly desire? And will other TT Pro League clubs raise the necessary finances to run their respective clubs efficiently for the 2018 season—assuming, of course, that there is going to be one.
On this last question, Marshall, Theobald and a third Pro League veteran—JP—who spoke to Wired868 on condition of anonymity, are far from certain.
“The way things are right now,” JP said, “I don’t think I would be able to put my head on a block. From my end, things are looking very, very shaky. What [Central FC managing director] Brent Sancho and they are talking about is really crazy. I know they are saying the players should understand the situation of clubs but it’s really, really crazy.”
Marshall admitted that he does not know what his future holds and said that any decision he makes will be based on “the opportunity which is best for myself and my family.”
“It’s a real touchy situation when you look at it and it’s something that people have to come together to find the best resolution for,” said Theobald, who noted that he had returned to play professionally in Trinidad so as to be closer to his family. “[We need] to hear from the organization to hear the organization’s perspective in terms of why they could only offer TT$2,500 to $3,000 a month.”
Saying that his immediate future could lie with Central FC if both they and the League sort out their business affairs, he added this:
“We also need to understand it from a player’s perspective too, in terms of the commitment and sacrifices you are asking of a player to be professional with that kinda [salary] you’re offering players at the end of the month…”
The threesome agreed that it would be difficult for a player to make ends meet on a TT$2,500 to TT$3,000 monthly salary.
“I think it’s difficult to even consider a $2,500 salary for a full professional,” said Marshall. “It’s almost impossible. I don’t think guys will want any part of that.
“They have to travel to a training session or fill up their tank with gas so much times for the week, maybe rent or mortgage or whatever. […] And this is outside of football. We aren’t talking about if you have to buy football boots yet; football boots alone is about $2,000…”
Like Marshall, JP is a former Central employee, who is also currently out of contract. He suggested that some clubs may have been using the financial situation to take advantage of the younger players.
“I think they bully the young players into taking contracts from May to December. The younger players definitely need to know how to deal with their own situations too. […] I saw it first-hand with the club I was with. I would just mention it to the manager but I cannot talk on a player’s behalf when it comes to negotiating their contract.”
Saying that the base salary at his last Pro League team would have been around TT$2,500 to TT$3,000 a month, he revealed that, at the upper end of the spectrum, some senior players were able to take home from TT$7,000 to TT$8,000 monthly.
A senior man with over 30 caps for Trinidad and Tobago, he insists he won’t be bullied.
“I definitely won’t sign a one-season contract from May to December,” he said. “I would like to sign a contract where I’m getting a salary in the off-season.”
“Right now, I’m not looking for anything overseas,” he added, “but if anything pops up, I will definitely take up the offer.”
But Marshall’s experience in Mexico with Murciélagos might raise a red flag.
“It’s coming down to crunch time and a lot of leagues are starting up,” the national player told Wired868. “Players are wondering if they have to take this money being offered in the Pro League. People don’t want to take this $2,500 because it’s basically no money.”
Marshall noted, however, that similar things were happening “all over the world” and explained that he had left the club because salaries were not always paid on schedule.
“It happened to me in Mexico,” he said, “hence the reason I left. They were not paying on time. You have to be able to take it—or try to take it. But sometimes it becomes unbearable….”
Marshall explained that the straw that breaks the camel’s back is not receiving a salary below what you think you are worth; it is, the former Murciélagos central defender said, knowing that you are being paid below your proper grade and still not getting your money on time.
According to him, this is the real reason it was difficult to get players to focus solely on football for much of last season.
“If a man know he’s going to get his salary on the fourth of the month, then he would be good because he’d be expecting his money at that time,” Marshall explained. “If he has bills, he could pay them. But sometimes you are not sure when you are getting your salary so men guessing.”
“Yuh could tell a man don’t focus on that,” he ended, “but sometimes there are brothers who are in extreme need of the little bit of money they are already collecting. So there is only so much you could do.”
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As anticipated, the relatively new Chairman has resigned ... no Skeene, no Phillip.
What next, W Connection to bolt for the Super League? :devil:
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Look, the pro-league should join with super league and form a super-league 1 and a super-league2. Promotion and demotion. Unfortunately there is very little private interest in a ful-fledged pro-league at this time of austerity. Some may sponsor a team, but on a semi-pro basis. Unless DJW with his connections have a grand plan with unknown investors, what else is there. We can blame the govt, but they just bailed out Southern Games. The pro-league needs to realize the dire situation, cut their losses and move on.
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WATCH: Kenwyne Jones is not giving up on the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League
https://www.youtube.com/v/NJFwtjRGPqI
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Smith’s broken promises hurting Pro League.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Pro League documents for Cabinet next week
Chairman of the T&T Pro League Sam Phillip tendered his resignation on Thursday, citing an increase in the workload at his job.
Yesterday Phillip, whose resignation followed that of the League’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dexter Skeene last week, paid special tribute to the Sport Company of T&T for its assistance over the years.
However, he expressed concern by the reluctance of Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith to honour a promise he made with the Pro League last year.
“What the Pro League requested last year was for government to allow us the opportunity to use the community grounds in Morvant Laventille for Caledonia, the California ground in Couva for W Connection, the President’s Ground for St Ann’s Rangers, the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground for North East Stars and the ground in Point Fortin for Point Fortin Civic to take the sport to the communities.
This however, never materialised, although minister Smith made it public he would deliver on his promise,” Phillip said.
According to Phillip the idea was to take the sport to the communities where they would garner support and become self sustainable within a period of about three years.
“This is what we asked the minister for, and we were given the assurance it would be granted,” Phillip noted.
It was hoped that with the grant funding of $50,000 to eight out of the 10 clubs, and additional monies to manage the affairs of the sport, the League and clubs would soon be able to stand on its own, as hundreds of supporters flock to the community grounds on match days. “There is no doubt about this, we have proven it,” Phillip said.
Instead, the Board of the Pro League met with the sport company on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain and was told it had to re-submit documents to be taken to the Cabinet for approval.
Phillip said the documents which were submitted last year were re-submitted yesterday morning for Minister Smith to take to Cabinet next week, as a last-ditch effort to secure funding ahead of the pro league start next month.
Attempts by the League to source funding from corporate T&T, to date, has had no positive response, but Phillip said they will not stop trying. In the meanwhile, the League intends to joggle with First Citizens and FLOW, the sponsors of two competitions in the League, to get the top flight football tournament off the ground. “And we are also hoping to receive positive responses from the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) and other corporate citizens soon,” Phillip explained.
Regardless of what happens the pro league will go on as planned Phillip assured, saying ‘With or without funding there will be football among the pro league teams.”
Phillip replaced Michael Larry Romany, who stepped down as chairman of the T&T Pro League on May 25th, 2017. Romany, 60, a polymer chemist by profession, held the position for 14 years.
Kenwyne Jones not giving up on TT Pro League (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=94&v=NJFwtjRGPqI)
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Phillip steps down from chairman’s role.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
JOSEPH SAM Phillip, former manager of the Trinidad and Tobago 2006 FIFA World Cup football team, dubbed “the Soca Warriors”, has stepped from his role as chairman of the TT Pro League.
This is the second major resignation from the administrative arm of the embattled League, since Dexter Skeene announced his decision, last Friday, to move on from the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on April 1.
The League has been dealing with serious financial pitfalls with Government subventions to the eight community teams as well as its administrative body being curtailed, while 2017 title-holders North East Stars have implemented a wage structure for players, who will receive a maximum monthly salary of $3,000.
Phillip, in his letter of resignation addressed to Skeene, TT Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams and TTFA general secretary Justin Latapy-George, indicated his decision to move on from his Pro League role, as well as chairman of the TTFA technical committee and a TTFA board member “with immediate effect”.
Phillip wrote, “This has become unavoidably necessary due to my added responsibilities attached to the office which I presently hold, thereby limiting my availability to honour my commitment in the organisation.
“It is only prudent therefore, given my new constraints and my desire to ensure that the organisation continues on the path of success, I reluctantly take this step,” continued Phillip, the former national team striker and general manager of the defunct Joe Public FC.
When contacted for a comment yesterday, Phillip declined to state his new career path, but he pointed out that, after 57 years of service to TT football, both on and off the field, he is looking to commit more time to his family.
However, he expressed mixed feelings towards the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT).
Phillip admitted, “We had a meeting (on Thursday) with the Sports Company. A request (was) made last year for a note to go to Cabinet, to the Minister of Sport, for the subventions to continue, so we can get some training fields in the community, for two to three years and, after that, we can float on our own.
“Coming out of that meeting, I was shocked to know that that note has not been taken to Cabinet,” he continued. “I’m fully aware of our financial constraints in the country but, if you look around, you’ll see other sports getting sums. I’m not jealous of them but I think we all could get a little leeway.”
On the flip side, Phillip said, “I’m eternally grateful to the Sports Company for the support they have given to the Pro League, and football in general.”
There has been talk about the need for the Pro League to reinvent itself in order to survive in these trying times, and it is a view shared by Phillip.
“The Pro League would have to do some remodelling,” he noted. “What I can assure you is that the Pro League would continue because the owners of the clubs, who are the directors of the Pro League, have committed themselves to football and communities.”
The letter ended, “I also take the opportunity to extend my best wishes to you and the organisation for its future success and do ensure you my full support.”
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Lawrence calls on corporate T&T to support Pro League.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Take advantage of tax returns
National football coach Dennis Lawrence is appealing to corporate T&T to support the T&T Pro League, which faces an uncertain future.
The Pro League is scheduled to start next month but clubs are not involved in customary pre-season preparation since government’s decision to pull the plug on funding given to individual clubs to pay salaries, and additional monies to the League’s management team.
Lawrence who selected a 17-man team to play in two international friendly matches against Guadeloupe and Martinique later this month, is already feeling the effects of an unsponsored Pro League, having to choose players who were training on their own, and not with their Pro League teams.
He told the media his team is already at a disadvantage going into the friendlies, as a country’s team is as strong as the League it represents.
But of more concern for Lawrence however is the reluctance by corporate citizens to fund T&T football in the face of attractive returns through tax (tax rebates) to the tune of 150 per cent, and a worsening crime situation that is claiming the lives of the nation’s youth.
Quizzed on the reasons why companies should support sports and the Pro League, he said “as a form of rescue for the nation’s youth”.
Lawrence believes an investment in sports is also a step toward preserving the the nation, saying he is willing to make himself available to assist the T&T Pro League with its marketing, if it wishes.
“Even if it means going out and talking to the companies for myself, I will do it,” Lawrence said.
According to the former national defender, now turn coach, corporate citizens are in a must-win situation as they stand to get back every cent they put out while helping to shape a better, safer nation.
Lawrence’s sentiments were also echoed by his colleague, another former national defender Marvin Andrews, who is here for the wedding of his close friend Jason Scotland, a former national striker.
According to Andrews, funds were needed to rescue the situation the country’s top flight football league has found itself in and “it is important for corporate to put their money where their mouth is”.
In the meantime, the League continues to wait on a response from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs on its proposal for financial assistance for this season.
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Mismanagement, exploitation and repeat errors…but League can be saved!
By Roneil Walcott (Wired868).
Pro League players speak (Pt 2):
With the future of the Pro League hanging in the balance, things are looking brown for football in Trinidad and Tobago. But if there is one issue that Yohance Marshall, Densill Theobald and the experienced national footballer dubbed JP are agreed on, it is that a properly functioning and well-run Pro League is essential for a healthy national team set-up.
At least one of them, however, is quite prepared for domestic football to back-back a little so that it can move forward smoothly in the near future.
“It may be better if we take a backward step until things could get better,” Theobald told Wired868. “Taking a step back may mean having no Pro League because it doesn’t make sense having a Pro League when you are asking players to be professional but you are not operating from a professional standpoint.”
Saying that you can’t call yourself professional “with a TT$3,000 salary,” he echoed an idea floated recently by St Ann’s Rangers’ boss Richard Fakoory.
“If that’s what you could afford, maybe we should revert to a Super League situation, where players go to their respective jobs and be able to train on an inconsistent basis and play matches based on that.”
When Wired868 floated TTSL President Keith Look Loy’s idea of a temporary merger of the Super League and the Pro League, all three players immediately pointed to the difficulties playing in a non-professional league would pose in terms of getting scouted and, therefore, getting foreign contracts.
But, Theobald cautioned, even if it were possible to move forward without taking what he considers to be the necessary backward steps, it would be unfair for the Pro League to think about doing so without honouring the debts owed to Central FC and North East Stars for their League-conquering exploits over the last two years.
It would be to start off, he said, “on the wrong professional foot.”
Marshall and Theobald suggested that, despite the unpaid debt and what has happened since the end of the season, North East Stars’ 2017 League triumph last season was a fulfilling victory in more ways than one. Both players saw it as having forged a close-knit unit, with players trying to help each other out by supplying basic food products. According to Theobald, he even dipped into his own pockets to try and maintain a “professional” outlook at the club.
“I tried to help with my experience of playing with the national team and playing football abroad [but] I have had to help out financially as well,” he said. “I was not even able to really share my knowledge and experience because most of the times players weren’t able to attend training on a consistent basis because of what was being offered to them.”
“Some players were making TT$1,200 and TT$1,500 per month and were asked to be professional with that. […] I could only feel the pain of a youngster who has aspirations of playing abroad and making his national team.
“I could only feel the pain because you’re talking about a player who has that desire to really be somebody. And not having the proper infrastructure or foundation for him to realise these dreams… It makes you feel as though you could forget about it, pack up and everything will be okay. But you can’t…”
Pointing out that, because he knows the financial constraints they are operating under, nowadays he does not seek excessive salaries from any club; he would be content, he said, with a salary in the TT$4,000 to TT$5,000 range. There is, however, a but: the former Caledonia standout insists that his teammates must be properly taken care of financially as well.
“If I’m at North East, Caledonia or Central FC, it overwhelms me to know that I could eat steak and my brother could barely have something to eat,” Theobald told Wired868. “[The club must] make sure and treat the [other] players right too. But some clubs definitely take advantage of that.”
But like a chain and its links, a league is only as strong as its weakest club. And although the Pro League “had a lot of money going around back in the day” when the Government subvention to clubs was TT$80,000 a month, the veterans agreed that the clubs have not really done very much to help the League.
“Before we reached in this scenario where we don’t know the direction of the Pro League and the direction of clubs because of the financial situation,” Theobald offered, “clubs were still in a better position financially. Some clubs were mismanaging their money. So where do you think all of this is trickling from?
“Some clubs are still mismanaging their money and it’s coming back to haunt them now because now everybody crying…”
JP concurred, saying that clubs were really living above their financial means.
“I think if clubs were properly structured in terms of payment of salaries,” he said, “something could work out. But I think teams are ending up in problems because they want to pay salaries with money which they don’t have.”
And why do the clubs have no money? The players blame over-reliance on the government subvention over the years. Because there has been easy money coming their way, neither the League nor clubs have made any serious attempt to develop and market the products that might have given them financial self-sufficiency.
Saying that self-sufficiency was “just a matter of using your product and marketing it the right way,” Marshall slammed the Pro League’s administration.
“The Government has been putting money into the League since its inception and you are telling me after 14 to 15 years, you don’t have a proper plan to be self-sufficient?” he asked Wired868 rhetorically. “That is madness! You’re supposed to have a five-year plan so every five years you will be discussing something different.
“But five years pass, the League hasn’t grown, ten years pass, the League hasn’t grown. And after 15 years, it’s the same thing?”
He suggested that the League and the individual clubs must do much better at promoting their players and promoting their product, including making the people within the surrounding communities aware of the proven homegrown talent as well as the rising stars who have emerged from the community itself.
“The onus is on the clubs to promote their players and ensure that the community knows about the player,” he said. “People will now be able to put a name to a face…”
And agreeing that the beautiful game really belongs to the community, the three players lamented that playing at the various national stadia has weakened the organic connection between players and supporters. They insisted that greater effort must be made by all football stakeholders to get community fields and facilities up to an acceptable standard because it is important to viability and financial success to have good playing surfaces and facilities.
“The stadia are good for the pitch and all that,” Marshall went on, “but sometimes the location of the stadium could be out of the way; some people are deterred from going because of that.”
On the issue of grounds, Theobald holds the view that the League would have been better off if the Government had given clubs full control over the community fields as opposed to giving them a monthly subvention. It’s a view dear to Caledonia co-founder Jamaal Shabazz.
“What I would have liked to see is the Government trying to offer clubs their own grounds, even if it meant building a small facility,” Theobald offered, “so a club could be self-sustainable with this kind of situation. You have San Juan Jabloteh, Caledonia and you have clubs from down South in Club Sando and W Connection.”
“Teach me how to fish and I won’t have to beg for fish all the days of my life,” Theobald continued, waxing philosophical. “Instead of the government giving clubs money in hand, they should have been showing the clubs how to fish.
“You give one community a ground for a club and you say that, instead of a subvention of TT$50,000, we are doing this for you and you have to bring in money to sustain your club.”
The players, he affirms, would prefer the intimacy of a community ground with enthusiastic fans cheering them on from close up rather than stepping out for a League encounter at any one of the national stadia to play in front of thousands of empty seats.
“From a player’s perspective, I love to play down in Mahaica Oval against Point Fortin Civic,” Theobald said, “because I know once Civic are doing well, Point Fortin people will come out in their numbers and support their hometown club.
“And that’s the atmosphere any player would like: to play in front of thousands of people. Any player would love that. That sends your adrenaline high; sometimes that gives you sleepless nights.”
So what advice do the veterans have to offer to those players, actual and potential, who may be having sleepless nights now that the Pro League seems under a cloud?
For JP, the really important thing is to “get yourself a good agent,” not some trickster looking to dig out your eye but one who will be able to set you up for a move abroad if the League remains at a standstill this season.
Marshall concurred and added an element of his own: a football scholarship.
“People don’t look at a scholarship as a professional contract but […] your schooling is US$40,000 a semester and you have two semesters for the year. As a professional footballer now coming out of Trinidad, you are not going to make that money anywhere.”
“And if you really push yourself,” he ended, “in two to three years’ time, you would have something to fall back on in the future as well.”
Theobald’s parting message for the young players echoed Barack Obama’s ‘Yes, we can!’
“I was faced with all the negativity you could be faced with but I never let that affect me because I wanted to be somebody,” said Theobald. “I wanted to use my God-given ability and talent to help take me out of that. And they could do the same thing too. As much as we are faced with so much nonsense in Trinidad, at the end of the day, we have to know what we want out of the game too.”
As things stand, it probably is no exaggeration to say that what the current pros and the would-be pros want is one simple thing: that there be a Pro League in 2018.
Truth be told, the prospects do not look all that rosy.
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Mismanagement, exploitation and repeat errors…but League can be saved!
By Roneil Walcott (Wired868).
Pro League players speak (Pt 2):
...
“Some players were making TT$1,200 and TT$1,500 per month and were asked to be professional with that. […] I could only feel the pain of a youngster who has aspirations of playing abroad and making his national team.
“I could only feel the pain because you’re talking about a player who has that desire to really be somebody. And not having the proper infrastructure or foundation for him to realise these dreams… It makes you feel as though you could forget about it, pack up and everything will be okay. But you can’t…”
Phillip objects to pros working full-time jobs.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
...
According to Phillip the $2,500- $3,000 wage idea is nothing new, as the League already carries a minimum salary of $2,500 a month. But he revealed that attempts are being made to introduce a salary cap of no more than $5,000, the most that can be paid to a player per month, which is similar to the North East Stars model.
"Of course we cannot tell clubs how much they can pay their players, but if the cap is implemented and clubs that paid players more than what is stipulated, then suddenly they can buckle under financial pressure and we (the league) will not be able to help those players," Phillip explained.
Members of the Board of the T&T Pro League which includes a member from each club along with Dexter Skeene, the Chief Executive Officer and Phillips, are set to meet next month to decide on a way forward.
Then the league needs to engage in enforcement. Policy is one thing, praxis is another.
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Just shockingly poor long-term planning from the league and to some extent the clubs. $50,000 - get 500 fans a game to drop $100 on a ticket and there's a large way towards that (more than one game a month of course). Ultimately the league is being undone by the sheer lack of interest and attendance. As I said years ago it needs to move to community fields. Sure you won't get a fancy level playing ground, but you will have a sustainable model built on community interest not on government subsidies.
I understand the reasoning for a pro league in terms of FIFA and CONCACAF regulations, but what's the point of a perennially bankrupt league when a semi-pro league could give a bit of security and passion to players? The FA bankrupt, the League bankrupt, the Clubs bankrupt - what future does professional football in Trinidad and Tobago have under that?
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Look, the pro-league should join with super league and form a super-league 1 and a super-league2. Promotion and demotion. Unfortunately there is very little private interest in a ful-fledged pro-league at this time of austerity. Some may sponsor a team, but on a semi-pro basis. Unless DJW with his connections have a grand plan with unknown investors, what else is there. We can blame the govt, but they just bailed out Southern Games. The pro-league needs to realize the dire situation, cut their losses and move on.
:beermug:
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Gov’t $$$ to rescue Pro League.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Government has come to the rescue of the T&T Pro League for the 2018/2019 season by agreeing to pump a handsome $6 million towards it, Guardian Media Sports was informed.
A reliable source close to government who agreed to speak to Guardian Media Sports on the condition of anonymity revealed yesterday that the Minister of Sports Darryl Smith took a Cabinet Note to Cabinet and it was expected to get government’s approval which will bail-out of the League which had been uncertain due to the tight economic squeeze being experienced.
The League which provides employment for over thousands of stakeholders in and around the fraternity, ranging from players, coaches, managers, groundsmen and vendors etc, will receive $2 million for the administration of the League, while each club will collect $50,000 to help cover cost for salaries.
The agreement is rather similar to the arrangement both parties had before, but the only difference is that government has agreed to help put the country’s top flight football competition back on stable footing over a three-year time frame following an agreement.
Yesterday, an attempt to reach the Minister Smith via cellphone calls and whatsapp message proved futile. Meanwhile, chairman of the Sport Company of T&T Dinanath Ramnarine said he was unaware of the Ministry of Sports efforts to fund the league.
However, the government official explained the bail-out came with strict demands that more had to be done to make the league self sustainable.
Contacted Fakoory said a release would be sent out to communicate the Board’s decisions from its last meeting, but was elated about government’s decision to provide funding as it would ensure that thousands of people would be able to look after their families.
The Board is scheduled to meet soon to implement a recommendation for two new committees (Marketing and Finance) to assist in the process of the League becoming sustainable.
It is also understood that the league will also adjudicate on a proposal for the start of the competition to be pushed back after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in June.
Only on Wednesday the Board agreed to appoint Julia Baptiste, the League’s general secretary to the position of acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) while Richard Fakoory, the Deputy Chairman of the Board will perform the functions of the chairman following the resignation of Sam Phillip last week.
Baptiste will full the position of Dexter Skeene who also resigned on March 2, as CEO, saying the time had come for him to make that move.
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The IADB on Wednesday approved a $300 million US line of credit to the GoTT, based on the volatility created in the domestic economy by the drop of energy prices in the international market. The $$$ is to be targeted to implementing structural reforms and to achieving fiscal stability that would/should insulate the economy from negative external influences.
Social programs are an area in which the IADB anticipates monies to be allocated. Just came to mind based on the repeated rationale expressed by TT Pro League stakeholders that the disappearance of a pro league would present a significant socio-economic dislocator within the domestic economy.
Of course, one would partially have to buy into the untested idea that the TT Pro League per se constitutes a "social program".
I'm unconvinced that $6m does the trick, but say wha ...
While there is research on the impact of government subsidies on pro sports environments, our environment is nuanced and dysfunctional. I would bet against an orthodox approach being sustainable in, and of, itself.
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Anyway, the league got a life line. So DJW better work some magic to get somepeople with money on board. But I know the money people eh coming onboard until they have their own people or some kind of say in the running of the league. So when is election?
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Pro League owners: We will survive! Owners deny Cabinet rescue report but bullish about chances
Wired868.com.
“Despite the departure [of chairman Sam Phillip and CEO Dexter Skeene], the Pro League Board remains committed to the survival of professional football.”
The following is a release from the Pro League Media on the durability of the top-flight competition. Despite a Trinidad Guardian report yesterday about an impending TT$6 million Cabinet rescue package, one Pro League owner told Wired868 they had no knowledge of any such initiative.
“Professional football in Trinidad and Tobago will continue!” This is the united view of club owners and Board members of the TT Pro League.
At a meeting on Wednesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium the Board extended its sincerest appreciation to outgoing Chairman, Joseph Sam Phillip, and long-standing CEO, Dexter Skeene.
However, despite the duo’s departure, the Pro League Board remains committed to the survival of professional football.
League Secretary Julia Baptiste, who has been an integral part of the operations of the League for the last 19 years, has been asked by the Board to serve as Interim CEO as plans continue to launch the 2018/19 season.
“As the Board looks forward to the upcoming season and beyond, restructuring and rebranding form key elements of both their short- and long- term plans,” said North East Stars co-owner Darryl Mahabir. “We want to get the football back on the field but it’s not just about starting the League; we are re-evaluating our entire financial and business model.
“As owners, we took the risk of investing in our nation’s youth and pioneering football as a stakeholder in the sporting industry. Collectively over the last 14 years, owners have invested over $50 million into the national economy.
“Now, despite the economic pinch, we still are looking for ways to move forward.”
Central FC’s CEO Brent Sancho feels that there has been a huge nexus between the Pro League’s existence and the national and club teams’ success regionally.
“T&T has qualified for four of five Concacaf [Hex competitions] in World Cup qualifying competitions since the Pro League was formed in 1999,” said Sancho. “Over the last few years, our clubs have represented the Caribbean in all but one Concacaf Champions League tournaments. And the one time we did not qualify for the Hex since the advent of the Pro League, we were knocked out by a Pro League coach.”
[The latter comment was in reference] to in Georgetown in 2011 when Caledonia AIA’s Jamaal Shabazz led Guyana to the semi-final round of World Cup Qualifiers with a 2-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
The League will meet with several current and prospective partners within the upcoming weeks, including a television channel.
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Yeah right !
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It's easy to organize air in a paperbag, but it's necessary to keep it's mouth open or you eventually can't breathe,if you're inside
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Collectively over the last 14 years, owners have invested over $50 million into the national economy.
Ok, you invested 50 mil, how much the govt invested?
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Owners, board members vow to continue Pro League.
T&T Newsday Reports.
THE CLUB OWNERS and board members of the TT Pro League issued a media release on Friday, stressing the need for the continuation of professional football in T&T.
According to the media release, the board “extended its sincerest appreciation to outgoing chairman Joseph Sam Phillip and long-standing CEO Dexter Skeene.
“However, despite the duo’s departure, the Pro League Board remains committed to the survival of professional football.”
Julia Baptiste, the league’s secretary, will serve as interim CEO as plans continue to launch the 2018-19 season.
The media release ended, “The league will meet with several current and prospective partners within the (forthcoming) weeks, including a television channel.”
Skeene, in a recent interview, stressed, “For T&T to qualify for a world cup on a regular basis, we have to play professional football.”
Skeene, who will demit office on April 1, continued, “You have the choice of saying that you want semi-pro but understand that there are consequences to that. You will be less in a position to qualify for a world cup.
“To me it’s about ensuring that the young men in T&T have (an) opportunity to earn a living from playing football, especially with the state of the society, at-risk youths in the East-WestCorridor.
“The professional football is critical for providing an option for these youngsters and providing a pathway for the youngsters in the Youth League as well, to be able to know that they will have the opportunity to be a professional footballer,” Skeene ended.
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Shabazz: "Morvant Caledonia AIA accept UEFA Challenge"
T&T Guardian Reports.
"Evolution or Revolution!"
This is the catch phrase thrown out to the TT Pro League club owners at yesterday's session at the UEFA/TT Pro League Seminar by UEFA moderator Kenny Macleod, a strategy and marketing specialist held at the Ato Bol;don Stadium in Couva.
In presenting his views on options open to the TT Pro League in terms of restructuring, rebranding and marketing, Macleod challenged the owners to be revolutionary in their battle to ensure the survival of professional football in T&T.
"You can wait for things to evolve or you can make radical changes to your approach and create marketing strategy that can put you on a pathway to sustainability,” Macleod insisted.
He explained that while each country has its own level of uniqueness, some of the problems faced by clubs in T&T are very similar to clubs in other parts of the world.
"There are key steps that must be taken in terms of staffing, fan creation and venue selection. This is not us trying to bring Europe to T&T, your issues are not as unique as you think,” Macleod said.
Morvant Caledonia AIA technical director Jamaal Shabazz is ready to accept the challenge thrown out by the visiting football personnel, among them head of International Relations UEFA National Association Division Eva Pasquier, legal specialist Efraim Barak, Macleod and Concacaf representative Howard MacIntosh.
"This UEFA/TT Pro League seminar has reaffirmed that we in Morvant Caledonia AIA need to acquire the grounds at Park Street in Morvant, cut across the red tape with the regional corporation and get the venue ready to play football,” he said afterwards.
"We have seen the social impact of football bringing communities together in Morvant and Laventille. Now the challenge is making the ground in Morvant a facility that could be the springboard for self-sufficiency.
"From that platform of having a home ground, we can create a fan base, then sell merchandise and become a viable entity.”
Shabazz revealed that they had initial talks with the San Juan Laventille Regional Corporation and his club is now ready to present a proposal for the grounds.
"We have seen on the other side of the Caroni bridge where cooperation between the regional corporations and cricket clubs like Clarke Road and Preysal has borne fruit for the man called 'cricket'.
"These are precedents where similar arrangements in the east/west corridor can bear fruit for the man called 'football',” stated Shabazz.
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"We have seen on the other side of the Caroni bridge where cooperation between the regional corporations and cricket clubs like Clarke Road and Preysal has borne fruit for the man called 'cricket'.
"These are precedents where similar arrangements in the east/west corridor can bear fruit for the man called 'football',” stated Shabazz.
Shabazz has a point here. Whether or not it will work is left to be seen. Why this could not be applied to Aranguez is beyond me. The savannah is big enough to have a small stadium with enough room to spare for about 3 other playing fields for the general public. The same goes for Tacarigua. Enough space to have field for football. But then again ....... The place I would to see this happen is in the QPS. It should one specific for football, rugby, cricket and also hockey.
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https://www.youtube.com/v/U67vaAegbZY&feature=youtu.be
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Pro League Impact is more than you imagine.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardian).
It is a fact that football generally can open doors and reach out to people who need help most. So does the sport, moreso, the T&T Pro League have a responsibility to use this power in a positive way? And what is already being done to harness this unique appeal? These were the chief discussions held over three days last week as the TTFA hosted a Strategic Workshop with top officials from UEFA including the organisation’s head of international relations Eva Pesquier.
Sport can help get you out of miserable conditions too and let’s be honest, many complain these days about the miserable conditions in the country today, the world at large. As a child you don’t think about whether you are rich or poor, you just wanted to play. The T&T Pro League from senior football to the youth leagues allows an avenue for playing and aspiring to play at the highest level. You are on a level ground when you play football as a child – it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, if you’re good, you play.
One of the points agreed by all during the workshop that football clubs should formally recognise their social role and adopt it as one of their core purposes, honestly examine how well they are meeting that aim, and strive continually to improve their relationships with supporters, local authorities, residents and businesses.
Research done in England conducted via interviews with chief executives of 10 clubs, ranging from a Premier League club to much smaller, mutually-owned clubs in semi-professional football, and in-depth case studies all with agreed anonymity found a unanimous view that football clubs are institutions of social value.
Conducting a bit of my own limited research here, a view of some Supporters' was most striking. When I asked supporters what they would value about their team, it was not so much about their success on the field, or whether it was in profit or not, but their importance within their family, social and community life is what stood out. This is an area the Pro League definitely needs to tap into big time.
Given this popularity, footballers play a significant role in shaping society and the clubs can use this to their benefit. . It is proven that social projects undertaken by clubs and players can have a major positive impact on the lives of children, reducing the high risk of school drop out, criminality, drug addiction, and social exclusion.
The ingredients of the league and local football on a whole are excellent instruments for balancing education and development of personal values and skills at any age. As a team sport and a competitive activity,it also promotes teamwork habits and techniques, a culture of hard work, respect for opponents, management of success and failure, etc. This can consistently produce better citizens in society because with ten clubs at let’s say a thirty-player roster plus minimum ten staff, you are looking at four hundred plus individuals being affected. We haven’t counted the Super League clubs. Add to that close family members or friends who can benefit from the experience and humanity skills gained by their breadwinners and by now surely the numbers in society are impressive enough to have significant impact.
But with the demands combined with expectations, UEFA stressed that whether it be Government or Corporate support extended, there will be a level of accountability and value expected in return.
Resilient social change requires sincerity in understanding local needs and appreciation for what already exists and thrives in a community, and working within this framework towards locally owned solutions and results. The Pro League by all accounts, has indicated it is fully aware of this.
There are a range of ways in which clubs might commit to having a positive impact in their communities – and some of them are already practicing, but need to sustain them. The time for one offs is gone. do some of them already. They include developing local transport plans, supporter volunteering schemes with potential rewards or benefits, opening club facilities to disadvantaged groups, operating preferential local employment and taking the game to the fans who in turn can show at the venue and get more than 90 minutes of football. Make it something that will leave 'em wanting more. Time to get the ball rolling!
Video - Eva Pasquier, John-Williams delivers opening remarks at UEFA/TTFA Strategic Workshop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U67vaAegbZY)
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UEFA/TTFA Workshop leaves T&T Pro League aiming higher.
TTFA Media.
The three-day UEFA Strategic Workshop staged by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association with emphasis on the the T&T Pro League ended last Friday.
There were closing views on the run of events coming from UEFA Head of International Relations Eva Pasquier, UEFA Marketing consultant Kenny MacLeod, League deputy chairman Richard Fakoory, W Connection CEO Renee John-Williams and North East Stars managing director Ryan Nunes.
UEFA’s input was based on their UEFA ASSIST programme.
The main scope of UEFA ASSIST is essentially to share knowledge and best practices to help UEFA’s sister confederations to develop and strengthen football within their respective territories. UEFA ASSIST is designed to provide practical rather than financial assistance and to offer support through development activities.
UEFA ASSIST is composed of four pillars, each providing specific support to member associations and confederations worldwide:
1) Education and knowledge sharing
2) Development of youth football
3) Support of infrastructure projects
4) UEFA national association support programmes
Videos -
UEFA/TTFA Strategic Workshop Wrap (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub2g-Vsw1hE)
W Connection CEO reacts to UEFA Strategic workshop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYmkhgGfOYY)
Eva Pasquier shares her final views at end of UEFA/TTFA Strategic Workshop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWRYLIv_F3w)
Eva Pasquier, John-Williams delivers opening remarks at UEFA/TTFA Strategic Workshop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U67vaAegbZY)
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Pro League registration closes May 14.
T&T Guardian Reports.
In immediate action steps after the UEFA/TT Pro League seminar, club owners of the league are meeting almost daily to iron out plans for the start of the 2018 season.
Chairman Richard Fakoory stated, "Having gotten clear guidelines and advice from UEFA, there are some short term steps we are working on before we announce a date to start the 2018 season."
Describing the current situation as an egg and spoon race, Fakoory, who is owner of St. Ann's Rangers, said, "Given what we have learnt, it cannot be business as usual and while we want to start as soon as possible, there are some critical steps that must be put in place before we start. Funding for league operations, club budgets, staffing are all engaging our attention at the moment. We want to move quickly but we do not want the egg to fall out of the spoon.”
Current league CEO Julia Baptiste revealed that owners are rising to the occasion given the challenges faced by the league.
"There is a very collective spirit in the boardroom. We have people from the board addressing sponsorship, governance, television, etc. Its’ a total team effort,” said Baptiste, who has been a mainstay in the Pro League from its inception.
"Of course there are challenges, but coming out of the UEFA meetings while we did not get a fish, we certainly have a better idea of how to fish. We are in close contact with the people at UEFA and bouncing off ideas and suggestions in our efforts to launch the new season,” she explained.
Pressed for a start time Baptiste told Guardian Media Sports: "Now, the office is focussing on registration and putting things in place. As soon as the I's are dotted and the T's crossed we would start."
Deadline for clubs in the Pro League to submit their registration and contracts is May 14.
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Baptiste: Pro League can benefit from UEFA expertise.
T&T Guardian Reports.
T&T Pro League (PL) interim Chief Executive Officer, Julia Baptiste, stands confident a three-day UEFA ASSIST-Trinidad workshop hosted at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva, a week ago could see T&T football reap enormous benefits.
Baptiste however cautioned that this can only be possible if recommendations from UEFA are implemented by clubs and the PL’s administration.
“In this (UEFA ASSIST) scenario, board members were able to come together, and someone was able to say to them listen this is what you need to do, and with us in T&T it’s always where the information comes from that is important,” Baptiste said.
The UEFA ASSIST workshop, which ran from April 4-6 and was attended by club owners and administrators, was made possible through CONCACAF following a request by T&T Football Association (TTFA) president David-John Williams for assistance to the beleaguered T&T Pro League.
Eva Pasquier, head of international relations at UEFA, headed a team of UEFA ASSIST officials that included Kenny MacLeod, who specialises in commercial, media, digital marketing and match day knowledge, and Efraim Barak, a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Arbitrator and practicing lawyer in Sport Law for almost three decades, while CONCACAF was represented by Howard McIntosh.
“UEFA ASSIST was asked by CONCACAF to come here to discuss the Pro League particularly” said MacLeod.
“But what is very important to us is that we don’t just concentrate on the Pro League and that we look at football as a whole in T&T.
“And we have met with a number of stakeholders—clubs, boards and the media—to really get a full understanding of the situation of the football in the country.”
The UEFA ASSIST team recommended that clubs formalise youth development, engage key stakeholders such as the fans, media and government and that the PL updates its strategic plan. Clubs were also reminded of the importance and benefits of fulfilling compliance regulations of CONCACAF and the TTFA following discussions that included club licensing, good governance in the federation, the league and the clubs as well as marketing and communications.
Baptiste said the UEFA-ASSIST workshop helped cement a lot that was continuously said over the 16 years of the PL’s existence.
“Now there is a cohesion, people understand. And we hope that in the understanding we could now move forward as a league and see how we can [grow] the brand and take it to another level.
“There is now an understanding that football is not only about the game, it’s a business and how do we make the business of football work for us. That is what the board will now sit down and plan to see how we can go forward.”
MacLeod highlighted that T&T’s situation was not unique in the challenges faced financially and otherwise. And that the League and clubs should find innovative ways in realising their potential.
He said T&T is seen as aspirational within the region and “we (UEFA ASSIST) want to keep you in that place”.
MacLeod said, “What we have learned is that football is well-established here—the fact that there is already a professional league in place—and you have a number of situations where players aspired and gone on to play at the top leagues [around] the world.
“The base is here but what we are trying to understand is how to professionalise it and how to take it to the next level.
“We looked at both positives and the challenges just to make a point that there is a long way to go. We are trying to benchmark here.
“And we are not trying to say we are benchmarking against the best league in Europe, but through our experience we understand where football in T&T should be.”
MacLeod said over the three days focus was placed on planning and structures “but more than anything else”, putting the fans and the players at the centre of the strategy.
“(What) we really wanted to get across was that if the fans and players can be part of the future and build in the future then I think that would be much better for football (in T&T).”
Pasquier meanwhile called for all stakeholders involved in T&T football including the lower level leagues and schools leagues to sit together and discuss “clear responsibilities, clear roles, clear system of competitions and who is responsible for what”.
Pasquier echoed MacLeod’s sentiments that the PL and its clubs must focus on growing professionally and also told club owners and officials to put more importance on youth development through academies.
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Nice to see the football fraternity now making an effort(hopefully) to adhere to best business practice. But where is the money? Is it passing under the table. Did they get the subventions from the government.
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Sancho: Government killing the T&T Pro League.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
On the heels of a disappointing showing last Tuesday by the Soca Warriors squad against Panama, former Minister of Sport Brent Sancho has lashed out over the current state of T&T football.
“During my time as a national player up until now, a fundamental theme for success in local football has been government interest, support and buy-in.
“Unfortunately, the current administration has offered none of these things, to the detriment of local football at the youth, semi-pro and professional levels. Government’s support for youth and community football leagues across the country is at an all-time low, at a time where crime is at an all-time high.
“Coincidence? I think not. With no initiatives to stimulate sport and youth activity in troubled communities, what do you expect?”
Sancho, a former national defender who played in he 2006 World Cup finals, echoed the concern of national coach, Dennis Lawrence, that the uncertainty over the future of the Pro League may have troubling repercussions for national teams.
He said, “The Pro League is literally on the verge of collapse with millions worth of prize money and promised subventions still being owed to clubs by the government. We have been given no assurances of whether these obligations will be paid. All the while the Ministry is rife with sexual scandals and abuse of power while local football is on life support.”
Although a lack of funds has been cited by the Ministry as the reason for the decrease in financial support, Sancho, a former Minister of Sports rubbished this claim, saying: “It’s not that funds are scarce, they are just being misappropriated. Could you imagine that the Pro League is on the verge of financial collapse, yet the Ministry is building a $150 million stadium in Diego Martin. For whom? If there is no league then what is the point?”
Sancho, the owner of Central FC, a three-time championship winning club of the T&T Pro League, pointed out that professional football as an industry that employs over 300 people directly and hundreds more indirectly. No government should stand by and watch hundreds of people, most of which come from troubled communities, lose their livelihood. We have seen our national coach frustrated by having to select players who haven’t played a competitive game for over four months and are not even training full time. If the Pro League collapses we can basically kiss our chances of future World Cup qualification goodbye.”
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Will the league be suspended during the WC?
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DbotLiGVQAAyKKM.jpg:large)
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Will the league be suspended during the WC?
How does that work anyway? MLS is only taking a 9-day break, and USL is not stopping. However, Ghana, had to get clearance from FIFA to allow their leagues to continue during the World Cup.
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The MLS eh suspending. So why should they suspend the league. TT not playing in the WC.
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Will the league be suspended during the WC?
How does that work anyway? MLS is only taking a 9-day break, and USL is not stopping. However, Ghana, had to get clearance from FIFA to allow their leagues to continue during the World Cup.
I think FIFA's response to Ghana was part policy statement and part pragmatic because I doubt that Ghana Premier League clubs really have any players from other World Cup-bound CAF countries on their rosters. Certainly unlikely from countries from other confederations.
I think the real "sweet spot" in the decision is that this year, teams will end confederation wide competition in November and then in a TT Pro League-esque move have to start playing again in December because next year African teams will switch to the European calendar. So suspending the league was going to present structural problems.
MLS' suspension lasts the duration of the group stage of the WC. So if MLS teams have foreign players on WC teams, everyone is supposedly in the same boat during the group stage. After that ... some players will return to their clubs.
I suppose it's another example of how MLS works in tandem with US Soccer and by extension FIFA in fostering self-interested positions.
If the TT Pro League had to stop less than two weeks after having started, that would be frustrating.
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The MLS eh suspending. So why should they suspend the league. TT not playing in the WC.
And no one from the Pro league will be representing a Russia participant.
Ghana will be watching from home. So too the US. Kinda ironic given the battles between both on WC stages past.
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Pro League pulls away from Sancho’s comments.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Richard Fakoory, chairman of the T&T Pro League, is distancing the league from comments made by Central FC owner Brent Sancho earlier this week, that the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs was killing the league and sports in general.
According to Fakoory the statement made by Sancho, who was Minister of Sports under the People’s Partnership government, was done so in his private capacity. Despite being uncertain about whether government will intervene to assist the cash-strapped Pro League, Fakoory said: “The T&T Pro League is a professional league with no political affiliation and as such will continue to try and improve football in T&T.
The T&T Pro League would have been assisted by respective governments and as such would like to make it pellucidly clear that we will continue to partner with governments in the best interest of football in T&T.”
Fakoory, who is also owner and managing director of St Ann’s Rangers, told Guardian Media Sports: “The League has always had a harmonious relationship with all previous governments and will continue to endeavour to do so.”
He noted, “The league will commence with or without assistance from the government and will continue to work on aligning its strategic objectives with its existing mandate of creating a foundation that would help stimulate national interest throughout our communities once again, increase trust and loyalty, improve the League professionally and help in building a strong national team.”
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Sensible comment by Fakoory.
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Pro clubs get 11 million reasons to rejoice.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
The League kicks-off June 1
Government's $11 million bailout of the T&T Pro League has led to joy for many of the clubs, but tears for others, particularly at the administration of the sport.
In the Senate on Thursday new Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe announced that Cabinet had approved $11.1 million for
the cash-strapped T&T Pro League which up to that day, was unsure of when the League was going to start. The monies, it is understood, will be for eight of the ten clubs for the next three years.
Yesterday, the League's administration was left penniless and could find itself in a bind due to huge costs for expenses.
Back on March 16 Guardian Media Sports broke the news with the headline "Gov’t $$$ to rescue Pro League" - after we were reliably informed that Government will pump $6 million to help the T&T Pro League for the 2018/2019 season after former Minister of Sports Darryl Smith took a Note to Cabinet and it was expected to get government’s approval in an effort to bail-out of the League which is experiencing severe financial difficulties.
Chairman of the Pro League Board Richard Fakoory and new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julia Baptiste did not respond to our questions, but said that the league is expected to meet with minister Cudjoe and other officials of the ministry of sports, and at that time they will know what monies will be available to the League, if any.
Yesterday, Minister Cudjoe via a whats App message confirmed for Guardian Media Sports that the monies given are for eight clubs only, which means the League will still be on the hunt for additional cash to cover its expenses.
Over the years, Police and Defence Force teams are not funded through the arrangement.
A source at the embattled pro league who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity said it costs in excess of $1 million to run the league, taking into consideration huge costs to pay referees, salaries for staff, lights, travel, phone and many other overhead expenses.
The League is set for kick-off on June 1, but will only know the number of teams taking part, at the next meeting of the Board on Tuesday. Central FC owner and managing director Brent Sancho said his team still has to decide if they will be playing this year.
In the past, the governments through the Ministry of Sports and the Sport Company of T&T gave each club grants of $50,000 per month to help off-set specific cost items like salaries during the season.
RELATED NEWS
Pro League stakeholders grateful for Govt $upport.
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).
Good sense has prevailed
THE entire Pro League breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday afternoon after Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe revealed in Senate that Cabinet had approved $11 million to assist their operations. The 2018 season, which is set to kick off on June 1, will benefit from a $4.8 million injection – a tremendous boost to the cash-strapped local league struggling to stay afloat.
The league has been hit badly by a litany of financial woes which has seen prize monies unpaid, the exits of the league CEO Dexter Skeene and Chairman Sam Phillip, and the current champions North East Stars implementing a wage ceiling of $2,500 per month for all players.
For the immediate future, though, their problems have been addressed, with Government subventions going a long way towards paying salaries for all clubs.
Former national captain Jan-Michael Williams and Club Sando coach Angus Eve, were elated to hear the Government will be giving over $11 million to the TT Pro League, saying it will give young players an opportunity to pursue their careers. Williams, who has played for over 10 years in the Pro League club and won several titles with Central FC and W Connection, was happy to hear the news. Williams, one of the top goalkeepers locally, said a lot of people depend on the league.
“I think it is a situation where good sense and good governance prevailed, because you have a model that employs over 300 or 400 people directly and indirectly probably close to 1000 or 2000 people,” he said.
Williams, who recently ended a stint abroad in Honduras, said the league plays a key part in helping young people stay away from a life of crime.
“The people directly involved in the Professional League are young people between the ages of 16 and 30. It made a lot of sense, and you are seeing in recent times where players who were, or are involved in the Pro League, involved in some sort of crime one way or the other,” Williams said.
He noted a lot of players in the Pro League are counting on the league for survival, as they may not be academically inclined or know a trade. “A lot of these players don’t have four or five subjects — they don’t have degrees, they don’t have trade qualifications. So they will literally have to go and do manual hard labour and it is something that a lot of people do, but it is not something a professional footballer should be doing. If you are a professional player doing manual hard labour...you will struggle (playing professional football).”
Other than the help from the Government, Williams is hoping corporate T&T would come forward and give more support to the local league. Eve, a former national midfielder and current Pro League coach, praised the Government for the support but is also calling on others to come on board.
“For a small country, we are blessed with a lot of natural talent and we need the funding, not just from Government. I applaud the Government for coming on board, however, I think the private sector must play a part, also corporate T&T, (I ask) them to come in and support a venture which keeps young people off the streets,” Eve said.
Also an ex-national skipper, Eve said footballers in the TT Pro League are depending on it to make a living. “God has blessed all of us with an ability. Some people went to the route of their schooling and they have their education, not everybody is going to be a doctor,” he said.
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T&T Pro League clubs to account for usage of Government subvention
By Roger Seepersad (T&T Express)
Money is coming to the country’s top football clubs. But they will have to account for how they use every cent.
The Trinidad and Tobago Pro League and new Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe met face-to-face yesterday, and acting League chairman Richard Fakoory is hopeful that clubs will start receiving their monthly subventions of $50,000 from the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT)as early as next month.
Fakoory described yesterday’s meeting as “very fruitful.” Prior to that, League officials had been in the dark over how the $11.1 million Government allocation over three years—as announced in the Senate by Minister Cudjoe on April 26—and more specifically the $4.8m for this season would be apportioned. But yesterday, Fakoory confirmed the funds would be distributed to the clubs and not the League.
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New Pro League season set for June 1 kick-off: ‘Once the season starts, players will be happy’
T&T Pro League Media
The FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia will undoubtedly grab the attention of the world.
But here in Trinidad and Tobago, a fortnight before the biggest show on earth kicks off halfway across the globe, the domestic TT Pro League 2018 season will begin on June 1—a relief for many locally-based football athletes on the twin-island republic that have waited since the turn of the year to return of top-flight competition.
“The Pro League is very important to a lot of young men like myself,” said winger Jomoul Francois. “It’s an opportunity to be positive and stay away from negative even when you have little to nothing.
“For most of us it’s a chance to train professionally, and for exposure towards better opportunities such as the national team and hopefully to move our careers abroad to earn a better living for ourselves and our families. No other level of football in the country gives us this opportunity.”
Francois, 22, and his girlfriend April Gooding will welcome their first child in August—a girl he says. But a third female will also be anchored in his heart every time he takes to the field this season.
“My mother,” said the former St. Anthony’s College student and footballer.
Francois’ mother passed away on February 27 of this year. And while it stands the biggest loss in his life, Keisha Francois will be his inspiration to press on.
“This season will be dedicated to her,” vowed the former North East Stars winger who has made a switch to San Juan Jabloteh for the upcoming 2018 season.
Francois’ new club will not be in action on the opening day, June 1.
But his former club and defending Pro League champions North East Stars would, when they tackle W Connection, First Citizens Cup champions of last season, in the 2018 curtain-raising Charity Shield.
Connection were in fact one of the earliest teams to kick off pre-season despite uncertainties over the start of the new domestic season.
And the Savonetta Boys had not allowed the lengthy wait to detract from ambitions, according to longstanding technical director/head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier.
It has been business as usual said the longstanding Connection coach. “And we will always be interested in the business side of football—that’s the priority.”
But although known for their business side in the export of players, Fevrier said the Savonetta Boys have not escaped “financial challenges” and are forced to operate on a “minimal” group of players.
Despite this, Fevrier believes the existence of the Pro League and top flight clubs remains beneficial to T&T, which qualified once for the World Cup, becoming the smallest nation to do so back in 2006. Iceland now holds the record after booking their place at Russia 2018.
“Professional football is important if we (T&T) are to stay relevant in world football,” Fevrier believes. “Since the commencement of the professional league, we (T&T) have made it to almost every (World Cup qualifying) CONCACAF HEX. We must keep pushing on, without the Pro League it’s obvious we’d go backwards.
“At Connection we focus on improving the players, doing our part in providing better opportunities for the players but they must then take the chance to secure themselves abroad. They can benefit and the club (Connection) can also benefit.
“That doesn’t mean we don’t focus on winning titles too. We will always prepare to try and win everything that we compete in, but to remain relevant as a professional club you also have to focus on the business side of football.”
Fevrier, the most successful coach of the Pro League era, admitted that the long wait for the new domestic season has been frustrating for his players.
“It’s a little frustrating for our players because they have been training for the past two months and haven’t had football to play,” he stressed. “But once the season commences they would be happy.”
Defence Force FC head coach Marvin Gordon echoed similar feelings.
“It affected the players mentally not knowing when [the start would come],” he said. “But now there is a date and they are at a better frame of mind knowing it’s a month away.”
Gordon, whose side began preparations in February, did however stress that he and his trainers were forced to alter the training programme at times “because we didn’t want the players to peak too early.”
Judging from Francois’ “anxious” feelings over the new season, Defence Force promising some “exciting new players”, and the registration window closing on May 14, it’s indeed interesting times ahead.
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Julia Baptiste: Keeping her eyes on the ball
By Sherdon Pierre (T&T Newsday)
Just this year, Paula-Mae Weekes was sworn in as the sixth President of the Republic and Shamfa Cudjoe as the new Minister of Sport.
It was only fitting that the TT Pro League which is the only professional football league in the Caribbean selected Julia Baptiste as CEO.
Baptiste who has been in the professional football arena for over 18 years, told WMN, “I am privileged to be given an opportunity to work within a male dominated field and stand strong and resilient; privileged to make my mark in history as the first female CEO of a men’s professional league anywhere in the world; privileged that I can bring a soft side to the sport and to be named among strong women in TT.”
She explained the difficulties of making inroads in a male dominated field.
“As a woman you find that you have to be proving yourself over and over in order to try and gain acceptance. But, I consider myself to be a strong woman and I believe in and serve God, so when things got difficult I would just stop, talk to Him, get guidance and continue on my way.”
Baptiste is considered a “workaholic”; as the general secretary for the league, her scope of responsibility included ensuring that the rules and regulations were adhered to, preparing fixtures and press conferences, overseeing all committees, booking venues and facilitating meetings for managers and coaches. When someone loves their job and works diligently to see progression of their efforts it may affect the family cohesion, especially for a mother of three and a grandmother of two. Baptiste admitted that her position is demanding but she gets the support that is needed.
“My husband, Wayne Baptiste, is very supportive. He is my better half, best friend and counsellor. He has always been there taking care of the kids, putting away the house on Christmas Eve and I love him and thank him because I know without him none of this might have been possible.”
Remarkably, Baptiste is also days away from completing a law degree. She told WMN, “I always encourage the young people to take school seriously, go right through if you have the financial support don’t stop. It is hard to get back on that horse once you fall off. Beat the iron while it is hot, juggling school and work without a supportive spouse will be a tremendous challenge to anyone.”
How does she cope with it all? She put it simply, “I speak to God and He works it out. I love interaction with people, I love to laugh, so when things get difficult I take a break to hang out with the maintenance or the security persons. I listen to their stories, share mine, have a laugh and get back to the item at hand.”
A great task of transforming the TT Pro League awaits Baptiste but she welcomes it with open arms. “There is always some form of trepidation when someone takes up a new position, but the challenge is in turning things around in the league and I am up for it. I hope to set the league on a pathway to sustainability and viability which will take time but with enough support it will happen.”
She boasted about the benefits of the league. “The TT Pro League provides jobs for the young men, builds the cottage industries, builds comradery, community support also gives young men hope that they can earn a living while doing something that they love.”
Baptiste concluded by advising mothers, “You don’t (raise) your child or children for you only but for the world. Ensure that the gems you have are equipped enough to face what may lie ahead.
“Children are like arrows, they are to be projected not collected. Sharpen them well and project them.”
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Pro League may consider community grounds in 2018.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
THE TT Pro League may consider using community grounds in 2018, a move they tried, with mixed results, during the 2017 season.
Among the grounds used were Barataria Oval and the Morvant Recreation Ground.
Julia Baptiste, CEO of the TT Pro League, said in a recent interview, “The community grounds would be our first option. However, at this point, some of them are not able to facilitate the football at the level we play.”
The Pro League Board of Directors held a meeting with Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Shamfa Cudjoe, at the Ministry’s St Clair office last week.
Baptiste, who replaced Dexter Skeene as the League’s CEO in April, noted, “We had a discussion on that. Clubs would start looking at the community grounds and coming up with a system that would allow for us to start playing within the communities.
“We would be looking at a relationship with the (Regional) Corporations to try and start building that community system that we want in place,” she added.
“As it stands, we will play where is available to us at present with the view to be playing within the communities as the season progresses.”
Baptiste also revealed, “We have the same 10 teams participating in the 2018 season. We’re on course to start on June 1 with the Charity Shield.”
The Charity Shield is carded to take place at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva featuring league champs North East Stars and First Citizens Cup title-holders W Connection.
The other participating teams this year will be Central FC, Police, Defence Force, St Ann’s Rangers, San Juan Jabloteh, Club Sando, Point Fortin Civic and Morvant Caledonia United.
The Sports Ministry has promised an injection of $11 million towards the upkeep of the clubs (excluding Police and Defence Force). But there is yet to be any news regarding sponsors for the 2018 season.
“For us, it would be important for now to continue to seek sponsorship for the League,” said Baptiste. “We will have to go hard at doing that.”
Baptiste, who served as the League secretary for over a decade, pointed out, “We will continue to work at building our portfolio in terms of corporate (bodies). See who we could get on board, sponsorship-wise, and it’s our job to ensure that the league is running. We have some decisions that will have to be taken with regards to that, but everything will be worked out.”
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Vranes issues call to improve local football.
T&T Newsday Reports.
ZORAN VRANES has bought into the new business plan of North East Stars, which involves the development and foreign transfers of players, by committing his services to the Pro League champions on an initial one-year agreement, pending a work permit.
And one month back on the Caribbean island he considers his second home, the former Trinidad and Tobago team coach is calling on all stakeholders to do their part towards improving the quality of football in the country.
“Football in Trinidad (and Tobago) is down very much,” said the 67-year-old Serbian, coach of TT’s team at the FIFA 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. “It was better in the past and I am not fully aware what the problems are now. It’s time all (stakeholders) must step up to do something more serious about the quality of the football. I can make my contribution but it is not up to the coaches only. Together we can all improve the opportunity for the players, the local teams and the national teams.”
Michael Awai, new Director of Football at North East Stars, said the club which is now run by majority shareholder, Ryan Nunes, has adopted the business strategy to develop players with the intention of transfers across Europe, Asia and Central America.
“Others should want to follow our business model,” said Awai.
“We will have academies from the 4-5 age group and upwards at various locations. Our business model is not to win the Pro League. We prefer to prepare players to send them abroad and make money from that. We have budgeted it will cost TT$1.5 million to TT$2m to run a club competitively, so it’s better to invest in more players from a development perspective.”
W Connection, the most successful club in the Pro League era, can argue that success on and off the field can be achieved simultaneously with their trophy cabinet stacked to capacity and having the most transfers to foreign clubs in the league’s history.
“I am satisfied with the plan (of North East Stars),” Vranes said of his decision to join North East Stars. “This season we are focused on developing young players, not to win competition this year and maybe not next year – after that, yes – but more than that to make business in Europe and Asia.
“It should not only be the plan of my club. We all need to get football back where it used to be especially with the younger players. They (the players) must also want to work harder to improve their fitness and technical ability.”
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Bramble, McIntosh, Marcelle among players promoted at Sando as Eve puts faith in youth products
T&T Pro League Media
Club Sando Under-18 standouts Isa Bramble, Ronaldo McIntosh and Declan Marcelle are among a new crop of teenagers that will feature in the new 2018 Pro League season for the Oranges’ first team after the exit of captain Akim Armstrong and Trinidad and Tobago internationals Tyrone Charles and Jared London.
The experienced trio of Armstrong, Charles and London all suited up for Central FC in the recently concluded finals of the Concacaf 2018 Caribbean Club Championship in Jamaica and could be in the Couva Sharks set up for the new domestic season.
“They (Armstrong, Charles and London) were out of contract and requested transfers which we allowed, and with all that happening it gave us more impetus to move in the direction we wanted in terms of developing younger players,” said Club Sando head coach Angus Eve who plans to make Sando 14-year-old midfielder Nirvan Ramnarine the youngest player to feature for a first team in the Pro League.
“Let’s just say he is my next Justin Sadoo.” Sadoo, like many of Sando’s promoted players, was a standout at Naparima College where Eve also serves as head coach. However Sadoo, a classy attacking midfielder, will likely renew his commitment to Point Fortin Civic for the upcoming season.
“This has always been part of Sando’s five-year plan and these new additions came through the youth ranks at Sando. This is the goal of our chairman Mr (Edison) ‘Eddie’ Dean to continuously develop the youngsters, hence the reason I coached the Under-18 team this season [in the Flow Youth Pro League].
“And following the recent utterances in the media by the national senior team head coach (Dennis Lawrence) on his disappointment in the level of the young players, we see it more important to try and develop these players,” added the former T&T midfielder and most capped player of all time.
Dennis Lawrence questioned the technical level and fitness of the players after selecting a number of fresh faces for a friendly against Panama last April in an attempt to widen his locally-based player pool.
Cordell Frontin, Dillon Yearwood and goalkeeper Raheem Lee are also among the list of Club Sando teenagers promoted to the first team where they will combine with defenders Nicholas Thomas, 21, and Trevin Latapy, 23, midfielder Michael Basdeo, 21, and midfielder/forward Keron Cornwall, 25, who will serve as the backbone of the fresh-look Oranges alongside experienced left-back Kemuel Rivers, 30, and goalkeepers Stefan Berkeley, 26, and Kelvin Henry, 25.
“I can spot talent,” said Eve who is also head coach of Naparima College where he also helped develop a number of the new promoted Sando players. “I believe these [promoted] players have the potential to play senior football. It’s not an overnight thing but after this season they will be better prepared to hold their own next season.
“I do have a lot of experience working with young players like in the past with Sheldon Bateau and Kevin Molino who went on to do extremely well at national senior level. Also I was just 17, just left Mucurapo Senior when I started playing with top club at the time ECM Motown alongside the likes of seniors Ron La Forest, Kelvin Jones, Leroy Spann and Anthony Streete. So I know what it takes as a player and as a coach.”
Eve has also snapped up the services of 20-year-olds in Micah Lansiquot (St. Ann’s Rangers), Shawndell Augustus (San Juan Jabloteh) and Shadeon Arthur (Central FC), and former Point Fortin Civic player Tigana Sparks, 30, and Kadeem Gittens, 22, who both joined rom Southern Football Association (SFA) side Union Hall.
Former Naparima star and Club Sando youth player forward, Quinn Rodney, who earlier this year joined W Connection and made his debut for the Savonetta Boys at the Caribbean Club Championship group stage, has returned to Sando for the new season.
Sando will however be without Josiah Trimmingham for the next few months after the 21-year-old defender suffered a broken leg in training with the T&T national team earlier this year while winger Akeem Redhead has returned to Point Fortin Civic.
“Trimmingham’s cast came off last week and from the latest prognosis, the foot has healed well,” explained Eve. “He now has to start to undergo physical therapy but it’s going to be a long road back …nothing sooner than four to five months.”
Trimmingham, according to Eve, was set to become Sando’s new captain. “We value Trimmingham so much that we gave him a contract and will pay him a salary for the new season [even though he is side-lined].
Club Sando 2018 squad
Goalkeepers: Stefan Berkeley, Kelvin Henry, Enrique Changiah (U21) and Raheem Lee (U21)
Defenders: Kemuel Rivers, Trevin Latapy, Nicholas Thomas, Shadeon Arthur (U21), Shakiyl Phillip, Tigana Sparks and Josiah Trimmingham
Midfielders: Keron Cornwall, Jason Joseph, Kevon Piper, Micah Lansiquot (U21), Michael Basdeo, Shawndell Augustus (U21), Kadeem Gittens, Aaron Kennedy (U21), Ronaldo Mc Intosh (U21), Cordell Frontin (U21), Declan Marcelle (U21) and Dillon Yearwood (U21)
Forwards: Quinn Rodney (U21), Russell Alfred and Isa Bramble (U21)
Staff: Angus Eve (Head Coach/Trainer), Michael Maurice (Assistant Coach/Goalkeeper), Muhammad Isa (Technical Director), Roger Ryan (Physiotherapist), Eddison ‘Eddie’ Dean and Derek Lange (Team Administrators), Anil Ramnarine (Equipment Manager) and Claudius Celestine (Assistant Equipment Manager)
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Vranes: Improve quality of football.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Yugoslav-born coach Zoran Vranes has bought into the new business plan of T&T Pro League champions North East Stars, which involves the development and foreign transfers of players, by committing his services to the Pro League champions on an initial one-year agreement, pending a work permit.
And one month back on the Caribbean-island he considers his second home. The former T&T national team coach is calling on all stakeholders to do their part towards improving the quality of football in the country.
“Football in T&T is down very much,” said the 67-year-old Serbian, who coached the T&T Under-20 men’s World Cup. It was better in the past and I am not fully aware what the problems are now. It’s time all [stakeholders] must step up to do something more serious about the quality of the football. I can make my contribution but it is not up to the coaches only. Together we can all improve the opportunity for the players, the local teams and the national teams.”
Michael Awai, new Director of Football at North East Stars, said the club which is now run by the majority shareholder, Ryan Nunes, has adopted the business strategy to develop players with the intention of transfers across Europe, Asia and Central America.
“Others should want to follow our business model,” said Awai.
“We will have academies from the 4-5 age group and upwards at various locations. Our business model is not to win the Pro League. We prefer to prepare players to send them abroad and make money from that. We have budgeted it will cost TT$1.5 million to TT$2m to run a club competitively, so it’s better to invest in more players from a development perspective.”
W Connection, the most successful club in the Pro League era, can argue that success on and off the field can be achieved simultaneously with their trophy cabinet stacked to capacity and having the most transfers to foreign clubs in the league’s history.
On why he opted to join North East Stars, Vranes, a former Joe Public coach said, “I am satisfied with the plan of North East Stars. This season we are focused on developing young players, not to win the competition this year and maybe not next year, after that, yes, but more than that to make business in Europe and Asia.
“It should not only be the plan of my club. We all need to get football back where it used to be especially with the younger players. They must also want to work harder to improve their fitness and technical ability.”
Vranes had three stints with the T&T senior team, twice as a head coach and once as an assistant coach, and also coached the Soca Warriors at Under-20 and Under-23 levels.
He enjoyed title success with Central FC, leading the “Couva Sharks” to the First Citizens Cup and the Akeem Adams and Rawle Fletcher trophies in the 2014/15 season.
However, he was surprisingly replaced with Englishman Terry Fenwick with just three league games left that term and the team at the top of the Pro League standings. Fenwick celebrated the title success and later the 2015 Caribbean Club Championship.
Vranes returned to Yugoslavia for his third managerial stint with hometown club Rudar Pljevlja, until now.
Goalkeepers Glenroy Samuel and Javon Sample, who played under Vranes at national youth level and Central respectively, will represent Stars along with veteran playmaker Hayden Tinto, Adrian Noel, Sean Bateau and Bret D’Abreau, who will hit his fortieth birthday on June 6.
North East Stars will face W Connection on June 1 in the 2018 Pro League curtain-raising Charity Shield from 7 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
North East Stars 2018 squad: Glenroy Samuel (GK), Javon Sample (GK), Jabari Brice, Sean Bateau, Garyk Jaggan, Darren Jaggan, Bret D’Abreau, Josiah Daniel, Kyle Bartholomew, Hayden Tinto, Jabari Brathwaite, Adrian Noel, Darren Wilson, Tyrell Jobe, Jamiel Williams, Shawn Roberts, Daniel Lacroix, Warren Chase, Jeankeon Alexander, Brian Williams, Shaqkeem Joseph and Gabriel Nanton.
Technical staff: Zoran Vranes (coach), Gilbert Bateau (assistant coach/trainer), Nigel Neverson (goalkeeper coach), Michael ‘Coxy’ Williams (equipment manager).
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Vranes: Tall task for Stars against W Connection.
T&T Guardian Reports.
North East Stars head coach Zoran Vranes expects a difficult test for his new team against W Connection when the 2018 Charity Shield contest kicks-off this evening at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva from 7 pm.
“It would be a very difficult game against a team which dominates so much for the last fifteen-plus years,” said the former T&T coach who was defeated by W Connection in the 2014 Charity Shield on his debut at former club Central FC.
North East Stars won the Pro League championship last season under then-coach Derek King to qualify for their first Charity play while three-time former winners Connection (2012, 2013 & 2014) captured last season’s First Citizens Cup for a fifth Shield play.
Entrance fee on Friday is TT$30 and children under 12 enter free.
Vranes is expected to showcase a team full of youth while Connection, coached by long-standing head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier, will also boast a handful new faces.
“We've very little experience with about sixty percent of our players inexperienced,” said the 67-year-old Yugoslav-born Vranes. “But really, I am not worried about that. We will be competitive. We have to be ready for a very big game although almost every player from last season [league success] is no longer here. We are progressing and we will be competitive. Some of our players are pretty decent but the fact won’t change that we are a new team that’s rebuilding. They (Connection) is a good team with a lot of experience and with national players. I don’t think we would win because really and truly we are in the beginning. They are at an advantage. We will learn from the game. We don’t expect to win but it doesn’t mean we won’t try,” ended the North East Stars coach.
Habitat for Humanity will benefit from gate receipts if North East Stars captures the Charity Shield while Marabella Family Crisis Centre would become the recipient of the charitable contribution if W Connection reunites with the Shield.
Habitat for Humanity (T&T) is a non-profit organization affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, according to its website, has helped thousands of Trinbagonians construct, rehabilitate or preserve their homes since 1997.
The organization support a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As well as supporting homeowners in developing their shelter solutions, Habitat for Humanity (T&T) also provides training in financial management, technical and life skills, housing initiatives and disaster risk reduction programmes.
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North East Stars coach predicts tall task vs Connection.
T&T Newsday Reports.
NORTH EAST Stars head coach Zoran Vranes expects a difficult test for his recently assembled side against W Connection in the 2018 Charity Shield on Friday from 7pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
“It would be a very difficult game against [a team] who dominates so much for the last fifteen-plus years,” said the former Trinidad and Tobago who was defeated by Connection in the 2014 Charity Shield on his debut at former club Central FC.
North East Stars won the Pro League championship last season under then coach Derek King to qualify for their first Charity play while three-time former winners Connection (2012, 2013 & 2014) captured last season’s First Citizens Cup for a fifth Shield play.
Entrance fee today is TT$30 and children under 12 enter free.
Vranes is expected to showcase a team full of youth surprises while Connection, coached by longstanding head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier, will also boast a handful new faces.
“We have very little experience with about sixty percent of our players inexperienced,” said the 67-year-old Yugoslav-born Vranes. “But really, I am not worried about that. “We will be competitive. We have to be ready for a very big game although almost every player from last season [league success] are no longer here.
We are progressing and we will be competitive. Some of our players are pretty decent but the fact won’t change that we are a new team that’s rebuilding.
“They (Connection) are a good team with a lot of experience and with national players. I don’t think we would win [because] really and truly we are in the beginning. They are at an advantage. We will learn from the game. We don’t expect to win but it doesn’t mean we won’t try,” ended the North East Stars coach.
Habitat for Humanity will benefit from gate receipts if North East Stars captures the Charity Shield while Marabella Family Crisis Centre would become the recipient of the charitable contribution if Connection reunites with the Shield.
Habitat for Humanity , a non-profit organization affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, according to its website, has helped thousands of Trinbagonians construct, rehabilitate or preserve their homes since 1997.
The organisation supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow.
As well as supporting homeowners in developing their shelter solutions, Habitat for Humanity (T&T) also provides training in financial management, technical and life skills, housing initiatives and disaster risk reduction programmes.
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Gordon shifts focus to Pro League.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
After defeat in First Citizens Cup final…
MARVIN GORDON, coach of top local football outfit Defence Force, is turning his focus towards the 2018 TT Pro League season, which is expected to begin in August.
Gordon was speaking on Friday night, moments after Defence Force were beaten by Central FC 4-2 via kicks from the penalty spot in the final of the First Citizens Cup, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.
After 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, the scoreboard read 2-2, with the resurgent Keron Cummings (42nd and 83rd minutes) netting for Central FC, and Dylon King (64th) and Devorn Jorsling (65th) replying for the Army-Coast Guard combination.
“We’re going to try to win the Pro League,” said Gordon. “I won a (league) title as an assistant coach, I would really like to win it as a head coach. The plan from now is to prepare for the league which starts in two weeks.”
Defence Force last won the league in 2012-2013 with Ross Russell in charge of the team and Gordon deputising. Jorsling was instrumental in that title run and at age 34 is still firing in goals for the team.
Reflecting on Friday’s match, Gordon said, “A brilliant game of football by both teams. Two coaches (himself and Central FC’s Stern John) really trying to go at one another tactically.
“I thought the first half Central (were) really good,” he continued. “I couldn’t wait for the half to end just to go in to fix things and fix the attitude of my players. We came back out and we (were) brilliant, we got the two goals and we went up, but we paid at the back with a mistake, Central (got) back in. “We tried to get a result, but (the game) went to the (penalty) spot and they held their nerves better than us.”
The former Defence Force midfielder-turned-coach was noticeably animated during the game and he admitted, “We were not putting pressure on the ball enough. We were allowing them to play too much with the ball.”
Gordon also felt that his winger Reon Moore was not given the benefit of the doubt with some calls from the officials.
However, he said, “All and all, I thought it was really a brilliant game.”
Gordon only made two substitutions during the match.
“I believe in the players I coach,” said Gordon. “I believe in the guys on the bench. I thought I needed to leave Dylon King on the field, even though in the first half (he) wasn’t at his best, I knew he would bring something to the game, so I didn’t want to take him out.”
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Another delay in the season kicking off. They're saying mid-August now, but that could actually be late August at best.
Last year the league seemed to be on life support. Not sure how to describe the reality this year. Things are getting worse not better.
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Kenwyne: Sacrifice necessary for success
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
FORMER national football striker and captain Kenwyne Jones has urged Pro League players to put in the sacrifices needed to better themselves on and off the field.
The 33-year-old ex-W Connection, Southampton, Sunderland, Stoke City and Cardiff City player was speaking at a T&T Pro League player development seminar at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday.
And Jones also appealed to the players to be aware of the contracts they sign, so they can avoid pitfalls later down the road.
Players from W Connection, Police FC, North East Stars, Morvant Caledonia United, San Juan Jabloteh and St Ann’s Rangers were present for the initiative.
“Your career, barring a few injuries – once everything goes right – could (be) 15 years,” said Jones. “Some people, God bless them, they have careers even longer. They were able to do that because they actually spent time on themselves and immersing themselves on their craft.”
He reflected on his days travelling to school in St Anthony’s College, Westmoorings from his house in Chaguanas.
“On some days with no money for lunch or to travel home, I used to get bus tickets and walk from St Anthony’s to city gate after training, to be able to get a bus to go home,” he said. “I used to travel from Chaguanas at five in the morning because we had training before school. I had to do that in order to succeed.
“Now (there are) a lot of men here today that if they have to do that type of thing they ain’t doing it,” he added. “They’re not willing to do (that) because they have to sacrifice. If you as a person don’t want to sacrifice, you’re going to get nowhere.”
On the topic of sacrifice, Jones said, “For 17 years I missed Carnival, I missed New Year’s Day, I missed my birthday because I (was) always training. I missed Christmas because I was in the snow training. I wasn’t seeing my family because I’m going in a hotel, I had a game the next day. Those are the things you’ll have to sacrifice if you want to make it.”
The muscular striker also mentioned a recent conversation he had with a current Pro League player over lack of salaries.
“If (a contract is) flashy, and it has some zeroes at the end, you’re walking away and smiling,” he said. “Between the lines, they’ll have some things put in there that wouldn’t make you see those zeroes for (many) years. I have a friend – a former teammate – leave this country, go on a few trials and signed with a Portuguese club.
“Obviously that’s a different language, he didn’t seek any way to have that contract translated so that he could understand it in English. You know what end up happening to him? He ended up having to leave the club, go in a restaurant and (had) to wash wares to make money.”
Jones added, “If you don’t (have) that knowledge, you’ll end up in problems like a lot of people in the league itself, and a lot of people worldwide.”
Jones also urged players to understand the importance of media interviews, which can go a long way in developing their personal brand and image.
In an earlier session, when asked about his future ambitions, Jones responded, “Where I would start is definitely youth development, and I’ll take it from there. I can’t predict the future but, as a starting point, would definitely be youth.”
He described the national team’s participation at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany as the highlight of his career.
“I was really lucky to be on that team at that time,” he said. “It was an eye-opening experience because there is no better way to be a part of history than to be with the likes of those players representing Trinidad and Tobago.”
Julia Baptiste, CEO of the Pro League, described yesterday’s initiative as “a very successful player seminar.”
Baptiste hopes to have two more seminars during this season to help the current crop of local players.
She also expressed her gratitude towards Jones; former journalist Nicole Duke-Westfield, who spoke about social media; and First Citizens representative Kevon Durham.
About the involvement of First Citizens, Baptiste said, “First Citizens has really been the organisation that has conducted the player development seminar for a number of years. Generally, it has been on finances, in this instance the First Citizens corporate communications department is really helping us conduct this, so we decided to go with communications as the main emphasis.”
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Cudjoe: Clubs holding back Pro League start.
By Joel Bailey & Andrew Gioannetti (Newsday).
Minister of sport Shamfa Cudjoe said the delay in the release of government subventions to TT Pro League clubs is down to their failure to submit financial statements to the Sport Company of TT (SporTT).
Government assistance has practically kept the clubs – with the exception of Police FC and Defence Force – and the league afloat since its inception in 1999. The 2018 league was expected to kick off on Friday but is now expected to begin on August 3. Central FC operations manager Kevin Harrison was quoted in an article as saying his team may have to opt out of the 2018 season, as their players have not been paid for a few months.
Cudjoe, in an interview with Newsday yesterday, said the Ministry is “making arrangements to transfer the money to SporTT” but pointed the blame at the local clubs.
“SporTT has its process where sporting clubs have to fill out their financial information to SporTT,” she said. “I know some of them would have (done so) but there are a number of sporting clubs that have not submitted financials to SporTT and that’s the last update that I have.”
Recently the TT Football Association (TTFA) sought to enforce a policy where clubs must be compliant to retain their status within the local governing body. This was met with some resistance as some clubs did not submit their documents in time.
Cudjoe yesterday promised to “see if any progress has been made in getting more of the financials and the documents in” to the Sport Company.
“However,” she added, “up to last Thursday, when I met with SporTT, we have not received all the necessary information. It’s not just ‘here, look some money.’ You have to show some financial standings, that the club is active, that the financials are up to date, and so on. And some of them would have submitted, but the majority had not submitted to SporTT.”
Cudjoe said the Ministry was now considering a plan to fund the teams and athletes indirectly, through their respective NGBs (National Governing Body).
“We are looking at another option where maybe we can look at transferring the money directly to Pro League and then have the Pro League’s central administration distribute it. I don’t know if that’s an option that can be explored but right now the cabinet note speaks specifically to paying to the (Pro League) clubs through SporTT.”
She continued: “I have been in conversation with the new chairman of SporTT, Mr Douglas Camacho, and we are examining SporTT’s policy in dealing specifically with NGBs rather than (clubs) and that can be a challenge for some sporting disciplines because you have within some sporting disciplines, discrepancies between different groups.
“Sometimes within one discipline, somebody (a club) may not have a good relationship with the NGB and so on, so we want to restore those relationships and deal specifically with NGBs and get everyone’s financials so that things can run smoothly.
“When you get to that place of dealing specifically with clubs, you can run yourself in some trouble. At this point where we have financial challenges, we have to implement a strategy and a policy that best serves everyone and one that is economically proper and suitable to suit this guava season as they say.”
Acting Pro League CEO Julia Baptiste, who took charge after former CEO Dexter Skeene quit due the mountainous burden of financial woes plaguing the league, acknowledged such issues still exist.
“The subventions helps to ensure that the clubs are able to run their business,” she noted. “You can’t run the business on the subvention alone but it helps because you need it in order to sustain what is happening at the club.”
But she is hopeful that corporate sponsors can come on board sooner rather than later.
“We have been working hard on trying to submit proposals to see if we can get one or two corporate people who would want to partner with us in taking professional football to the next level,” Baptiste said. “We’re hoping that they’re organisations out there who’re willing to do that.” She continued, “It is a struggle. We have challenges. I just have to try and pull it back to the best possible place, and then move forward. It’s plenty work, plenty ground to cover with little resources, but at the end of the day, I have to give it my best shot.”
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Sancho questions Cudjoe’s stance on funding issue.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
CENTRAL FC owner Brent Sancho is questioning the stance taken by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe with regards to the allocations of funds to clubs in the Pro League – excluding Police FC and Defence Force.
Earlier this week, members of Central FC decided to go on a strike due to non-payment of salaries for a few months.
And, in an article on yesterday’s Newsday, Cudjoe said the delay in the release of Government subventions to eight of the League’s 10 clubs – Central FC, North East Stars, Point Fortin Civic, Club Sando, San Juan Jabloteh, W Connection, St Ann’s Rangers and Morvant Caledonia United – was due to the teams’ failure to submit financial statements to the Sport Company of TT (SporTT).
Sancho, a former Sports Minister, said in a telephone interview yesterday, “I understand there (are) procedures but if one club is compliant, you should make sure that they’re the one that’s getting. Who’re not compliant, they should get when they become compliant.”
Sancho, the former national football team defender, continued, “It shouldn’t be where players are in this kind of situation, after making a promise from June 1 that they’ll be getting subventions.”
The Central FC boss also wondered if the Ministry adopted a similar approach towards the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) before the awarding of $20 million, for the staging of the finals of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 editions.
“Why is it different for a foreign entity than a local one?” Sancho questioned.
Asked if the issue about release of funds was different for the Pro League and the CPL due to the magnitude of the events, Sancho replied, “Once you’re receiving money from the Government, it’s nothing different. Government procedures don’t look at (any) state entities or individually-based matters.”
He added, “The CPL is no different from the Pro League. It shouldn’t be any different.”
The 2018 TT Pro League season will kick off on August 3.
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Pro League CEO under fire.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
As Sportsmax TV deal in jeopardy.
New T&T Pro League Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julia Baptiste has found herself in hot water after a decision to reveal August 3 as the starting date for the League, and essentially go against a decision of the Board.
A few TT Pro League Board members, wishing to remain anonymous, are fuming over this announcement, as they believe it could potentially affect a sponsorship deal with Caribbean Sports Television Network Sportsmax, the Ministry of Tourism and the T&T Pro League moving forward.
One Board member said the parties were close to sealing a deal that would enable the League to be televised live on Sportsmax, through the help of the Ministry of Tourism.
The deal is expected to provide the cash-strapped Pro League with much-needed advertising revenue, particularly in the midst of the current economic situation.
Guardian Media Sports learnt that the Board made a decision on Monday to push back the start of the League until an agreement was reached, and monies to pay prizes etc could be determined.
But according to the members, Baptiste decided that the August 3 start would remain, without consulting the Board, and thereby creating anger among members.
They are hoping her decision does not hamper the parties closing the deal, as a gala launch would be held if an agreement is made. Sportsmax CEO Oliver Mc Intosh is already scheduled to arrive in T&T on Sunday to continue talks and possibly sign.
Another Board member said yesterday: “Even an agreement will take another six weeks then we should wait because it will change the League and improve the financial position we have found ourselves in.”
He added, “I think television is the only thing to save the pro league at this point, as people across T&T, the region and the globe will be exposed to it and it will lead to advertising revenue.”
When contacted yesterday, Baptiste said she did not want to discuss matters of the Board in the public domain and would do so at the next meeting. The Board members, it is understood, have asked for an urgent meeting to deal with the matter and are awaiting a response.
For the past years, the League was played with no cash prizes available and winning clubs are still clinging to a promise that it will be forthcoming.
It is hoped an agreement among the parties will put the League in a position of financial stability and its dependence on government for help will one day be a thing of the past.
A few days ago, Central FC players don their football boots in protest of the promised $50,000 grant from government for clubs through the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. The promised amount is expected to help clubs pay salaries to players.
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Pro League 2018 Championship to commence on August 10
T&T Pro League Media
Coming out of an emergency meeting of the TT Pro League Board of Directors held at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on Monday, Chairman Richard Fakoory has advised that a decision has been taken to commence the 2018 Pro League championship on Friday 10th August.
Following intense discussions, the Board of Directors took this decision to allow for further negotiations between possible partners. Mr. Fakoory said that the Board has also agreed that if completion of negotiations does not take place before the agreed start date, the League will commence, pending continued negotiations.
When asked about the previously given start date of August 3rd given by the Chief Executive Officer Julia Baptiste, Mr. Fakoory responded that at the time the CEO gave the information, it was correct.
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Pro League starts August 10 amid funding woes
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
THE 2018 season of the TT Pro League will finally begin on August 10, two weeks after its original opening date.
Pro League CEO Julia Baptiste, in an interview last week, said the League, which was set to kick off on July 27, was pushed back by a week to August 3. In a press release yesterday, the Pro League delayed the start of the new season by another week.
Pro League Chairman Richard Fakoory, discussing Monday’s board meeting, said, “We voted on what date to start, when the clubs will have their houses in order; it’s not a unanimous decision, it was a close decision, but it was in favour of going to the 10th.”
This season, which is expected to run until December, will feature two rounds of matches with each team playing each other twice.
There has also been concerns over the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs’ refusal to issue subventions to eight of the 10 participating clubs – reigning champs North East Stars, W Connection, Club Sando, Point Fortin Civic, Central FC, St Ann’s Rangers, Morvant Caledonia United and San Juan Jabloteh.
Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe has made it clear that all the clubs (excluding Police FC and Defence Force) must be compliant – especially with their financial records – before the subventions are released via the Sports Company of TT (SporTT).
Newsday has been informed that W Connection and Point Fortin Civic are not yet compliant with SporTT’s policy. According to a source, Connection is expected to submit all their documents to SporTT by Friday.
Addressing the issue of compliance, Renee John-Williams, president of W Connection, said yesterday, “W Connection (is) compliant with the TTFA (TT Football Association). It’s a TTFA issue but I wouldn’t comment publicly on my club’s internal matters. We’re TTFA compliant.”
Reynold Carrington, coach/manager of Point Fortin Civic, said yesterday compliance was an upper management issue and he is currently focusing on preparing the team for the new season.
SporTT chairman Douglas Camacho urged the clubs to become fully compliant so that funds will be released.
“I know that the Cabinet had approved of some funds for football to be used specifically for the clubs in the Pro League,” Camacho said. “I imagine the process will be now that they will ensure that the Pro League clubs are compliant, and once everything is in order then they’ll make the request through the Ministry of Sport for the release of the funds. I know it’ll be dependent on all the clubs being compliant.”
Fakoory, who replaced Joseph Sam Phillip as the league’s chairman earlier this year, shared Camacho’s views.
“All clubs will have to be compliant,” he said. “Those clubs who are not compliant will just have to put in (their documents) and then we’ll all be on board. We have affirmative confirmation that the subvention is there for (the league), it’s just that we have to put our house in order. I would continue to say, with or without Government subvention, football will play.”
Fakoory, who is also owner of St Ann’s Rangers, continued, “Some clubs will cry and say they can’t play without it, but you know what, they will. I know the subvention is forthcoming.”
Another owner, Central FC’s Brent Sancho, said his club was the first among the Pro League bunch to be fully compliant. But he is wondering why his club is suffering due to the tardiness of a few. Central FC players, who won the First Citizens Cup less than two weeks ago, have gone on strike as they’ve not been paid for several months.
“As it stands right now, we’re still awaiting word,” he said. “Central (was) the first club to be compliant.”
He continued, “A lot of the players are still committed to the club. It’s a bit of disappointment. There is a belief around the camp that football just has not been treated right over the last two years.”
Sancho, the ex-national team defender, is wondering if the funds are really available to distribute to the clubs.
“We had a similar situation when the last time we were given subventions there were several clubs that weren’t compliant, and they gave cheques to the clubs that weren’t,” Sancho said. “To me, it seems like it’s a stalling tactic. I have to question whether or not the money is really there. This league is the premier league of the country,” he declared.
The former Sports Minister said he is also struggling to attract sponsors to invest in his club.
“Over the last two to three weeks, we must have sent out over 60 e-mails to potential sponsors, asking to sponsor the club or sponsor a particular player (but) we haven’t had any word back. I’ve lost faith with corporate Trinidad and Tobago,” said Sancho.
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Compliant Pro League clubs to get funding.
By Stephon Nicholas (Newsday).
W Connection, Point Fortin Civic still lacking but….
THE Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs has given the green light for Pro league clubs that are compliant with the policy of the Ministry and Sport Company to immediately access their Government subvention.
The Ministry made the announcement in a press release yesterday, exactly one week before the league commences. The Ministry confirmed a Newsday report earlier this week which revealed W Connection and Point Fortin Civic were the only clubs who failed to submit their financial documents and statements to become compliant. The Ministry said W Connection indicated their auditor was out of the country but would have submitted the remaining documents by yesterday. Point Fortin Civic have not responded.
Renee John-Williams, owner of W Connection, questioned about her club’s lack of compliance, told Newsday in an interview earlier this week, “W Connection (is) compliant with the TTFA (TT Football Association). It’s a TTFA issue but I wouldn’t comment publicly on my club’s internal matters. We’re TTFA compliant.”
The Ministry reiterated yesterday that self-sufficiency is supposed to be the aim of the Pro League as Government has pumped $76 million into the league from 2005-2017.
The Ministry said although $11.1 million was approved by Cabinet to assist the league for the next three years, funding will be reduced annually. Each club will receive $600,000 in year one, $450,000 in year two and $337,500 in the final year.
Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe and Sport Company Chairman Douglas Camacho confirmed that compliant clubs will get their subventions. Their comments are in contrast with a previous stance that all clubs would have to be compliant before funding is disbursed.
Cudjoe said, “We already transferred the money to SporTT.”
The Minister queried why compliance has become such a problem for some clubs as when discussions were held with the Pro League in April-May this year, no club raised an issue that it would be a challenge.
“We can’t make assumptions outside the discussions we had...That is the agreement we had,” she said.
She said the requirements stipulated by the Ministry and SporTT are no different from that which existed in the past so it should be no surprise to clubs what they needed to produce.
Although relieved to finally get funding, the withholding of subventions has not gone down well with one club owner. Brent Sancho, owner of Central FC, has been fuming as his players have gone on strike since winning the First Citizens Cup on July 20. He said his club was one of the first to become compliant. The Sports Ministry revealed yesterday Club Sando and St Ann’s Rangers were the first to submit documents (July 12), followed by Central FC (July 16), Morvant Caledonia (July 20), North East Stars (July 21) and San Juan Jabloteh (July 23).
Sancho said the decision to release the funds to only those clubs that are compliant should have been done long ago as it did not make sense to punish those who followed the regulations because of an errant few. He said the delay will hurt the standard of football to start the 2018 season.
“It will hamper the football in general. We’ve gone a year-plus without subvention and the damage has been done,” he said.
Asked whether he is steering the club to self-sufficiency,” the ex-Sports Minister said, “ We have survived without it (subvention) before, but with the current economic climate, it is very difficult.”
He said most leagues worldwide have some form of Government assistance, but said a television deal is imperative to boost the league.
Sancho, a former national footballer, expressed disappointment in the lack of corporate support for the league given the thrilling First Citizens Cup final recently which featured a number of young players who put on an enthralling display of football.
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Compliant clubs still waiting for funding.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
Pro League 2018 season kicks off Friday but…
COMPLIANT Pro League clubs Central FC, North East Stars, St Ann’s Rangers, Morvant Caledonia United, Club Sando and San Juan Jabloteh, are yet to receive their promised Government subvention from the Sport Company.
Last Friday, the Ministry issued a media release, which noted that each compliant club will receive $600,000 this year, $450,000 next year and $337,500 in 2020. Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe revealed then that the money had already been transferred to the Sport Company for disbursement to compliant clubs.
W Connection and Point Fortin Civic were yet to submit their financial documents and statements to become compliant.
Chairman of the TT Pro League, Richard Fakoory, said yesterday that he is yet to get any feedback from the compliant clubs about the disbursement of funds.
“All the (media said) that it’s going to happen supposedly by the end of this week,” said Fakoory. “But nobody’s spoken to me at this point in time.”
Fakoory, who is also the owner of St Ann’s Rangers, said, “I don’t think any club has got it, but we (Rangers) surely didn’t get it. It’s forthcoming and that’s all I know. But nobody has contacted me at least.”
Asked if he was contacted from any official from the Sports Ministry, Fakoory replied, “Nobody from anywhere.”
The 2018 season will begin with a double-header on Friday, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Jabloteh will square off against Point Fortin in the opening match, followed by a showdown between Defence Force and Morvant Caledonia United.
Fakoory pointed out that the clubs have received the draft fixtures for the 2018 season. “If they have any problems they can go back to (the League) to explain or to query any changes. But I don’t think any of that has happened.”
Fakoory replaced Joseph Sam Phillip as League chairman in April.
Asked about his expectations for this season, Fakoory replied, “I know it’s going to be a tight season. I think it’s going to be very exciting. All the clubs are involved and will be playing every weekend (two matches on Fridays and three on Saturdays), and Tuesdays (five matches).”
He continued, “(The season) will probably finish in December. It’s going to be very close but it’s good for our national players to be playing. I think it’s going to be very competitive too.
“Looking at the First Citizens Cup, a couple clubs stand out as clubs to be respected. Defence Force, Central FC, W Connection and Police are surely the four top clubs. I’m giving Club Sando an outside chance,” Fakoory added.
During the past couple seasons, community grounds have been used, notably the Barataria Recreation Ground and Morvant Recreation Ground, by Jabloteh and Morvant Caledonia respectively.
Fakoory is hopeful that community grounds can be used this season, providing that they meet Pro League standards.
“The intentions are (that) we want it in the community but sometimes some of the community grounds are not properly adequate for both teams, like dressing rooms,” he said. “There are a lot of problems. Some clubs who could do it, they are doing it. Like me, for one, I do not have a community ground so I would have to use one of the stadiums.”
He continued, “Of course, it’s a professional league and some grounds are not ready for professional football. But any club that feel that their ground is capable, we have a committee who will inspect the ground, and we will play. That’s what we want, that’s always the intention of the Pro League.”
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Pro League clubs get $4.8m back pay today.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
The eight Pro League football clubs in T&T will receive their promised subventions for the financial period September 2017- October 2018 today.
Among the clubs to benefit is W Connection FC, the only one that is still non-compliant. The Savonetta Boys as they are popularly known, have been given a ‘bligh’ as it is set to cash in on a $4.8 million cheque payout scheduled to take place at the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) in Balmain, Couva this afternoon, in spite of demands by the Sport Company of T&T and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs recently, for clubs to be compliant to receive funding.
On Monday, Renee John-Williams, the club’s representative said they could not submit audited financial statements and the strategic plan required to be compliant, as the club’s auditor is still out of the country.
Apart from W Connection, a multiple-time winner of nearly every title on offer in the Pro League, the clubs scheduled to receive retroactive payments at 2 pm are Morvant Caledonia United, Central FC, Club Sando, St Ann’s Rangers, San Juan Jabloteh, last year’s defending champions North East Stars and Point Fortin Civic, which submitted its compliant documents on Friday last.
Guardian Media Sports was reliably informed, however, that the Government, through the Ministry of Sports and Sport Company, will no longer deal with the T&T Pro League directly with regards to payments of subventions, and will instead channel all payments through the parent body, the T&T Football Association, which will then distribute the monies to the League for the clubs.
The reason, it is understood, is to ensure strict transparency and accountability when dealing with the public purse.
However, Anthony Creed, the executive manager of the Sports Development and Performance Unit at SporTT said yesterday he was unaware that such a decision had been made. He said if it was, then it would have come from the Board of the SporTT.
The league, which has faced three delays to its start of the 2018 season, will kick-off on Friday with a Super Friday double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium from 6 pm that pits San Juan Jabloteh against Point Fortin Civic, last season’s fifth and seventh-place finishers, respectively.
In the other game, Morvant Caledonia United will square-off with Defence Force from 8 pm. Matches will continue on August 11. The League will only be hampered by three FIFA international breaks from—September 3-11, October 8-16 and November 12-20.
A pro league release sent out yesterday said the season will be a quick-fire one that will run through to November 24 and will comprise two rounds of football.
The league will also attempt to bring back the traditional Pro Bowl competition which is expected to be played in December.
RELATED NEWS
Pro League season kicks off in Couva.
By Stephon Nicholas (Newsday).
THE new Pro League regular season will kick off on Friday with an interesting Super Friday double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. The league will run to November 24 with 10 clubs battling for supremacy in a quick-fire calendar over two rounds.
The quick-fire calendar will have three breaks for the FIFA international windows – September 3-11, October 8-16 and November 12-20.
The Pro League plans to end the 2018 calendar, which kicked off on June 1 with the curtain-raising Charity Shield and the First Citizens Cup, with the return of the Pro Bowl knockout between November 26-December 14.
The opening Super Friday double-header in Couva kicks off from 6 pm and pits San Juan Jabloteh against Point Fortin Civic, last season’s fifth and seventh-place finishers respectively.
Morvant Caledonia will suit up for their opening league fixture from 8 pm in the second game of the Super Friday double-header against Defence Force FC, and will seek revenge against the Tetron Boys outfit that knocked them out of the First Citizens Cup at the semi-final stage on July 13 to advance into the final with a comfortable 4-0 win.
Central FC, the three-time former league champions, will now look to put to rest last season’s troubling second-from-bottom league finish, and there is no better way to try and improve confidence than against the defending champions North East Stars from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima on Saturday.
North East Stars are virtually a new bunch from the side that enjoyed league success last year under then coach Derek King.
New coach Zoran Vranes must now hope that his almost rookie North East Stars’ bunch would have learned a lot over their five competitive outings this season – which all ended in defeats – as they must now face a star-studded Central possibly still on a high from lifting the First Citizens Cup on July 20.
On Sunday, the action returns to the Ato Boldon Stadium with a mouth-watering double-header with home team W Connection taking on last season’s cellar-placed St. Ann’s Rangers from 4 pm before Club Sando and Police FC lock horns from 6 pm.
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Shabazz: Give us land, treat us like cricket.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
8 Pro football clubs get $4.8m
“Give football clubs lands and make them self-sustainable in the future,” said an emotional Jamaal Shabazz. He believes this will eliminate the clubs’ dependency on Government for funding.
His plea comes as Government, through the Sports Company of T&T (SporTT) distributed promised cheques totalling $4.8 million to eight T&T Pro League football clubs including Club Sando, North East Stars, St Ann’s Rangers, Central FC, Point Fortin Civic, San Juan Jabloteh, Morvant Caledonia United and W Connection, for the financial period September 2017 to October 2018.
However, W Connection, which is still non-compliant, will receive its monies when the club’s auditor returns from abroad and signs off its outstanding documents.
The handing-over was attended by SporTT director Hayden Mitchell, the chief executive officer (CEO) Jason Williams, director of Physical Education and Sports Patrice Charles, Pro League chairman Richard Fakoory, T&T Football Association president David John-Williams and other club representatives at the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) in Balmain, Couva.
Shabazz, the lead administrator at Morvant Caledonia, responded to concerns raised about a possible solution to Government’s constant injection of funds to save the Pro League, its clubs and by extension, the sport in general, through which hundreds of stakeholders survive, and national teams are resourced.
According to Shabazz, “Give us the grounds in the communities and I guarantee it will stop us from going back to the Government for help.
“It seems the easier thing is to give us a cheque so the dependency will continue. However, if we get the community fields we are able to wean our clubs off government funding.”
Shabazz believes football’s problem is ingrained deep within the psyche of T&T’s people, saying the concept of feeding us a fish rather than to teaching us how to fish has been a major downfall for T&T as a people.
He pointed to the difference with the sport of cricket, where Preysal and Clarke Road operate grounds that are under the control of Regional Corporations. “The man called football remains landless while the man called Mr cricket can stand on his own.”
“His corporation gave him land and a means to make money, while we get a cheque and no land to develop our vision into becoming a Queen’s Park. If we get the grounds for ourselves, in that way we will get off our knees and stop begging the Government for help,” Shabazz noted.
Fakoory too believes football will not stand on its own if clubs are not given a means to generate its own revenues.
Government’s $4.8 million injection into football was the first of three to be given in as many years, aimed at helping clubs and the League to put its house in order financially. The money is expected to help teams pay salaries.
John-Williams said they are grateful for the financial assistance by the Government which comes at a time when the sport has been short on investors.
It is expected that each club will get $50,000 each a month for 14 months ending October 2018. The league kicks-off on Friday.
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Hashim Arcia earns D/Force winning league start against Morv’t Caledonia and Jabloteh and Civic play to goalless draw.
ttproleague.com.
Defence Force FC begun the new 2018 Pro League championship campaign with a victory on opening night, Friday, but had their work cut out against an improved Morvant Caledonia United outfit which they managed to overcome 4-3 in the second game of a Super Friday double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Substitute Hashim Arcia scored the winner for coach Marvin Gordon’s side, after the Tetron Boys twice needed to come from behind with Devorn Jorsling (38) and an own goal credited to Morvant Caledonia’s Jomokie Cassimy (58) cancelling out strikes by Morvant Caledonia’s Quincy Ballah (31) and R3naldo Francois (40).
Brent Sam (66) gave Defence Force the lead for the first time before Sheldon Holder (70) levelled the Eastern Stallions. But Arcia (73) had the last say, grabbing the winner in an enthralling affair after San Juan Jabloteh and Point Fortin Civic played to a dreadful goalless stalemate in the opening game.
Morvant Caledonia started brightly, but saw Kerry Daniel, Kareem Joseph and Holder all denied by Defence Force goalkeeper Andre Marchan in the first six minutes.
Marchan, however, was hung out to dry by his defence on the half hour mark and Ballah put the Jerry Moe-coached Morvant Caledonia 1-0 ahead with a cool finish after Francois, picked out by Holder in the box, rolled a feed across the area.
Jorsling levelled Defence Force 1-1 with a simple tap in on Terrence Lewis’s goal on 38 minutes when Thurlani George headed a Sam cross back into the six yard area.
But Morvant Caledonia were back in front two minutes later, for a 2-1 lead which they took in at the break, thanks to a finish from Francois who had earlier unleashed a stinger which troubled Marchan.
Morvant Caledonia looked on their way to exacting revenge over the side that thumped them 4-0 in the semi-finals of the First Citizens Cup a month ago, but for a second time allowed the narrow lead to slip – this time by their own doing.
Referee Kwinsi Williams credited the goal to Cassimy, the defender he said inadvertently headed into his own net two minutes from the hour mark on a corner swung in by Dylon King who was denied by ‘keeper Lewis.
Sam then handed Defence Force the lead for the first time on 66 minutes with his sixth goal in all competitions this season when he beat Lewis in mid-air to win an Aklie Edwards cross before nodding a header into the net for a 3-2 lead.
That too, was however short-lived when only seconds onto the pitch Morvant Caledonia debutant Shem Clauzel was influential in setting up Holder to find the back of the soldiers’ net to put the scores at 3-3 in the 70th minute.
But a double-substitution made by Gordon early in the second half would pay huge dividends – full three points to be exact – after Arcia, picked out by a squared pass from Jameel Cooper from the left, thundered a strike through the legs of Lewis from 20 yards out in the 73rd minute for the eventual 4-3 winner.
Morvant Caledonia must next travel to Civic from 7pm at the Mahaica Oval on Tuesday in Match Day Two in search of their first point/s, while Defence Force will host St. Ann’s Rangers from 7pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Wednesday.
Today (Saturday) Match Day One continues with defending champions North East Stars hosting recently crowned First Citizens Cup champions Central FC from 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
The action returns to Ato Boldon Stadium on Sunday with W Connection against St. Ann’s Rangers from 4pm followed by Club Sando taking on Police FC from 6pm.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 1
San Juan Jabloteh 0 vs Point Fortin Civic 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC 4 (Devorn Jorsling 38’, Jomokie Cassimy Own Goal 58’, Brent Sam 66’, Hashim Arcia 73’) vs Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Quincy Ballah 31’, Renaldo Francois 40’, Sheldon Holder 70’), at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
San Juan Jabloteh: 30.Shemel Louison (GK); 3.Travis Joseph, 10.Jomoul Francois, 13.Kristoff John, 15.Dellon Jagessar, 16.Jamal Spencer, 17.Sean Bonval (9.Jaydon Prowell 70th minute), 18.Jevon Morris, 20.Elton John (Capt.) (4.Nical Stephens 63rd minute), 24.Kareem Eastman, 25.Nickell Orr (19.Joel Lewis 54th minute).
Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK); 2.Nicholai Orr, 7.Elijah Manners, 12.Keron Bethelmy.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Point Fortin Civic: 22.Miles Goodman (GK); 7.Hughtun Hector (Capt.), 8.Jamal John, 10.Jabari Mitchell (12.Rondel Phillip 81st minute), 11.Akeem Redhead, 19.Nathaniel Garcia (24.Akinola Gregory 83rd minute), 20.Bevon Bass, 21.Ronell Paul, 27.Darnell Hospedales, 30.Nion Lammy (6.Judah Garcia 65th minute), 33.Justin Sadoo.
Unused substitutes: 1.Jasse Aguillerra (GK); 14.Shaquille John, 15.Nideon Noel, 25.Shaquille Dublin.
Coach: Reynold Carrington
Referee: Marlon Peruse
Game 2
Defence Force FC: 1.Andre Marchan (GK); 4.Dave Long (32.Jameel Cooper 52nd minute), 6.Rodell Elcock, 8.Brent Sam (23.Kerry Joseph 77th minute), 9.Devorn Jorsling, 13.Marvin Jones, 17.Curtis Gonzales, 19.Thurlani George (10.Hashim Arcia 52nd minute), 21.Aklie Edwards, 45.Dylon King, 99.Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.).
Unused substitutes: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK); 5.Jerome Mc Intyre, 16.Kellon Serrette, 20.Levi Serries.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 3.Richard Williams, 4.Maurice Ford, 5.Joshua Sylvester, 10.Sheldon Holder (9.Sedale Mc Lean 82nd minute), 11.Quincy Ballah, 12.Kareem Joseph (Capt.) (8.Andrew Murray 74th minute), 17.Kerry Daniel, 19.Renaldo Francois (21.Shem Clauzel 69th minute), 22.Joshua Alexander, 28.Jomokie Cassimy.
Unused substitutes: 30.Dejourn Charles (GK); 15.Malik Mieres, 16.Travell Edwards, 26.Jair Edwards.
Coach: Jerry Moe
Referee: Kwinsi Williams
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Akim Armstrong brace good enough for Central as Couva Sharks beat Pro League holders North East Stars.
ttproleague.com.
Akim Armstrong’s first-half brace proved enough to earn Central FC a routine 2-0 win over North East Stars, the defending Pro League (PL) champions, today at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar.
The Stars, less than a shadow of the bunch that celebrated the PL title under Derek King last season, fell behind after only two minutes when Armstrong prodded in a Keron Cummings’ cross to belly the back of goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel’s net.
Armstrong grabbed his second on 35 minutes with a cool finish at the back post after Samuel had stretched to his left to spoon out a strike from Duane Muckette. But with Samuel’s defence almost absent and the ball landing in the path of the eventual double-scorer, Central were comfortably in front 2-0.
Armstrong, who joined Central this year from Club Sando, took his tally to four goals in all domestic competitions for the Couva Sharks, snapping a five-game drought since scoring both goals in a 2-0 won over St. Ann’s Rangers in their opening group play of the First Citizens Cup on June 10.
Central went all the way to celebrate the First Citizens Cup on July 20 with a 4-2 penalty win over Defence Force FC following a 2-2 draw, and today enjoyed a winning start to their 2018 PL campaign against their former coach, Yugoslav-boorn Zoran Vranes, who returned Trinidad this year as part of North East Stars’ new management’s player development approach.
Central were the sole aggressors throughout while North East Stars struggled to test the Couva Sharks’ Trinidad and Tobago national team goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.
Vranes’ side came closest to testing Phillip in the fourth minute when Kyle Bartholomew’s pass from the left picked out Rakim Cabie. A timely challenge however stopped Cabie in his tracks but defender Dwight Pope injured his thigh in the process, forcing Central assistant coach Walt Noriega – caretaking in absence of Stern John – into a premature change with Anthony Charles entering play.
Muckette and Cummings, both from set pieces, and Dominic Douglas with drilled attempt just wide, all gave North East Stars and Samuel worrying moments before the break.
The Couva Sharks however failed to convert chances in the second half, most notably when Samuel denied Cummings at point blank in the 90th minute, getting glove to the midfielder’s header off a Taryk Sampson cross before substitute Obadele Dickson was denied by the upright on the rebound.
Cabie then made a clearance at the goalmouth to keep out a Muckette strike after Cummings cued up his hardworking midfield partner in stoppage time.
North East Stars may have walked away at the final whistle pleased to avoid a heavier defeat against a star-studded Couva Sharks, but not with a sixth consecutive loss from as many matches in all competitions this season. Vranes’ bunch must now train their focus on San Juan Jabloteh, who they host at the same Larry Gomes Stadium from 4pm on Tuesday.
Central meanwhile have started top of the PL standings, moving ahead of Defence Force FC, 4-3 winners over Morvant Caledonia United yesterday, by goal-difference with their fourth consecutive win in all competitions and sixth victory from seven outings.
Central will look to another three points against Club Sando, in what should be a tougher challenge on Wednesday from 6pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Sando will kick off their 2018 PL campaign on Sunday (tomorrow) against Police FC from 6pm in the second game of a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium. W Connection will take on a fresh-look St. Ann’s Rangers in the first match from 4pm.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 1
North East Stars 0 vs Central FC 2 (Akim Armstrong 2’, 35’), at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Teams
North East Stars: 1.Glenroy Samuel (GK); 4.Sean Bateau (Capt.), 5.Sowande Preito, 7.Hayden Tinto, 11.Kyle Bartholomew, 15.Lashawn Roberts (2.Jabari Brathwaite 46th minute), 16.Daniel La Croix (33.Terrel Roberts 78th minute), 18.Josiah Daniel, 19.Kerdell Sween, 23.Sherwyn Williams (13.Jankeon Alexander 55th minute), 24.Rakim Cabie.
Unused substitute: 21.Javon Sample (GK).
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 5.Dwight Pope (27.Anthony Charles 10th minute), 8.Akim Armstrong, 10.Keron Cummings, 12.Taryk Sampson, 13.Rhondel Gibson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel (29.Kerry Baptiste 61st minute), 19.Jared London 22.Jameel Neptune, 24.Duane Muckette (Capt.), 26.Dominic Douglas (17.Obadele Dickson 78th minute).
Unused substitutes: 7.Hakim Baird, 9.Jamal Gay, 18.Densill Theobald.
Assistant Coach: Walt Noriega
Referee: Cecile Hinds
Upcoming Games
(Sunday 12 August)
W Connection vs St. Ann’s Rangers, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando vs Police FC, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
(Tuesday 14 August)
North East Stars vs San Juan Jabloteh, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic vs Morvant Caledonia United, 7pm at Mahaica Oval.
(Wednesday 15 August)
Club Sando vs Central FC, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection vs Police FC, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs St. Ann’s Rangers, 7pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
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Jomal Williams scores on Connection return in win over new-look Rangers; Tyrone Charles leads Sando to win over Police.
ttproleague.com.
Trinidad and Tobago international Jomal Williams marked his return to W Connection with a goal to complete a 3-0 rout for the Savonetta Boys over a new-look St. Ann’s Rangers on Sunday in their opening game of the 2018 Pro League campaign.
On a weekend that earlier saw rivals Defence Force FC and Central FC win, it was important that Connection started the new league campaign in solid fashion as assistant coach and former striker Earl Jean stood caretaker in absence of head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier who is away on international duty with the T&T Under-14s.
Connection’s display however was marred by a basket of missed chances - albeit dominating a Rangers side that fielded eight Pro League debutants between ages 17 – 23, including 17-year-old goalkeeper Josiah Perez who gave a Man-of-the-Match performance with no less than a dozen stops inclusive of a double-save in the second half to deny ace Marcus Joseph and a rebound effort from Daniel Diaz.
Rangers executed a complete overhaul in July, splitting from partner MIC-IT and coach Adrian Roman, making way for new corporate partner Terminix, and a way for debutant coach Dave “Hog Head” Quamina, his supporting staff, and a new player roster.
“We weren’t bad,” said Quamina, who dressed the part - black jacket, a pair of black trousers and a white shirt – for the occasion in the first game of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium. “It’s just that we were against W Connection.”
Club Sando also joined winners’ row by completing Match Day One with a 2-1 win over Police FC in the second game of Sunday’s double header.
Tyrone Charles gave Sando the lead in stoppage-time of the first half by turning debutant Shackiel Henry’s cross past Adrian Foncette - a strike that would have surely new assistant coach and former T&T international Cornell Glen proud - before a Kevon Piper effort ricocheted off Kurdell Brathwaite to cushion Angus Eve’s men on the hour and referee Rashby Mc Phie awarding the own goal to the Police defender.
Police were lucky not to concede in the 44th minute when a Keron Cornwall free kick cannoned off the upright.
Kareem Freitas pulled back a goal for Police with a thump nine minutes from time, though it wasn’t enough to stage a late comeback for Richard Hood’s Lawmen who were denied twice in the first half by brilliant stops from Sando goalkeeper Kelvin Henry, possibly spurred on by Perez’s performance in the earlier contest.
Marcus Joseph brilliantly executed finish after controlling off his chest a deep cross from Adan Noel ahead of defender Fedric Commissiong to lift a shot into the roof of Perez’s net on 18 minutes stood the only item that separated Connection from their opponents before the break after the heroics of the Rangers ‘keeper.
It was not until late that substitutes Kennedy Hinkson and Jomal Williams added two quick-fire goals to earn Connection a respectable 3-0 score.
Hinkson smashed a Kurt Frederick cross off the underside of the bar to cushion Connection 2-0 in the 90th minute before Williams completed a move involving Kierron Mason and Kadeem Corbin with a curling strike past a hapless Perez in stoppage time.
“It’s great to be back after such a long time and hitting the back of the net on my return,” said Williams, 24, who is back in Trinidad after loan stints in Mexico and Azerbaijan with Murcielagos and Zira PFK, respectively.
“It is always an honour to play for W Connection and in my home league. A lot of new faces to me at Connection, but the players are all of a high level and I’m excited for the games ahead.”
Williams, who says there is the possibility of returning to South America by year’s end, said his playing experiences in Mexico and Azerbaijan was “very good” and that “the level of play was very high in both leagues.”
Connection returns to action on Wednesday against Police from 8pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, while Rangers will face another tough challenge against Defence Force from 7pm on the same day at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Quamina felt there were positives for Rangers and believes his side can improve after their display against Connection.
“Almost our entire squad were making their Pro League debut today, including me … including the management,” said the Rangers coach. “And we did well against W Connection – the most successful team in the history of the league. I saw a lot of positives with our discipline in trying to stifle them (Connection) as much as possible, although we were a bit slow on the transition. But we can only get better from here on.
“W Connection were no easy team and we did well. We lapsed in two minutes at the end and gave away two more goals [for the heavy defeat.”
Lukeman Brooks, Miquel Williams, Tyrese Williams and Jalineo O’Rosco were also among teenagers that started against Connection and led by a 23-year-old Rangers captain, Chadley David.
Former Morvant Caledonia midfielder Taje Commissiong and Xae-Pierre Defou and Lukeman, two of only three Rangers players retained from Romain’s era, were the only starters with top-flight experience to Quamina’s team.
Miquel Williams had a great opportunity to level Rangers on 78 minutes after Connection were caught on a break by Taje Commissiong, but the forward nervously skied his attempt from inside the box, over bar.
“Our ambition is two-fold,” explained Quamina. “We want to produce quality for the [Trinidad and Tobago] national team by the time the 2022 World Cup qualifiers come around. We also want to build the club into one that can challenge for titles in the future.
“And the only way we can move forward is to try and develop a young team – it is a project.”
Results - Round 1 Match Day 1
W Connection 3 (Marcus Joseph 18’, Kennedy Hinkson 90’, Jomal Williams 90’+2) vs St. Ann’s Rangers 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando 2 (Tyrone Charles 45’+2, Kurdell Brathwaite Own Goal 59’) vs Police FC 1 (Kareem Freitas 81’), at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams, 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard (27.Kierron Mason 74th minute), 9.Kadeem Corbin, 10.Dimitrie Apai (7.Jomal Williams 71st minute), 11.Adan Noel, 19.Briel Thomas, 20.Daniel Diaz (23.Kennedy Hinkson 81st minute), 99.Marcus Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 8.Jameel Antoine, 15.Otev Lawrence, 26.Isaiah Garcia.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
St. Ann’s Rangers: 50.Josiah Perez (GK); 4.Lukeman Brooks, 53.Chadley David (Capt.), 54.Fedric Commissiong, 55.Alexis Blackwell, 56.Taje Commissiong, 57.Miquel Williams, 58.Cedric Commissiong, 60.Tyrese Williams (76.Jerrell Hibbert 46th minute), 65.Jalineo O’Rosco, 78.Xae-Pierre Defou (77.Shaquille Thomas 46th minute).
Unused substitutes: 22.Jabari St. Hillaire (GK), 62.Leonardo Da Costa, 63.Leandro Da Costa, 72.Anthony Kallicharan, 74.Deyshawn Edwards.
Coach: Dave Quamina.
Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Game 2
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 5.Trevin Latapy (21.Derron John 87th minute), 6.Kemuel Rivers, 7.Akeem Humphrey, 8.Kevon Piper, 9.Shackiel Henry (19.Quinn Rodney 77th minute), 10.Keron Cornwall, 12.Michael Basdeo, 17.Tyrone Charles (16.Micahh Lansiquot 66th minute), 23.Nicholas Thomas, 27.Jayson Joseph (Capt.).
Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkley (GK); 13.Shakiyl Phillip, 14.Kadeem Gittens, 18.Aaron Kennedy.
Coach: Angus Eve
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK) (Capt.), 3.Ryan O’Neil (16.Brendon Creed 39th minute), 5.Kenaz Williams, 7.Kareem Perry, 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 9.Jameel Perry (19.Christon Thomas 65th minute), 10.Kareem Freitas, 12.Nequan Caruth, 15.Christian Thomas, 21.Todd Ryan (25.Kaashif Thomas 45th minute), 29.Clevon Mc Fee.
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK); 4.Kadeem Boyce, 11.Micah Lewis, 23.Shakuile Williams.
Coach: Richard Hood
Referee: Rashby Mc Phie
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WATCH: W-Connection vs St. Ann’s Rangers and Club Sando vs Police FC
https://www.youtube.com/v/PvyvKLL7gPg
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Sean Bonval gives Jabloteh taste at top of Pro League standings; Morvant Caledonia held at Civic
T&T Pro League Media
Four-time former champions San Juan Jabloteh are breathing in the air at the top for the first time in a very long time, after a narrow 1-0 win over Pro League holders North East Stars at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar on Tuesday.
The victory -- Jabloteh’s first after six attempts in all competitions this season -- lifted the Keith Jeffrey-coached San Juan Kings top of the standings with 4 points from two games.
Sean Bonval’s strike off a rebound in the 76th minute proved decisive against a North East Stars side bottom of the standings and now with seven losses from as many games in all competitions this season.
But Jabloteh’s stay at the top will undoubtedly be short-lived with W Connection, Central FC, Defence Force FC and Club Sando all tied on three points and in action on Wednesday (today).
Sando and Connection are against Central and Police FC, respectively from 6pm and 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium, while Defence Force takes on St. Ann’s Rangers from 7pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Also on Tuesday, Point Fortin Civic (2 points) registered a second consecutive draw after two league games, holding visiting Morvant Caledonia United (1 point) to a 2-2 draw at Mahaica Oval.
Richard Williams put Morvant Caledonia ahead after just three minutes with his maiden goal for the Eastern Stallions, but Malik Mieres had to level the visitors two minutes into the second half for a 2-2 draw after Nion Lammy (30) and Hughtun Hector (38) had equalized for and put the hosts ahead before the break, respectively.
Morvant Caledonia, still in search for a league will resume play on August 22 against North East Stars, a completely new side headed by a new management and staff and a bunch of players under development this season - nothing from the bunch that won the league last season under Derek King.
Bonval struck midway through the second half, but it was Jaydon Prowell, only four minutes onto the pitch against the side he started the season with, forced Samuel into a diving save. Samuel spooned the ball out as far as Bonval at the back post, and the Jabloteh winger made no mistake.
Moments earlier, Jomoul Francois, who had two attempts in the smothered in the first half, drilled a huge scoring chance just wide of the goalkeeper Samuel’s upright after controlling inside the box when substitute Elijah Manners delivered a delightful cross.
Prowell, who rolled an attempt wide in stoppage time, had earlier provided danger again for North East Stars with a right side pass into the box, but an audacious flick attempt by scorer Bonval, then a lunging attempt by Francois both were unable to find the back of Samuel’s net.
Samuel made sure of North East Stars smallest defeat of the season with a point blank save with the legs to deny Jabloteh right-back Travis Joseph, who was played in on goal by a deep diagonal feed from substitute Nical Stephens who replaced an injured Kareem Eastman after just 18 minutes.
Hayden Tinto was close to putting North East Stars ahead on 20 minutes when he drilled a low effort through a crowd and only missed Shemel Louison’s far upright by inches.
Lashawn Roberts had the chance of rescuing North East Stars to a draw in stoppage time, but the substitute failed avoid his side a seventh straight loss in all competitions by directing a cross off target at the back post.
Pro League 2018
Round 1 Match Day 2 results
(Tuesday 14 August)
North East Stars 0 vs San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Sean Bonval 76’), at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic 2 (Nion Lammy 30’, Hughtun Hector 38’) vs Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Richard Williams 3’, Malik Mieres 47’), at Mahaica Oval.
Upcoming Round 1 Match Day 2 fixtures
(Wednesday 15 August)
Club Sando vs Central FC, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection vs Police FC, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs St. Ann’s Rangers, 7pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Teams at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Tuesday
North East Stars: 1.Glenroy Samuel (GK); 2.Jabari Brathwaite, 4.Sean Bateau (Capt.), 7.Hayden Tinto, 11.Kyle Bartholomew, 13.Jankeon Alexander, 16.Daneil La Croix (15.Lashawn Roberts 79th minute), 18.Josiah Daniel, 19.Kerdell Sween, 22.Allister Bernard (8.Saleem Henry 65th minute), 24.Rakim Cabie.
Unused substitutes: 21.Javon Sample (GK); 5.Sowande Preito, 20.Dareem Daniel, 23.Sherwyn Williams, 33.Terrell Roberts.
Coach: Zoran Vranes
San Juan Jabloteh: 30.Shemel Louison (GK); 3.Travis Joseph, 10.Jomoul Francois, 12.Keron Bethelmy, 13.Kristoff John (7.Elijah Manners 59th minute), 16.Jamal Spencer, 17.Sean Bonval, 18.Jevon Morris, 19.Joel Lewis (9.Jaydon Prowell 72nd minute), 20.Elton John (Capt.), 24.Kareem Eastman (4.Nical Stephens 19th minute).
Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK); 2.Nicholai Orr, 11.Kishon Havkshaw, 15.Dellon Jagessar.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Match Referee: Kwinsi Williams
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Balthazar scores handful as Defence Force thrash Rangers 10-0; Central held by Sando, and Connection whip Police
T&T Pro League Media
Jerwyn Balthazar struck five times in the first half as Defence Force FC humiliated St. Ann’s Rangers 10-0 on Wednesday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Round One Match Day Two of the 2018 Pro League.
Balthazar, 35, Defence Force’s veteran playmaker, scored in the 19th, 21st, 32nd, 36th and 40th minutes after Thurlani George (15) opened the scoring for the Tetron Boys against Rangers, a completely new outfit under a new coaching staff headed by Dave “Hog Head” Quamina.
Dylon King (43), an ex-Rangers frontman, made it 8-nil before the break, in a half that included an own goal credited to Rangers captain Chadley David (29).
Brent Sam (48 & 61) hit the back of Rangers’ net twice in the second half to put his tally at eight goals in all competitions this season to complete the 10-0 romp against a side that are made up of mostly Pro League newcomers and more than half the “development” roster teenagers – and none above 23.
Quamina and company would have surely thought they avoided a baptism of fire, losing 3-0 against Pro League powerhouse W Connection in their opening league game last Sunday, but they did not escape the fury of top flight football by their second outing.
Defence Force (6 points) climbed top of the standings but only ahead of Connection by a superior goal difference after the Savonetta Boys whipped Police FC 4-0 in the second game of a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Central FC and Club Sando follow in third and fourth, respectively, with four points each as San Juan Jabloteh, after playing to a 1-1 draw in the first game in Couva.
Sando had led the Central from 12 minutes when recent signing Shackiel Henry got the better of experienced Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Marvin Phillip to poke the Oranges in front 1-0.
Central were dealt another blow in the 57th minute when defender Jared London, who joined the Couva Sharks this year from Sando, was shown the red card by referee Kellon Bacchus after picking up his second yellow card of the second half for a tug on Henry which took the former Point Fortin Civic and Connection forward to ground in the final third.
But just as Central caretaker Walt Noriega was about to make a tactical change at the expense of veteran poacher Kerry Baptiste with his team down to ten men, the former Pro League Player of the Year combined brilliantly with Duane Muckette in the 64th minute at the edge of the Sando area for the latter to score a wonderful equalising goal past a hapless Kelvin Henry to put the scores at 1-1 following a left side move by Jameel Neptune.
Noriega, though, still proceeded with the change with Hakim Baird replacing Baptiste, one of two starting changes from his team’s opening 2-0 league win over North East Stars.
In the night’s second game, Kadeem Corbin opened Connection’s scoring against Police with a superb volley past goalkeeper Adrian Foncette for a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute off a delightful Isaiah Garcia cross from the right to redeem himself for a missed chance in the second minute.
Connection captain and St. Kitts/Nevis international Gerard Williams cushioned the Savonetta Boys 2-0 from the penalty spot three minutes into the second half after referee CJ O’Brien ruled a handball in the box against Police defender Ryan O’Neil whose arm made contact to the ball as rolled on the ball in a sliding attempt to cut off a cross from Adan Noel.
Jomal “Bebo” Williams, for a second consecutive time since returning to Connection after loan stints in Mexico and Azerbaijan, arrived off the bench to score a brilliant solo goal which beat Foncette from 25 yards to put the score at 3-0.
Marcus “Lobo” Joseph completed the 4-0 rout in the 90th minute with his ninth goal in all competitions this season against a ‘keeper he had troubled on a few occasions on the night.
Foncette, despite ending on the wrong side of the score-line, made two excellent stoppage-time saves against Joseph.
Connection returns to play against rivals Central FC on Saturday in Match Day Three for the first Couva Clasico of the season from 6pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, preceding a 4pm clash between Defence Force and North East Stars.
Simultaneously at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Police FC will take on San Juan Jabloteh from 4pm, and from 6pm at Mahaica Oval, Club Sando will visit Point Fortin Civic.
Pro League 2018
Round 1 Match Day 2 results
(Wednesday 15 August)
Club Sando 1 (Shackiel Henry 12’) vs Central FC 1 (Duane Muckette 64’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 4 (Kadeem Corbin 35’, Gerard Williams 48’, Jomal Williams 79’, Marcus Joseph 90’) vs Police FC 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC 10 (Thurlani George 15’, Jerwyn Balthazar 19’, 21’, 32’, 36’, 40’, Chadley David Own Goal 29’, Dylon King 43’, Brent Sam 48’, 61’) vs St. Ann’s Rangers 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
(Tuesday 14 August)
North East Stars 0 vs San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Sean Bonval 76’), at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic 2 (Nion Lammy 30’, Hughtun Hector 38’) vs Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Richard Williams 3’, Malik Mieres 47’), at Mahaica Oval.
Upcoming Round 1 Match Day 3 fixtures
(Saturday 18 August)
Police FC vs San Juan Jabloteh, 4pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs North East Stars, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Central FC vs W Connection, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic vs Club Sando, 6pm at Mahaica Oval.
(Saturday 01 September)
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Morvant Caledonia United, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Wednesday
Game 1
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 5.Trevin Latapy, 6.Kemuel Rivers, 7.Akeem Humphrey, 8.Kevon Piper (19.Quinn Rodney 73rd minute), 9.Shackiel Henry, 10.Keron Cornwall (16.Micahh Lansiquot 80th minute), 12.Michael Basdeo, 17.Tyrone Charles (21.Derron John 90th minute), 23.Nicholas Thomas, 27.Jayson Joseph (Capt.).
Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkley (GK); 13.Shakiyl Phillip, 14.Kadeem Gittens, 18.Aaron Kennedy.
Coach: Angus Eve
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 8.Akim Armstrong, 10.Keron Cummings, 27.Anthony Charles, 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 22.Jameel Neptune, 19.Jared London, 24.Duane Muckette (Capt.), 26.Dominic Douglas (13.Rhondel Gibson 78th minute), 29.Kerry Baptiste (7.Hakim Baird 66th minute).
Unused substitutes: 5.Dwight Pope, 9.Jamal Gay, 17.Obadele Dickson, 18.Densill Theobald.
Caretaker: Walt Noriega
Match Officials
Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Assistant Referee 1: Johann Corneille
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Cox
Fourth Official: Marlon Peruse
Referees’ Assessor: Annaz Mohammed
Match Commissioner: Wayne Caesar
Game 2
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams, 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard (8.Jameel Antoine 84th minute), 9.Kadeem Corbin, 11.Adan Noel (27.Kierron Mason 66th minute), 19.Briel Thomas, 20.Daniel Diaz (7.Jomal Williams 46th minute), 26.Isaiah Garcia, 99.Marcus Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 1.Aquelius Sylvester (GK); 13.Caleb Sturge, 15.Otev Lawrence, 34.Cephas St. Rose.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK) (Capt.); 3.Ryan O’Neil, 5.Kenaz Williams, 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 9.Jameel Perry, 12.Nequan Caruth, 19.Christon Thomas (32.Keion Wilson 62nd minute), 23.Shakuile Williams, 25.Kaashif Thomas (13.Dillon Kirton 69th minute), 27.Rushawn Murphy (29.Clevon Mc Fee 62nd minute).
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK); 4.Kadeem Boyce, 16.Brendon Creed, 24.Xavier Wheeler.
Coach: Richard Hood
Official
Referee: CJ O’Brien
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WATCH: Highlights of Defence Force’s 10-0 win over St. Ann’s Rangers. As far as I know this is the largest defeat in the Pro League in about 10 years.
https://www.youtube.com/v/CnXGqxkfXEY
https://www.youtube.com/v/hqAlA7piiRs
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Marcus ‘Lobo’ Joseph scores Couva Clasico hat-trick in Connection 6-1 romp over Central; Stars stun Army while Sando, Jabloteh earn narrow wins.
ttproleague.com.
Marcus ‘Lobo’ Joseph scored his second hat-trick of the season in all competitions as W Connection trashed bitter rivals Central FC 6-1 in the first Couva Clasico of the 2018 Pro League campaign on Saturday.
Joseph, who was denied by the frame and twice by Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Marvin Phillip in the first half of the second match of a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium, scored his 10th, 11th and 12th goals in all competitions in the second period as Connection (9 points) recorded a third straight league win from as many matches to now lead the standings.
Joseph’s bagged his first hat-trick of the season on June 1 in a 7-1 Charity Shield win over league holders North East Stars, who, after seven straight defeats in all competitions, celebrated their best result of the campaign in the opening game of Saturday’s double-header with a late 1-1 draw with then leaders Defence Force FC.
Defence Force went ahead through an own goal credited to Lashawn Roberts after 69 minutes of brilliant goalkeeping from Glenroy Samuel kept his team in the game.
But after defender Curtis Gonzales, in a desperate effort to rescue the Tetron Boys, executed a fine piece of goalkeeping to keep out a shot from Kyle Bartholomew, the latter converted from the spot to level the game in the final minute of regular time.
Gonzales was rewarded a direct red card and his marching orders but an applause from the crowd for his heroics before Bartholomew, the only serving player from North East Stars’ league-winning team of last season, beat the elastic frame of Andre Marchan.
However what followed in the feature match, outdid expectations as Central were little match for a Connection side that welcomed the return of their head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier who was away on international duty with the T&T Under-14s.
Adan Noel and substitute Kierron Mason both celebrated their maiden league goals for the club they joined this season, netting Connection’s first and last items against the Couva Sharks on a cold wet night which also saw T&T international Jomal Williams, with an audacious lob, put his tally at three league goals in three consecutive appearances since returning to the “Savonetta Boys” following loan stints in Mexico and Azerbaijan with Murcielagos and Zira FK, respectively.
Noel put Connection ahead after just seven minutes, beating goalkeeper Phillip at the near post after collecting a Kadeem Corbin pass which dissected the Couva Sharks’ defence.
Noel, a speedy winger who joined from Club Sando, added to his shine with an assist six minutes into the second half. Noel’s low cross from the right – at the end of a sweeping move by the Savonetta Boys – was met by Marcus Joseph who turned it past Phillip for a 2-0 cushion.
Joseph got to his double on 68 minutes to extend coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier’s men’s lead, 3-0, with a powerful finish past the Phillip off a left side cross from Jomal Williams, making his first start for the season after two appearances off the bench.
Central pulled back a goal, putting the scores at 1-3 from the penalty spot through Akim Armstrong in the 80th minute after Duane Muckette was tripped in the box by defender Triston Hodge.
Connection also had a penalty shout early on in the second half after Jomal Williams went to ground in a tangle, but it wasn’t enough to convince referee Kwinsi Williams.
Jomal Williams however got his name on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute to restore Connection’s three-goal cushion with a 4-1 score by lifting the ball over a hapless Phillip to find the back of the net after combining with Joseph in the box.
Joseph then completed his hat-trick when he bundled a right side Isaiah Garcia cross into the back of Phillip’s net to make it 5-1 before Mason completed the 6-1 romp with a rasping strike past the Central goalie after a mazy run from Jomal Williams.
Club Sando and San Juan Jabloteh were also in winners’ row on Saturday, joining Defence Force on seven points after narrow wins on Saturday over Point Fortin Civic, 1-0, and Police FC, 2-1, respectively at Mahaica Oval and Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Central and Connection resumes play on Tuesday against Jabloteh and Sando respectively from 6pm and 8pm in another double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, while Defence Force will take on Police FC from 7pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
On Wednesday, Point Fortin Civic must travel to the Larry Gomes Stadium from 4pm against St. Ann’s Rangers while Morvant Caledonia United and North East Stars will lock horns from 7pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 3
Police FC 1 (Kurdell Brathwaite 53’ pen.) vs San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Sean Bonval 38’ pen, Jomoul Francois 56’), at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
Defence Force FC 1 (Lashawn Roberts 70’ Own Goal) vs North East Stars 1 (Kyle Bartholomew 90’ pen.), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Central FC 1 (Akim Armstrong 80’ pen.) vs W Connection 6 (Adan Noel 7’, Marcus Joseph 51’, 68’, 86’, Jomal Williams 83’, Kierron Mason 90’+3), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic 0 vs Club Sando 1 (Kemuel Rivers 88’ pen.), at Mahaica Oval.
Teams
Game 1
Defence Force FC: 1.Andre Marchan (GK); 5.Jerome Mc Intyre (9.Devorn Jorsling 59th minute), 6.Rodell Elcock, 8.Brent Sam, 16.Kellon Serrette (10.Hashim Arcia 54th minute), 17.Curtis Gonzales, 19.Thurlani George (32.Jameel Cooper 54th minute), 20.Levi Serries, 21.Aklie Edwards, 45.Dylon King, 99.Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.).
Unused substitutes: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK); 13.Marvin Jones, 15.Shaquille Bertrand, 77.Kendell Hitlal.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
North East Stars: 1.Glenroy Samuel (GK); 2.Jabari Brathwaite, 4.Sean Bateau (Capt.), 7.Hayden Tinto, 11.Kyle Bartholomew, 13.Jankeon Alexander (23.Sherwyn Williams 79th minute), 15.Lashawn Roberts, 16.Daneil La Croix, 18.Josiah Daniel (20.Dareem Daniel 63rd minute), 19.Kerdell Sween, 22.Allister Bernard (14.Keithen Carter 74th minute).
Unused substitutes: 21.Javon Sample (GK); 5.Sowande Preito, 24.Rakim Cabie, 33.Terrell Roberts.
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Referee: Cecile Hinds
Game 2
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 8.Akim Armstrong, 10.Keron Cummings,
12.Taryk Sampson (17.Obadele Dickson 90th minute), 13.Rhondel Gibson, 27.Anthony Charles, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 22.Jameel Neptune, 24.Duane Muckette (Capt.), 29.Kerry Baptiste (9.Jamal Gay 52nd minute), 26.Dominic Douglas (7.Hakim Baird 76th minute).
Unused substitutes: 5.Dwight Pope, 18.Densill Theobald.
Caretaker coach: Walt Noriega
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard (27.Kierron Mason 76th minute), 7.Jomal Williams, 9.Kadeem Corbin, 11.Adan Noel, 19.Briel Thomas, 26.Isaiah Garcia, 99.Marcus Joseph (20.Daniel Diaz 88th minute).
Unused substitutes: 1.Aquelius Sylvester (GK); 8.Jameel Antoine, 13.Caleb Sturge, 15.Otev Lawrence, 34.Cephas St. Rose.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Referee: Kwinsi Williams
Upcoming Games
(Tuesday 21 August)
Defence Force FC vs Police FC, 7pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Central FC vs San Juan Jabloteh, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection vs Club Sando, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
(Wednesday 22 August)
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Point Fortin Civic, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United vs North East Stars, 7pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
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WATCH: Highlights of W-Connection’s 6-1 win over Central FC. Marcus Joseph with the hat-trick. Also Defence Force’s 1-1 draw with North East Stars.
https://www.youtube.com/v/bXushA7khLQ
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WATCH: Highlights of San Juan Jabloteh’s 2-1 win over Police FC
https://www.youtube.com/v/xfMb_Y-NyVM
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Jabloteh’s Jomoul Francois double rocks Central; Marcus Joseph cracks Sando as Connection record fourth straight win.
ttproleague.com.
Jomoul Francois netted an early brace against Central FC as the Couva Sharks felt the aftershocks of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that earlier rocked the twin-island republic, losing 3-0 against San Juan Jabloteh in the first game of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
The result, which was completed by a goal from Dellon Jagessar, temporarily lifted the Keith Jeffrey-coached Jabloteh (10 points) top of the 2018 Pro League standings before W Connection (12 points), 6-1 winners over Central on Saturday, defeated Club Sando 2-0 in the second game to return to the summit with a fourth straight league win from as many outings this term.
Marcus Joseph, fresh off a hat-trick against the Couva Sharks, broke the deadlock for Connection against Sando (4 points) on 56 minutes with his 13th goal of the season in all competitions before Kadeem Corbin, ten minutes later, celebrated his second league goal for the Savonetta Boys to complete the scoring.
Central (4 points), meanwhile, unable to rebound from the Saturday’s Couva Clasico defeat, conceded their second consecutive defeat and are now three straight games without a win under caretaker coach Walt Noreiga who has assumed the role in absence of head coach Stern John who has been in England over the past weeks.
Francois, who scored the winner in a 2-1 win over Police FC last Saturday, fired Jabloteh in front in the 9th minute after pouncing on a defensive error to beat a hapless Central goalie, Marvin Phillip. The diminutive forward then lashed home his second six minutes later to cushion the San Juan Kings 2-0 after a solo run from the right and into the area to hit the far bottom corner of Phillip’s goal.
Winger Sean Bonval then rocked the Couva Sharks’ crossbar in the 27th minute with a wonderful curling attempt from the top of the box.
Duane Muckette had Central’s best opening of the first half in the 37th minute with goalkeeper Shemel Louison – who was replaced at the restart by Christopher Biggette – at his mercy, but in a strange twist the attacker played a pass to midfield partner Keron Cummings on the left of the area and allowing the Jabloteh to avert danger.
Muckette threatened again in the 50th minute with a header off a cross from striker Jamal Gay.
But three minutes later Dellon Jagessar celebrated his first Jabloteh goal to put the San Juan Kings in a comfortable 3-0 lead and the match out of Central’s reach with a diving header from inside the six yard area after Couva Sharks failed to clear on a corner swung in from the right.
Former Central star Jason Marcano who recently returned to Jabloteh, linking up with his younger brother and captain Elton John, was denied by Phillip who put the midfielder’s powerful attempt from the right overbar in the 63rd minute.
Sando, in the second game at the Couva venue, avoided the same score-line but not their first league defeat of the campaign.
Marcus Joseph towered in the Sando six yard area to head past goalkeeper Kelvin Henry off a right side Triston Hodge cross 11 minutes into the second period, before Corbin, in the 66th minute, controlled an Isaiah Garcia cross superbly off his chest at the back post to volley powerfully for Connection’s second goal.
Joseph, who headed a cross from substitute Daniel Diaz towards goal, was denied a second by the upright in the 79th minute, and a minute from time substitute Kennedy Hinkson lifted a low cross from Diaz overbar at the goalmouth as Sando escaped a third once more.
Fixtures in the Trinidad and Tobago top flight, however, didn’t escape Tuesday’s earthquake that rocked the twin-island republic for almost two minutes just after the stroke of 5:31pm, causing damage to personal property and businesses, even causing power outages as was the case at the Hasely Crawford Stadium which was scheduled to host a “battle of the armed forces” Defence Force FC vs Police FC from 7pm.
As a result, Defence Force and Police will now meet in the second game of a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Wednesday 22 August from 8pm following a clash between Morvant Caledonia United and North East Stars from 6pm.
Also on Wednesday 22 Aug., table propping-St. Ann’s Rangers will host Point Fortin Civic from 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 4
Central FC 0 vs San Juan Jabloteh 3 (Jomoul Francois 9’, 16’, Dellon Jagessar 53’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 2 (Marcus Joseph 56’, Kadeem Corbin 66’) vs Club Sando 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 8.Akim Armstrong, 9.Jamal Gay, 10.Keron Cummings, 12.Taryk Sampson, 13.Rhondel Gibson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel (26.Dominic Douglas 61st minute), 19.Jared London, 22.Jameel Neptune, 24.Duane Muckette (Capt.), 27.Anthony Charles (7.Hakim Baird 54th minute).
Unused substitutes: 5.Dwight Pope, 17.Obadele Dickson, 18.Densill Theobald.
Caretaker coach: Walt Noriega
San Juan Jabloteh: 30.Shemel Louison (GK) (1.Christopher Biggette (GK) 46th minute); 3.Travis Joseph, 4.Nical Stephens, 8.Jason Marcano, 10.Jomoul Francois (27.Jamal Creighton 54th minute), 15.Dellon Jagessar, 16.Jamal Spencer, 17.Sean Bonval, 18.Jevon Morris, 19.Joel Lewis (11.Kishon Havkshaw 79th minute), 20.Elton John (Capt.),
Unused substitutes: 2.Nicholai Orr, 7.Elijah Manners, 12.Keron Bethelmy, 13.Kristoff John.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Referee: Rashby Mc Phie
Game 2
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard, 7.Jomal Williams (27.Kierron Mason 64th minute), 9.Kadeem Corbin (20.Daniel Diaz 76th minute), 11.Adan Noel (23.Kennedy Hinkson 81st minute), 19.Briel Thomas, 26.Isaiah Garcia, 99.Marcus Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 8.Jameel Antoine, 13.Caleb Sturge, 15.Otev Lawrence.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 5.Trevin Latapy, 6.Kemuel Rivers, 7.Akeem Humphrey, 8.Kevon Piper (10.Keron Cornwall 66th minute), 9.Shackiel Henry, 12.Michael Basdeo, 13.Shakiyl Phillip, 17.Tyrone Charles (19.Quinn Rodney 68th minute), 23.Nicholas Thomas, 27.Jayson Joseph (Capt.) (25.Aaquil Campbell 67th minute).
Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkley (GK); 14.Kadeem Gittens, 18.Aaron Kennedy. 21.Derron John.
Coach: Angus Eve
Referee: Cecile Hinds
Upcoming Games
(Wednesday 22 August)
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Point Fortin Civic, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United vs North East Stars, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs Police FC, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
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Rangers rebounds from humiliation to edge Civic for first League win
T&T Pro League Media
Rondell Austin celebrated his first top-flight goal, a match-winning strike on Wednesday as Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers recorded their first 2018 Pro League win, goal and points of coach Dave ‘Hog Head’ Quamina’s era after three attempts with a narrow 1-0 result over visiting Point Fortin Civic at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Austin’s powerful right-footer at the back post broke an untidy deadlock in the 69th minute, and saw Rangers bounce back from last week's 10-0 loss against Defence Force FC, beating Civic first choice goalkeeper Miles Goodman after 19-year-old substitute Miquel Williams’ left side cross was allowed across the six yard area.
Austin, who operates on the right wing, was later replaced injured but stood hero of a rookie Rangers side that this week secured the services of veteran poacher and all-time Pro League second top scorer Kerry Baptiste. Defence Force forward Devorn Jorsling leads the all-time top scorers’ list.
Baptiste, who won titles with San Juan Jabloteh, Joe Public, North East Stars and Central FC, represented the Couva Sharks as recent as last Saturday in a 6-1 loss against W Connection before making the switch Rangers, a side loaded with players 23 and under.
Baptiste, 36, who had a header foiled by Goodman 11 minutes from time, provided an excellent opening for Austin after 15 minutes but the winger flopped the opportunity.
Austin, however, redeemed himself midway through the second half to lift Rangers (3 points) four spots off the bottom into sixth on the ladder – one spot ahead of Civic (2 points) who are without a win after four games with their last two ending in loses.
Civic forward Nion Lammy wasted a chance which had goal written all over it in the 34th minute before he was replaced at the restart by Akinola Gregory in a double change by coach Reynold Carrington who introduced veteran midfielder Hughtun Hector in place of Shaquille Dublin.
Gregory added life to the Civic attack but after twice troubling the side netting and forcing 17-year-old goalkeeper Josiah Perez into a 54th-minute save, it wasn’t enough to avoid the Point Fortin club a fifth straight winless match in all competitions.
Wednesday’s double-header carded at the Hasely Crawford Stadium – Morvant Caledonia v North East Stars and Defence Force v Police FC – was postponed due to safety concerns in the wake of Tuesday’s earthquake.
Pro League action resumes on Friday with San Juan Jabloteh against Club Sando and Defence Force taking on leaders W Connection from 6pm and 8pm respectively in a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018
Round 1 Match Day 4 results
(Wednesday 22 August)
St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Rondell Austin 69’) vs Point Fortin Civic 0, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
(Tuesday 21 August)
Central FC 0 vs San Juan Jabloteh 3 (Jomoul Francois 9’, 16’, Dellon Jagessar 53’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 2 (Marcus Joseph 56’, Kadeem Corbin 66’) vs Club Sando 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Upcoming Round 1 Match Day 5 fixtures
(Friday 24 August)
San Juan Jabloteh vs Club Sando, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs W Connection, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
(Saturday 25 August)
Point Fortin Civic vs Police FC, 6pm at Mahaica Oval;
North East Stars vs St. Ann’s Rangers, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
(Sunday 26 August)
Central FC vs Morvant Caledonia United, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
Round One Match Day Four
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 4 4 0 0 15 1 14 12
2 San Juan Jabloteh 4 3 1 0 6 1 5 10
3 Defence Force FC 3 2 1 0 15 4 11 7
4 Club Sando 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7
5 Central FC 4 1 1 2 4 10 -6 4
6 St. Ann’s Rangers 3 1 0 2 1 13 -12 3
7 Point Fortin Civic 4 0 2 2 2 4 -2 2
8 Morvant Caledonia Utd 2 0 1 1 5 6 -1 1
9 North East Stars 3 0 1 2 1 4 -3 1
10 Police FC 3 0 0 3 2 8 -6 0
Teams at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Wednesday
St. Ann’s Rangers: 50.Josiah Perez (GK); 4.Lukeman Brooks, 54.Fedric Commissiong, 55.Alexis Blackwell (59.Shaquille John 68th minute), 56.Taje Commissiong, 58.Cedric Commissiong, 60.Tyrese Williams (57.Miquel Williams 58th minute), 66.Kerry Baptiste (Capt.), 77.Shaquille Thomas, 78.Xae-Pierre Defou, 79.Rondell Austin (74.Deyshawn Edwards 78th minute).
Unused substitutes: 22.Jabari St. Hillaire (GK); 53.Chadley David, 65.Jalineo O’Rosco, 72.Anthony Kallicharan.
Coach: Dave ‘Hog Head’ Quamina
Point Fortin Civic: 22.Miles Goodman (GK); 10.Jabari Mitchell (Capt.), 11.Akeem Redhead, 12.Rondell Phillip, 14.Shaquille John, 21.Ronell Paul, 25.Shaquille Dublin (7.Hughtun Hector 46th minute), 27.Darnell Hospedales, 30.Nion Lammy (24.Akinola Gregory 46th minute), 33.Justin Sadoo, 99.Steven Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 1.Jasse Aguilerra (GK).
Coach: Reynold Carrington
Match Officials
Referee: Marlon Peruse
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Gill
Assistant Referee 2: Kurt Charles
Fourth Official: Kwinsi Williams
Match Commissioner: Marcia Williams
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Jomoul Francois keeps Jabloteh on heels of Marcus Joseph inspired Connection as Pro League intensifies
T&T Pro League Media
W Connection (15 points) rebounded from an early deficit to defeat third-positioned Defence Force FC (7 points) 2-1 courtesy strikes from star forwards Marcus ‘Lobo’ Joseph and Kadeem Corbin once more to stay perfect at the top of the Pro League standings after five games following an electrifying double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday night.
San Juan Jabloteh, in the opening clash, edged fourth-positioned Club Sando (7 points) 1-0 through attacker Jomoul Francois’ fourth league goal of the campaign to temporarily go atop the ladder with 14 points.
Francois, afterwards, reminded of his promise to himself to give 100 percent effort every time he takes to the field in memory of his late mother, Keisha Francois, who passed away last February.
“I’ve made a commitment to honour my mother with my performances,” explained the 22-year-old winger who has now scored in three consecutive games for the Keith Jeffrey coached-San Juan Kings. “Every game I’m putting in 100 percent, and when I put in that kind of work good things are happening.”
“It was a really good goal – I felt really proud of myself,” he said of his latest goal – a superb right-footed strike from the top of the box in the 43rd minute which he curled beyond a sea of orange Sando shirts and goalkeeper Stefan Berkeley to earn Jabloteh a fourth straight.
Corbin, in the 55th minute of the second game, scored an identical strike for his third league goal of the season when he beat Defence Force goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke and put Connection (15 points) in front 2-1.
Clarke denied Corbin a second ten minutes later but injured the Connection forward in the process and forcing a change from coach Stuart Charles Fevrier, who opted to add some steel in midfield in the form of Kierron Mason.
Defence Force also suffered a blow when former Connection star attacking midfielder Hashim Arcia had to be replaced by Shaquille Bertrand through injury with 18 minutes left following a challenge by Kevon Goddard.
The Marvin Gordon coached-Defence Force had taken a 1-0 lead after 14 minutes through a Brent Sam header at goalkeeper Julani Archibald’s near post from a right side corner.
But Joseph, this season’s leading frontman, levelled Connection in stoppage-time of the first half with a header off an Isaiah Garcia cross after a Jomal Williams effort cannoned off the bar.
Joseph, who troubled Clarke and the netting midway through the first half, has now scored in six consecutive outings in all competitions for Connection to put his overall tally at 14 goals, seven of them in the league.
Jomal Williams was denied a second time by the frame, smashing a free kick onto the crossbar with two minutes left, moments after he was quelled by Clarke, who also made stops to deny Kurt Frederick and Briel Thomas.
Pro League play continues today (Saturday) with North East Stars hosting St. Ann’s Rangers from 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium and Point Fortin Civic welcoming Police FC from 6pm at Mahaica Oval.
The weekend’s action will also see Central FC and Morvant Caledonia United lock horns from 4pm on Sunday at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Round 1 Match Day 5 results
(Friday 24 August)
San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jomoul Francois 43’) vs Club Sando 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC 1 (Brent Sam 14’) vs W Connection 2 (Marcus Joseph 45’+1, Kadeem Corbin 55’), at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Upcoming Fixtures
Round 1 Match Day 5
(Saturday 25 August)
Point Fortin Civic vs Police FC, 6pm at Mahaica Oval;
North East Stars vs St. Ann’s Rangers, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
(Sunday 26 August)
Central FC vs Morvant Caledonia United, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Round 1 Match Day 6
(Tuesday 28 August)
Club Sando vs North East Stars, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh vs Defence Force FC, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Police FC, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
(Wednesday 29 August)
Central FC vs Point Fortin Civic, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United vs W Connection, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Outstanding fixtures
(Saturday 01 September)
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Morvant Caledonia United, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs Police FC, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday
Game 1
San Juan Jabloteh: 1. Christopher Biggette (GK); 3. Travis Joseph, 4. Nical Stephens, 8. Jason Marcano (11. Kishon Hackshaw 83rd minute), 10. Jomoul Francois (7. Elijah Manners 82nd minute), 15. Dellon Jagessar (27. Jamal Creighton 85th minute), 16. Jamal Spencer, 17. Sean Bonval, 18. Jevon Morris, 19. Joel Lewis, 20. Elton John (Capt.)
Unused substitutes: 30. Shemel Louison (GK); 2. Nicholai Orr, 12. Keron Bethelmy, 13. Kristoff John
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Club Sando: 1. Stefan Berkley (GK); 5. Trevin Latapy, 6. Kemuel Rivers, 7. Akeem Humphrey, 8. Kevon Piper, 10. Keron Cornwall, 12. Michael Basdeo, 17. Tyrone Charles (25. Aaquil Campbell 73rd minute), 19. Quinn Rodney (9. Shackiel Henry 46th minute), 23. Nicholas Thomas, 27. Jayson Joseph (Capt.) (44. Josiah Trimmingham 73rd minute)
Unused substitutes: 34. Kelvin Henry (GK); 14. Kadeem Gittens, 18. Aaron Kennedy. 21. Derron John
Coach: Angus Eve
Match Officials
Referee: Kwinsi Williams
Assistant Referee 1: Joseph Bertrand
Assistant Referee 2: Caleb Wales
Fourth Official: Annaz Mohammed
Referees’ Assessor: Michael Ragoonath
Match Commissioner: Boris Punch
Game 2
Defence Force FC: 25. Sheldon Clarke (GK); 5. Jerome Mc Intyre, 6. Rodell Elcock, 8. Brent Sam, 9. Devorn Jorsling, 10. Hashim Arcia (15. Shaquille Bertrand 72nd minute), 12. Jemel Sebro (13. Marvin Jones 64th minute), 20. Levi Serries (32. Jameel Cooper 58th minute), 21. Aklie Edwards, 45. Dylon King, 99. Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.)
Unused substitutes: 1. Andre Marchan (GK); 4. Dave Long, 18. Reon Moore, 19. Thurlani George
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
W Connection: 18. Julani Archibald (GK), 2. Kurt Frederick, 3. Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5. Triston Hodge, 6. Kevon Goddard, 7. Jomal Williams, 9. Kadeem Corbin (27. Kierron Mason 68th minute), 11. Adan Noel (20. Daniel Diaz 80th minute), 19. Briel Thomas, 26. Isaiah Garcia, 99. Marcus Joseph
Unused substitutes: 33. Jason Belfon (GK); 8. Jameel Antoine, 13. Caleb Sturge, 15. Otev Lawrence, 23. Kennedy Hinkson
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Match Officials
Referee: Marlon Peruse
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard
Assistant Referee 2: Anton Gill
Fourth Official: Dave Daniel
Referees’ Assessor: Julien Drayton
Match Commissioner: Wayne Caesar
Pro League 2018 standings
Round One Match Day Four
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 5 5 0 0 17 2 15 15
2 San Juan Jabloteh 5 4 1 0 7 1 6 13
3 Defence Force FC 4 2 1 1 16 6 10 7
4 Club Sando 5 2 1 2 4 5 -1 7
5 Central FC 4 1 1 2 4 10 -6 4
6 St. Ann’s Rangers 3 1 0 2 1 13 -12 3
7 Point Fortin Civic 4 0 2 2 2 4 -2 2
8 Morvant Caledonia Utd 2 0 1 1 5 6 -1 1
9 North East Stars 3 0 1 2 1 4 -3 1
10 Police FC 3 0 0 3 2 8 -6 0
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Gabriel snaps Central’s losing streak; Baptiste lifts Rangers to second win and Police off the mark.
ttproleague.com.
Kaydion Drogba Gabriel relished the opportunity of an attacking role on Sunday when he reminded the Central FC - The Sharks coaching staff of his offensive prowess by netting a first half brace as the Couva Sharks rebounded from an early deficit to defeat Morvant Caledonia United 3-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Central looked on course for a fourth consecutive Pro League loss after Renaldo Francois fired Morvant Caledonia United in front 1-0 after just four minutes with his second Pro League goal of the 2018 season.
Gabriel however responded with a double before the break for the 2018 First Citizens Cup champions, coincidentally against Morvant Caledonia (the same team he last scored against all the way back in October of 2017 in a 3-2 league win), before Duane Muckette completed Sunday’s rout with a superbly executed free kick in the second half.
On Saturday, former Central forward Kerry Baptiste notched his first goal of the season and first in a Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers shirt to lift his new employers to a second consecutive win with a 1-0 result over his ex-club, North East Stars. The evergreen forward also ended his personal scoring drought that, like Gabriel, stretched back to October 2017 when he too scored in a 3-2 league win over Morvant Caledonia but for eventual champions North East Stars.
The 36-year-old Baptiste missed a penalty early in the first half against North East Stars but redeemed himself with a close up finish under the sun at the Larry Gomes Stadium three minutes from time as the league holders continue to struggle with just one point from four games.
Police FC, later on Saturday, celebrated their first league win of the campaign, snapping a four-game losing streak in all competitions with a 3-1 win over hosts Point Fortin Civic at Mahaica Oval.
Kareem Freitas (9th & 68th) struck a double, separated by a Nathaniel Garcia (31st) strike for Civic and the break, for Police before promising winger Christian Thomas (82nd) sealed the Lawmen’s victory with his first career league goal.
The win lifted Police (3 points) off the bottom and now ahead of, in descending order, Civic (2 points), Morvant Caledonia (1 point) and North East Stars (1 point).
Central, thanks to Gabriel’s performance, joined Defence Force FC and Club Sando on seven points, one ahead of Rangers, while W Connection (15 points) and San Juan Jabloteh (13 points) lead the pack.
Gabriel first levelled the Couva Sharks 1-1 in the 23rd minute when he raced in at the back post to smash a low Akim Armstrong cross past Morvant Caledonia goalkeeper Terrence Lewis.
Gabriel, who started his professional career as a forward but used at right full-back over the past few seasons, once again rewarded caretaker coach Walt Noreiga for utilising him in the role of right winger by unleashing a shot past Lewis five minutes from the half to put Central in front 2-1 after he was picked out by defender Rhondel Gibson.
Muckette, who was instrumental in Central’s opening goal, put the match out of the Eastern Stallions’ reach by the 73rd minute from a 25-yard set piece.
Central returns to action on Wednesday against Civic in the first game of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium before Morvant Caledonia and Connection clash from 8pm.
League action however resumes on Tuesday with Rangers hosting Police from 4pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium from 4pm. Also on Tuesday, the Ato Boldon Stadium will host a double-header with Sando taking on North East Stars from 6pm and Jabloteh and Defence Force clashing from 8pm.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 5
Central FC 3 (Kaydion Gabriel 23’, 40’, Duane Muckette 73’) vs Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Renaldo Francois 4’), at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Point Fortin Civic 1 (Nathaniel Garcia 31’) vs Police FC 3 (Kareem Freitas 9’, 68’, Christian Thomas 82’), at Mahaica Oval;
North East Stars 0 vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Kerry Baptiste 87’), at Larry Gomes Stadium
Teams
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 7.Hakim Baird (5.Dwight Pope 70th minute), 8.Akim Armstrong, 12.Taryk Sampson, 13.Rhondel Gibson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel (9.Jamal Gay 83rd minute), 19.Jared London, 22.Jameel Neptune, 24.Duane Muckette (Capt.), 29.Russell Alfred (18.Densill Theobald 60th minute).
Unused substitutes: 17.Obadele Dickson, 27.Anthony Charles.
Caretaker coach: Walt Noriega
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 3.Richard Williams, 4.Maurice Ford, 5.Joshua Sylvester (6.Keion Goodridge 46th minute), 8.Andrew Murray (10.Sheldon Holder 60th minute), 9.Sedale Mc Lean, 12.Kareem Joseph (Capt.), 15.Malik Mieres, 17.Kerry Daniel, 19.Renaldo Francois (14.Melvin Doxilly 78th minute), 22.Joshua Alexander
Unused substitutes: 30.Dejourn Charles (GK); 25.Joshua Martin, 28.Jomokie Cassimy.
Coach: Jerry Moe
Referee: Marlon Peruse
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Sando escape N/E Stars in 9-goal shocker; Jorsling, King fire D/Force past Jabloteh while Police shoot Rangers off cloud nine.
ttproleague.com.
Club Sando, after two consecutive losses, narrowly escaped bottom-placed North East Stars 5-4 for their third Pro League win of the season in the first game of a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium on Tuesday.
Sando (10 points) however, by the end of the night’s action, remain fourth and level on points with third-placed Defence Force FC after the Tetron Boys snapped second-positioned San Juan Jabloteh’s (13 points) unbeaten league form with a 2-0 result in the second game of the Couva double-header.
Devorn Jorsling (33) and Dylon King (41) both notched their second league goal of the season to cushion Defence Force in the first half before some brilliant goalkeeping from Sheldon Clarke following the break preserved the score-line for the win.
Elsewhere, Police FC (6 points) hurdled Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers for sixth spot, only by goal-difference, by defeating the Dave Quamina-coached outfit 3-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
Kareem Freitas (45) and Kurdell Brathwaite (53) both scored from the penalty spot separated by the break before Jameel Perry (73) completed the win for coach Richard Hood’s Lawmen against Rangers, a side fresh off back-to-back wins against Point Fortin Civic and league holders North East Stars.
Sando, under the guidance of assistant coach and former Trinidad and Tobago star forward Cornell Glen, once led North East four-nil Tuesday through a goal each from Kemuel Rivers, Shackiel Henry, Tyrone Charles and Keron Cornwall, and looked set for their biggest win-margin of the season.
But the second half, despite another item from Quinn Rodney, proved a nightmare at the back for the Oranges, conceding their heaviest of the season albeit avoiding defeat.
Even worse, Sando were against a side that scored just one goal from four league outings prior to kick off and had suffered eight defeats from nine games in all competitions this season with one ending in a draw.
Rivers launched Sando in front on 33 minutes with a 30-yard free kick beyond the reach of ‘keeper Sample before Henry cushioned the Oranges 2-0 seven minutes from the break after controlling a Cornwall cross off his chest in the area.
Charles later arrived off the bench to make it 3-0 ten minutes into the second half after combining with Cornwall inside the right of the North East area as Sando looked in full control.
Cornwall added to his gloss with a goal to his name in the 69th minute when he slapped home Sando’s fourth item to put the score at 4-0.
Jabari Brathwaite pulled a goal back for North East after pouncing on a spill by goalkeeper Stefan Berkeley in the 71st minute. But the defender would allow substitute Rodney space in the six yard area three minutes later to restore Sando’s four-goal cushion, 5-1.
Brathwaite’s goal however provided belief for North East, and coach Zoran Vranes’ men grew in confidence by every remaining minute. But despite further goals from substitutes Allister Bernard (77) and Sherwyn Williams (82), and Kyle Bartholomew (90) and exciting a few faithful supporters, victory remains as elusive as the unicorn for the holders this season.
The result however would, without a doubt, send a warning to upcoming opponents as well as serve shocker for Sando head coach Angus Eve who is currently in Tobago for a pre-season camp with Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) powerhouse, Naparima College, which he also coaches.
Wednesday (29 Aug.), league leaders W Connection (15 points) will look to open the gap at the top when they visit eight-placed Morvant Caledonia United at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 8pm. The contest will follow a 6pm kick off between Central FC and Point Fortin Civic at the Port-of-Spain venue.
Morvant Caledonia will return to play on Saturday in one of two outstanding fixtures at the Ato Boldon Stadium. The Eastern Stallions will tackle Rangers from 4pm before Defence Force and Police lock horns in a battle of the armed forces from 6pm.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 6
St. Ann’s Rangers 0 vs Police FC 3 (Kareem Freitas 45’ pen., Kurdell Brathwaite 53’ pen., Jameel Perry 73’), at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Club Sando 5 (Kemuel Rivers 33’, Shackiel Henry 38’, Tyrone Charles 55’, Keron Cornwall 69’, Quinn Rodney 74’) vs North East Stars 4 (Jabari Brathwaite 71’, Allister Bernard 77’, Sherwyn Williams 82’, Kyle Bartholomew 90’+1), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh 0 vs Defence Force FC 2 (Devorn Jorsling 30’, Dylon King 41’), at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
Club Sando: 1.Stefan Berkley (GK); 5.Trevin Latapy, 6.Kemuel Rivers, 8.Kevon Piper, 9.Shackiel Henry (19.Quinn Rodney 71st minute), 10.Keron Cornwall (25.Aaquil Campbell 76th minute), 12.Michael Basdeo, 14.Kadeem Gittens (17.Tyrone Charles 46th minute), 23.Nicholas Thomas, 27.Jayson Joseph (Capt.), 44.Josiah Trimmingham.
Unused substitutes: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 13.Shakiyl Phillip, 18.Aaron Kennedy, 21.Derron John.
Assistant Coach: Cornell Glen
North East Stars: 21.Javon Sample (GK); 2.Jabari Brathwaite, 3.Raheim Jawahir, 4.Sean Bateau (Capt.), 5.Sowande Preito (23.Sherwyn Williams 57th minute), 8.Saleem Henry, 11.Kyle Bartholomew, 18.Josiah Daniel (7.Hayden Tinto 71st minute), 19.Kerdell Sween, 20.Dareem Daniel (22.Allister Bernard 46th minute), 24.Rakim Cabie.
Unused substitutes: 1.Glenroy Samuel (GK); 13.Jankeon Alexander, 15.Lashawn Roberts, 33.Terrell Roberts.
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Game 2
San Juan Jabloteh: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK); 3.Travis Joseph, 4.Nical Stephens, 8.Jason Marcano (7.Elijah Manners 68th minute), 10.Jomoul Francois, 15.Dellon Jagessar, 16.Jamal Spencer, 17.Sean Bonval (11.Kishon Hackshaw 79th minute), 18.Jevon Morris, 19.Joel Lewis (9.Jaydon Prowell 75th minute), 20.Elton John (Capt.).
Unused substitutes: 30.Shemel Louison (GK); 2.Nicholai Orr, 12.Keron Bethelmy, 27.Jamal Creighton.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Defence Force FC: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK); 4.Dave Long (20.Levi Serries 74th minute), 6.Rodell Elcock, 8.Brent Sam, 9.Devorn Jorsling, 10.Hashim Arcia, 12.Jemel Sebro, 17.Curtis Gonzales, 21.Aklie Edwards, 45.Dylon King (70.Adrian Welch 87th minute), 99.Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.) (18.Reon Moore 80th minute).
Unused substitutes: 1.Andre Marchan (GK); 13.Marvin Jones, 15.Shaquille Bertrand, 19.Thurlani George.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Referee: Nicholas Murray
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WATCH: Highlights of Central FC’s 3-1 win over MorVant Caledonia United and T&T Super League Highlights of Prisons FC 1-0 win over Bethel United
https://www.youtube.com/v/4T0xXtOMS-0
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WATCH: Highlights of Police FC’s 3-0 win over St. Ann’s Rangers
https://www.youtube.com/v/LDYllw00ksc
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Jamaica’s Ewan Grandison shines in Central romp against Civic before Morv’t Caledonia end Connection’s perfect form
ttproleague.com.
Jamaica international Ewan Grandison grabbed his first Trinidad and Tobago Pro League goal and assist on Wednesday for new club Central FC in a comprehensive 4-0 win over Point Fortin Civic in the first game of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium in the capital city, Port of Spain.
The win, only Central’s third from six league outings this season, lifted the three-time former champions up a spot into fourth but tied on 10 points with Defence Force FC (third) and Club Sando (fifth) before eighth-placed Morvant Caledonia United (2 points) ended the perfect run of leaders W Connection (16 points) with a goalless draw in the second game.
Grandison, 27, who joined Central during the August transfer window, cushioned the Couva Sharks 2-0 three minutes into the second half with a powerful 30-yard free kick from the left after Civic goalkeeper Miles Goodman had let in a fourth-minute grounder from Russell Alfred who recently switched from Club Sando.
Jared London made it 3-0 with his first goal of the season arriving in the 68th minute when he completed a sweeping move by the Couva Sharks with a solid finish past Goodman off a squared Jameel Neptune feed.
Grandison, an ox-built former Portmore United captain, later provided the assist from a corner for substitute Dwight Pope to celebrate his first ever Central goal with a header on 90 minutes to complete the comfortable victory after Goodman had put behind an attempt from T&T national team call-up Duane Muckette.
Central goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, who will also be part the T&T squad to contest the United Arab Emirates in a friendly international on September 6 in Spain, made three saves on the night including the matching of a powerful strike from the right by Civic’s Akeem Redhead three minutes before the break.
In the second game, Connection and St. Kitts and Nevis shot-stopper Julani Archibald had to be at his best -- making back-to-back saves -- in the first minute of play, first denying Renaldo Francois then Sheldon Holder on the rebound.
Archibald was forced into fine save ten minutes into the second half to put behind a Kerry Daniel free kick as Morvant Caledonia, recently equipped with two former Connection stars, 22-year-olds Aikim Andrews and Jesus Perez, continued to prove the bogey side of the Savonetta Boys.
Connection, who, before kick-off were on five league wins from as many outings, tried to punish Morvant Caledonia on a quick counterattack from the resulting corner but Kadeem Corbin’s lob attempt was picked out of the air by his former teammate, goalkeeper Terrence Lewis, who also thwarted an Adan Noel effort.
The best chance of the game fell to Marcus Joseph six minutes from time, but the Connection star and leading scorer drilled wide of goal after a measured Corbin cross put him against Lewis.
Connection have not defeated Morvant Caledonia since January 2017 and were knocked out of the 2018 First Citizens Cup by the Eastern Stallions at the group stage last July.
Morvant Caledonia, yet to post a league win after four games, will face Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers on Saturday in one of two outstanding fixtures at the Ato Boldon Stadium before the league breaks for the September 3 – 11 international fixture window.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 6
Central FC 4 (Russelll Alfred 4’, Ewan Grandison 48’, Jared London 68’, Dwight Pope 90’) vs Point Fortin Civic 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United 0 vs W Connection 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 8.Akim Armstrong (17.Obadele Dickson 73rd minute), 13.Rhondel Gibson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 19.Jared London, 22.Jameel Neptune, 23.Andell Brown (7.Hakim Baird 42nd minute), 24.Duane Muckette (Capt.). 27.Anthony Charles, 29.Russell Alfred (5.Dwight Pope 64th minute).
Unused substitutes: 18.Densill Theobald.
Caretaker coach: Walt Noriega
Point Fortin Civic: 22.Miles Goodman (GK); 7.Hughtun Hector (Capt.), 11.Akeem Redhead (19.Nathaniel Garcia 61st minute), 12.Rondell Phillip (8.Jamal John 52nd minute), 14.Shaquille John, 20.Bevon Bass, 21.Ronell Paul, 24.Akinola Gregory, 30.Nion Lammy (25.Shaquille Dublin 36th minute), 33.Justin Sadoo, 99.Steven Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 40.Andre Boodoo (GK); 27.Darnell Hospedales,
Coach: Reynold Carrington
Referee: Rashby Mc Phie
Game 2
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 3.Richard Williams, 4.Maurice Ford, 6.Keion Goodridge, 9.Sedale Mc Lean (29.Aikim Andrews 12th minute), 10.Sheldon Holder (8.Andrew Murray 73rd minute), 12.Kareem Joseph (Capt.), 14.Melvin Doxilly (7.Jesus Perez 71st minute), 17.Kerry Daniel, 19.Renaldo Francois, 22.Joshua Alexander.
Unused substitutes: 30.Dejourn Charles (GK); 5.Joshua Sylvester, 26.Jair Edwards, 28.Jomokie Cassimy.
Coach: Jerry Moe
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard (8.Jameel Antoine 53rd minute), 7.Jomal Williams, 9.Kadeem Corbin, 11.Adan Noel (23.Kennedy Hinkson 81st minute), 19.Briel Thomas (27.Kierron Mason 15th minute), 26.Isaiah Garcia, 99.Marcus Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 13.Caleb Sturge, 15.Otev Lawrence, 34.Cephas St. Rose.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Referee: CJ O’Brien
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Boatswain marks D/Force return with goal in losing effort against Police after Morv’t Caledonia swat aside Rangers ahead of international break.
ttproleague.com.
Trinidad and Tobago international forward Jamille “Balo” Boatswain marked his return to the Defence Force Football Club with a late goal off the bench on Saturday, but it came in a losing effort as the Tetron Boys were edged 3-2 by rivals Police FC in one of two rescheduled Pro League clashes at the Ato Boldon Stadium before the FIFA international fixtures break, Sep. 3-11.
Kareem “Scooby” Freitas scored his 10th and 11th goals of the season in all competitions to cushion the Lawmen after veteran Defence Force forward Devorn Jorsling had cancelled Shakuile Williams’ second minute opener with a free kick early in the second half.
Jorsling, though, failed to level the game at the death after Boatswain, 24, who first joined Tetron Boys in January 2017 from Point Fortin Civic before moving to Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense, put the Marvin Gordon coached-Defence Force within striking distance of a point.
Earlier, Keion Goodridge, Joshua Alexander and debuting 20-year-old Grenada international forward Saydrel Lewis all scored their first Morvant Caledonia United goals to lift the Eastern Stallions to their first Pro League win of the season with a 3-0 win over Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers.
The Jerry Moe-coached Morvant Caledonia (5 points), with a game in hand against bottom-placed North East Stars, however continue to occupy eighth spot, one down from Rangers (6 points) while Police (9 points) are sixth, one point less than, in descending order, Defence Force, Central FC and Club Sando. Last season’s runners-up W Connection (16 points) and San Juan Jabloteh (13 points) lead the pack ahead of the break.
Goodridge, 27, a multiple-time league winner with ex club Central FC, headed his latest employers Morvant Caledonia in front 1-0 after 18 minutes when he steered a Renaldo Francois corner past Rangers goalie Jabari St. Hillaire.
Rangers’ defender Fedric Commissiong cleared off the line dramatically four minutes later to keep out an effort from Sheldon Holder after Hillaire’s glove to ball had slowed the Guyana international forward’s attempt.
Hillaire kept out another try from Holder before digging out an attempt from distance by veteran midfielder Kerry Daniel in the 38th minute, then stuck out a leg five minutes from the break to deny Francois, a truly gifted 19-year-old Morvant Caledonia starlet, who had two near misses in the first half.
Hillaire’s second half continued the way the first ended, and was forced into action seconds into the restart by Daniel.
Alexander then put his name on the scoresheet for the first time in his professional career with a goal he’d never forget after smashing the ball past the towering frame of Hillaire from distance six minutes into the second half to make it 2-0.
Lewis, six minutes after replacing Andrew Murray who failed to convert a one-on-one chance with Hillaire and two days after arriving in Trinidad, smashed in Morvant Caledonia’s third item to make it 3-0 after he was picked out by overlooked T&T international Aikim Andrews in the 64th minute.
Lewis, formerly of Paradise FC in his native Grenada, missed a second two minutes later when he turned an Andrews cross directly at Hillaire who gathered comfortably.
In the second contest, Shakuile Williams made the best of a rare start for the Richard Hood coached-Police, and it took the diminutive forward one minute and 34 seconds to fire the Lawmen in front, 1-0 with his first top-flight goal.
Williams controlled sharply in the box before quickly jabbing the ball past Defence Force goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke. Williams found the back of the net again on 36 minutes but that time his celebrations ended prematurely with the flag already raised for offside.
Hardworking Christian Thomas, who had won the ball from right-back Jemel Sebro to provide the opening assist, tested Clarke from above the area on the half-hour mark, but the Defence Force ‘keeper was equal to the task as he did again two minutes from the break after Thomas’s nutmeg on defender Aklie Edwards to create a look on goal.
Jorsling however levelled the Tetron Boys 1-1 three minutes into the second half – Police goalkeeper Adrian Foncette spilling the striker’s free kick into his own net – after Brent Sam was brought down at the edge of the box.
But Freitas, who has now scored in three consecutive outings for Police, headed the Lawmen back in front 2-1 by the 53rd minute after towering in the Defence Force six-yard area to put a Christon Thomas cross past Clarke.
Clarke executed a top-drawer save in the 63rd minute to deny Freitas another by putting over the striker’s powerful curling strike from inside the right of the area.
Clarke’s miserable night at the office also saw him keep out an effort from his own teammate, Rodell Elcock, in the 69th minute after the defender inadvertently fired towards his own goal in an attempt to cut off a Freitas cross intended for Williams.
Freitas later completed his third double of the season in all competitions with his sixth league goal by way of the penalty spot when he wrong sided Clarke to cushion the Lawmen 3-1 in the 71st minute after referee Gordon Maloney pointed to the spot for a handball in Defence Force in the area.
Defence Force came within striking distance of a draw after substitutes Reon Moore and Boatswain, whose latest stint was in South America with CD Honduras Progreso, combined three minutes from time for the latter to score at close range, beating Foncette, who, near the hour mark, almost suffered on another disastrous moment at his own fault but was helped by defender Brendon Creed who cleared at the goal line.
However, with Police leading narrowly 3-2, Jorsling struck overbar at the goalmouth on another Moore feed into the area in the 90th minute as the Lawmen held on for a third straight win.
Pro League action is scheduled to return from Sep. 14 with Morvant Caledonia and Defence Force against Jabloteh and Sando, respectively, in a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Results - Rescheduled Round 1 Match Day 3
St. Ann’s Rangers 0 vs Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Keion Goodridge 18’, Joshua Alexander 51’, Saydrel Lewis 64’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Results - Rescheduled Round 1 Match Day 4
Defence Force FC 2 (Devorn Jorsling 48’, Jamille Boatswain 87’) vs Police FC 3 (Shakuile Williams 2’, Kareem Freitas 53’, 71’ pen.), at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
St. Ann’s Rangers: 22.Jabari St. Hillaire (GK); 4.Lukeman Brooks, 54.Fedric Commissiong, 58.Cedric Commissiong, 59.Shaquille John (57.Miquel Williams 46th minute), 64.Dominic Douglas (60.Tyrese Williams 87th minute), 66.Kerry Baptiste (Capt.), 72.Anthony Kallicharan, 77.Shaquille Thomas, 78.Xae-Pierre Defou, 79.Rondell Austin (74.Deyshawn Edwards 80th minute).
Unused substitutes: 50.Josiah Perez (GK); 53.Chadley David, 55.Alexis Blackwell, 56.Taje Commissiong.
Coach: Dave ‘Hog Head’ Quamina
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 6.Keion Goodridge, 8.Andrew Murray (27.Saydrel Lewis 58th minute), 10.Sheldon Holder (11.Quincy Ballah 73rd minute), 12.Kareem Joseph (Capt.), 14.Melvin Doxilly (7.Jesus Perez 68th minute), 17.Kerry Daniel, 19.Renaldo Francois, 22.Joshua Alexander, 28.Jomokie Cassimy, 29.Aikim Andrews.
Unused substitutes: 30.Dejourn Charles (GK); 3.Richard Williams, 5.Joshua Sylvester, 24.Osei Charles.
Coach: Jerry Moe
Referee: Nikolai Nyron
Game 2
Defence Force FC: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK); 4.Dave Long, 6.Rodell Elcock, 8.Brent Sam (18.Reon Moore 67th minute)., 9.Devorn Jorsling, 10.Hashim Arcia, 12.Jemel Sebro (15.Shaquille Bertrand 77th minute), 17.Curtis Gonzales, 21.Aklie Edwards, 45.Dylon King, 99.Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.) (90.Jamile Boatswain 67th minute).
Unused substitutes: 1.Andre Marchan (GK); 5.Jerome Mc Intyre, 19.Thurlani George, 20.Levi Serries.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK) (Capt.); 3.Ryan O’Neil, 4.Kadeem Boyce (13.Dillon Kirton 87th minute), 5.Kenaz Williams, 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 10.Kareem Freitas (9.Jameel Perry 78th minute), 15.Christian Thomas, 16.Brendon Creed, 19.Christon Thomas, 23.Shakuile Williams (7.Kareem Perry 90th minute), 29.Clevon Mc Fee.
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK); 11.Micah Lewis, 17.Dexter Alleyne, 33.Kemrom Purcell.
Coach: Richard Hood
Referee: Gordon Maloney
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WATCH: Highlights of Police FC’s 3-2 win over Defence Force
https://www.youtube.com/v/Yv8cvpMXfh8
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Jeffrey eyes Concacaf qualifying spot and wants Jabloteh players to dream as the coach
T&T Pro League Media
Kevon Villaroel and Akeem Benjamin are back with San Juan Jabloteh as part of technical director/head coach Keith Jeffrey’s bid to secure a Concacaf qualifying spot in the current Pro League campaign.
The defensive duo are expected to be part of Jeffrey’s squad to face crosstown rivals Morvant Caledonia United on Friday from 6pm when the Pro League resumes with a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium following the international break. Defence Force FC will host Club Sando in the second game from 8pm.
Left-back Villaroel, 30, played for Jabloteh between 2007 and 2008 and re-joins the San Juan Kings from Queens Park Cricket Club FC after title success at Puerto Rico Islanders, Central FC and North East Stars, while former W Connection and Central centre-back Benjamin, 29, has renewed his commitment to Jeffrey’s side.
Jeffrey said after assessing his team’s bottom-place finish in the group stage of the 2018 season First Citizens Cup, it was clear his side lacked a leader and welcomed back brothers @Elton John, who will be a key cog (not only as captain but as stability in a defensive midfield role) and veteran attacker Jason Marcano during the August transfer window.
He said John, Marcano, Villaroel and Benjamin all have extensive experience as multiple-time former Pro League winners as well as experience on the Concacaf and Caribbean Club Championship stage.
Having tasted competition at the inaugural Concacaf League (for Central American and Caribbean teams) in 2017, Jeffrey says he is dreaming of returning to the international stage and wants his players to share his ambition.
To do so, Jeffrey’s side must achieve a top-two finish in the Pro League which qualifies Trinidad and Tobago clubs for the Caribbean Club Championship, the qualifier tournament for the Concacaf Champions League and Concacaf League.
North East Stars and W Connection, the most successful club on the Caribbean stage, will represent T&T at next year’s Caribbean Club Championship having finished Pro League champions and runners-up respectively last season.
Jabloteh are currently positioned second on the 2018 Pro League standings with 13 points, three adrift of leaders W Connection with 12 games left and Defence Force, Central and Club Sando in close chase on 10 points.
“We are happy to be challenging [the league] again because Jabloteh have always been one of the better teams in the Pro League,” said Jeffrey, whose San Juan Kings started with campaign unbeaten in five before losing 2-0 against Defence Force on 28 Aug.
“The goal is to finish in the top two; I want us to go back to Concacaf.”
Jeffrey guided Jabloteh to a top-two finish in the 2015-16 season, finishing four points adrift of champions Central to join the Couva Sharks at the 2017 Caribbean Club Championship.
Jabloteh, under Jeffrey’s guidance, went on to reach the Caribbean final but were edged 1-0 by Cibao FC of Dominican Republic at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain following a wasteful performance against a side coached by legendary former FC Barcelona academy coach Albert Benaiges.
Cibao secured the Caribbean’s automatic berth at the 2018 Concacaf Champions League as champions, while Jabloteh, Portmore United of Jamaica and Central, the competition’s runners-up, and third and fourth-placed clubs respectively, represented the region at the inaugural Concacaf League in 2017.
“I dream of returning to the Concacaf stage,” continued Jeffrey. “And I want my players to dream as the coach. It is an honour playing at Concacaf level; and it’s also an honour coaching at that level.
“It want our young players experience a whole new level of the game. The experience of traveling abroad for home and away games. The way the international clubs are managed. The professionalism of players on the international level and different playing styles. These are some of the ways our players can improve.”
In his bid for a top-two finish in the domestic Pro League this season, the Jabloteh coach also promoted former North East Stars youth player Kishon Hackshaw, Jodel Brown and Nickel Orr to the first team from the Jabloteh Under-18s while adding their Trinidad and Tobago national Under-20 teammate and captain Jaydon Prowell and former University of Trinidad and Tobago striker Jamal Creighton, all in the transfer window.
The recent additions, including Joel Lewis and Travis Joseph from Police FC, will add to the talent pool that includes Jomoul Francois, Sean Bonval and Jevon Morris.
“We [are] doing business different in the sense of our style of play,” said Jeffrey. “As a coach in the league five years now, I have a very good idea how all teams play. So we adjust to the strength and weaknesses of teams.
“It will be business as normal [when the league resumes]. We will change players to suit different games and we will change formation to suit different teams because we have to understand you can’t win every game one way. We (must) be innovative. We have to bring style; a lot of things to the game that will make us attractive and make us winners.”
Pro League 2018
Round One Match Day Seven
(Friday 14 September)
Morvant Caledonia United vs San Juan Jabloteh, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs Club Sando, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
(Saturday 15 September)
Point Fortin Civic vs W Connection, 6pm at Mahaica Oval;
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs Central FC, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Police FC vs North East Stars, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 6 5 1 0 17 2 15 16
2 San Juan Jabloteh 6 4 1 1 7 3 4 13
3 Defence Force FC 6 3 1 2 20 9 11 10
4 Central FC 6 3 1 2 11 11 0 10
5 Club Sando 6 3 1 2 9 9 0 10
6 Police FC 6 3 0 3 11 11 0 9
7 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 6 2 0 4 2 19 -17 6
8 Morvant Caledonia Utd 5 1 2 2 9 9 0 5
9 Point Fortin Civic 6 0 2 4 3 11 -8 2
10 North East Stars 5 0 1 4 5 10 -5 1
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Jabari Mitchell among latest Club Sando transfer window coup
T&T Pro League Media
Club Sando head coach Angus Eve has sent a stark warning to opponents with former Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 captain and Point Fortin Civic midfielder Jabari Mitchell among his latest reinforcements.
Mitchell, 21, and 19-year-old 1976 Phoenix FC’s Jabarry Francis, who were both acquired before the August 31 transfer deadline, are expected to beef up Sando’s engine room after the recent acquisition of 24-year-old ex-Civic and W Connection striker Shackiel Henry.
T&T winger Tyrone Charles also made a late return to Sando from Central FC.
“We didn’t just add [players] for adding sake,” said Eve, who believes he is equipped with his best squad since taking over from Anthony Streete in 2016.
The Sando coach added that the new signings represent the club’s commitment to its philosophy in player development and competitiveness.
“We have continuously improved in the last two seasons, finishing fifth, then fourth – the last within a point of a third-place finish; and this season we would like to show further improvement,” Eve explained.
“We don’t have the budget or the resources of the some of the teams in the league, but we always seem to be among the top five.
“We have also seen Jared London, Akeem Humphrey and Josiah Trimmimgham make the [T&T] national team. Trimmingham played most of his young career elsewhere [San Juan Jabloteh] but we’ve added the bit of seasoning needed to be a national player,”
Shackiel, the younger brother of Sando shot-stopper Kelvin Henry, has already scored two goals in less than a handful of appearances for his new club and Eve believes the former-Vietnam-based forward can improve under the guidance of assistant coach and 2006 World Cup forward Cornell Glen.
Mitchell, meanwhile, had reportedly secured his first overseas contract, a one-year agreement, with Albania top-flight team KS Kastrioti in June, but the ex-W Connection starlet was back home to reunite with Civic for the 2018 Pro League season before his latest decision to join Sando.
“Jabari felt his career was going off the boil,” Eve said of Mitchell, the 2014 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Player of the Year who he had coached at Naparima College.
“Jabari had a lot of promise when I had him at Naparima but since then he has really fallen back. He wanted the opportunity to play under me again and I wanted the opportunity to work with him again; here we are.
“We were also short in goal-scoring out of the midfield and Jabari can shoot the ball, he is good on set pieces, and he is someone who can service the balls on set pieces especially with [defender] Josiah Trimmingham back from injury.
“Jabari has creativity, and he is a little more direct than guys like [Michael] Basdeo and [Keron] Cornwall. He is a goal-scorer in midfield. He is a player I’ve always admired.”
Eve still joggles his time as Naparima College coach. And it was during last month’s trip to Tobago for part of the former SSFL champions’ pre-season camp, Francis, a defensive midfielder, impressed the Sando coach during a couple friendly matches “Naps” played against Super League side Phoenix.
Eve said while Francis is not the finished product, he believes the Tobagonian can provide the type of backup needed for team captain and defensive midfielder Jayson Joseph.
“Jayson has played every game, every minute, and with the games coming quickly one after the other, Francis will provide backup for him.”
Eve is also hoping the national selectors will pay close attention to the former Signal Hill Secondary Comprehensive player, Francis, as a future prospect.
“I was really impressed when I saw Francis play [in Tobago] and hopefully the national team coaches take a close look,” added Eve, a former T&T standout and most capped player. “It is one of the reasons we have brought him to Trinidad.
“Francis is quick, strong for his age, and has a good eye for a pass. He is also aggressive in tackles and works up and down the pitch as a typical number 8. He can also play multiple positions, even at wingback. It’s just that he has to get to the speed of the [Pro] League.”
Sando, though enjoying their best league starts since joining the top flight in 2015, are fifth on the PL standings following a rollercoaster start to the truncated 2018 campaign with a W-D-W-L-L-W record.
Sando are tied on 10 points with, in ascending order, Central FC and Defence Force FC, while W Connection (16 points) and San Juan Jabloteh (13 points) lead the pack with 12 games left.
Defence Force will host Sando after Morvant Caledonia United and crosstown rivals San Juan Jabloteh lock horns when the Pro League resumes with a double-header on Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium following the international break.
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Morvant Caledonia to unleash marquee signing “Ball Pest” against rivals Jabloteh
T&T Pro League Media
Trinidad and Tobago attacking midfielder Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings is expected to suit up for new employers Morvant Caledonia United against crosstown rivals San Juan Jabloteh from 6pm on Friday when the Pro League resumes with a mouth-watering double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Star-studded Defence Force FC will host Club Sando, a side boasting the likes of newcomer Jabari Mitchell and returning winger Tyrone Charles, from 8pm in the second game at the Mucurapo Road venue.
Keron Cummings, 30, made the switch from three-time former league Central FC, becoming part of a handful of marquee signings by Morvant Caledonia after 22-year-olds winger Aikim Andrews, defensive midfielder Jesus Perez and centre-back Maurice Ford, and 20-year-old Grenada national team forward Saydrel Lewis -- all during the August transfer window.
Morvant Caledonia, coached by technical director Jamaal Shabazz and head coach Jerry Moe, are in crucial need of points after five league outings, positioned eighth on the 10-team PL 2018 standings with just five points and a game in hand against cellar-placed North East Stars.
Shabazz pointed out that while aim of Morvant Caledonia is to grow competitively this season, the ultimate goal is to become the team of 2019 and to return to Concacaf and Caribbean glory in 2020.
“We are in it for the long haul …for instance, we signed Keron Cummings for two years,” said Shabazz, who guided Morvant Caledonia, then Caledonia AIA, to the Caribbean crown in 2012 and on the Concacaf Champions League stage in 2012 and 2013.
“I was never one afraid to take the small steps towards the bigger goal of getting us into Concacaf in 2020,” continued the former T&T Men’s and Women’s coach and Guyana national team coach. “We are seeing a team -- with time and proper planning -- that could emerge as a force again.”
Shabazz, who also welcomed the addition of experienced ex-Central defender Keion Goodridge during the transfer window, says he is confident that his club’s latest signings, together with the talent across the team such as 19-year-old forward Renaldo Francois, Guyana international attacker Sheldon Holder and veteran playmaker Kerry Daniel, will improve performances.
“We always wanted to be competitive [this season], although we started cautious,” the Morvant Caledonia boss said. “But the injection of capital through the Government’s subvention opened the opportunity for us to invest in about four marquee players who can make a huge impact on the field and also assist in bringing along the younger players.
“In doing so, we are overly focused on building the infrastructure of the team and a more holistic approach in the players’ development in areas nutrition and so on.
“We want to try to win on and off the field by creating a team that could motivate the communities of Morvant, Laventille, East Port of Spain, Caledonia and environs.”
Shabazz, while admitting there will be an adjustment period for the new players “because they came from backgrounds that are pretty set in their ways”, praised the immediate influence of Cummings.
“Keron Cummings certainly has made his presence in training felt,” added the Morvant Caledonia technical director. “He has forced his way into the starting 11. Most importantly he has been a good person to his fellow players, being very encouraging on the pitch. We are not seeing a cocky brat. We are seeing a humble talented young man who is sharing his experience with his teammates.”
Shabazz revealed that he wants defender Ford, a former youth level player at Morvant Caledonia, to show a bit more commitment to take over the captain’s armband from evergreen full-back Kareem “Tiny” Joseph. “He (Ford) has matured a lot but he needs to show more ambition and focus regarding his football career.”
Friday’s opponents, Jabloteh, meanwhile, are a side equipped with recent signings Kevon Villaroel, Akeem “Battery” Benjamin, Elton John, Jason Marcano and Kishon Hackshaw. The San Juan Kings will provide a huge test for Morvant Caledonia as Keith Jeffrey’s men are hoping to return to winning ways after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Defence Force on Aug. 28 which snapped an unbeaten run of five games.
On Saturday, Point Fortin Civic will host leaders W Connection from 6pm at the Mahaica Oval while the Ato Boldon Stadium will host a double-header with Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers against Central from 4pm and Police FC against North East Stars from 6pm.
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Jorsling gives D/Force edge over Sando; Sheldon Holder levels Morv’t Caledonia late against Jabloteh on Pro League resumption.
ttproleague.com.
Devorn Jorsling handed Defence Force FC a winning restart to the 2018 Pro League campaign following the international break when he scored from a free kick to edge Club Sando 1-0 in the second game of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday.
The narrow victory pulled the Marvin Gordon coached-Defence Force (13 points) within a point of second-placed San Juan Jabloteh (14 points), who were earlier held to a late 1-1 draw against Morvant Caledonia United, allowing leaders W Connection (16 points) a chance to widen the gap at the top when they travel to Mahaica Oval from 6pm today (Saturday) against Point Fortin Civic.
Jomoul Francois scored his fourth league goal and fifth in all competitions to put Jabloteh ahead 1-0 after just five minutes before a power outage interrupted play at the Mucurapo Road venue.
Jabloteh had done enough to starve a star-studded Morvant Caledonia side equipped with marquee signing Keron Cummings until the 81st minute, after referee Rashby Mc Phie awarded a penalty when substitute Saydrel Lewis went to ground in the box during a challenge with Jevon Morris.
Sheldon Holder was denied by Christopher Biggette, who was brilliant between the sticks throughout the night, from the spot, but the Guyana international forward converted on the second bite from the rebound to level Morvant Caledonia 1-1 with his second league goal of the season.
Morvant Caledonia, with 6 points and a game in hand, hurdled Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers for seventh spot by goal difference and are now three games undefeated.
Jorsling later lifted Defence Force in front after 18 minutes with the eventual winner from a trademark left-footed free kick that beat the gloves of goalkeeper Kelvin Henry in Sando goal to find the roof of the net.
The 34-year-old Jorsling, the Pro League’s all-time top scorer, once again proving why his skill and experience remains a huge asset to the Tetron Boys.
Gordon handed starting roles to Jelani Felix, Shaquille Bertrand Justin Garcia, Aaron Lester and Kendell Hitlal, but it was veteran talisman Jorsling’s fourth league goal and sixth in all competitions this season that separated Defence Force from Sando in a highly charged contest.
Jorsling, who was later replaced by Jamille Boatswain with twelve minutes left, headed another chance overbar off a cross from defender Rodell Elcock just before the half-hour mark.
Dylon King, ten years Jorsling’s junior, also directed an Elcock cross away from the target three minutes from the break, and six minutes into the second half Hashim Arcia saw his shot from distance cannon off Henry’s upright.
Henry denied King on the hour mark, tipping the midfielder’s free kick overbar, but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat for Sando, which featured recent signings Jabari Mitchell in the starting line-up and Jabarry Francis off the bench.
Today (Saturday), the Ato Boldon Stadium will come alive with a double-header Rangers against fourth-positioned Central FC from 4pm before Police FC and North East Stars clash from 6pm.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 7
Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Sheldon Holder 81’) vs San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jomoul Francois 5’), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Defence Force FC 1 (Devorn Jorsling 16’) vs Club Sando 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 4.Maurice Ford, 6.Keion Goodridge, 7.Jesus Perez, 10.Sheldon Holder (11.Quincy Ballah 82nd minute), 12.Kareem Joseph (Capt.) (13.Saydrel Lewis 47th minute), 14.Melvin Doxilly (5.Joshua Sylvester 70th minute), 17.Kerry Daniel, 20.Keron Cummings, 22.Joshua Alexander, 29.Aikim Andrews.
Unused substitutes: 3.Richard Williams, 15.Malik Mieres, 26.Jair Edwards, 28.Jomokie Cassimy.
Coach: Jerry Moe
San Juan Jabloteh: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK); 3.Travis Joseph, 4.Nical Stephens, 8.Jason Marcano, 10.Jomoul Francois (7.Elijah Manners 81st minute), 15.Dellon Jagessar (5.Kevon Villaroel 79th minute), 16.Jamal Spencer, 17.Sean Bonval (14.Tyrese Bailey 58th minute), 18.Jevon Morris, 19.Joel Lewis, 20.Elton John (Capt.).
Unused substitutes: 30.Shemel Louison (GK); 11.Kishon Hackshaw, 26.Akeem Benjamin, 27.Jamal Creighton.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Referee: Rashby Mc Phie
Game 2
Defence Force FC: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK); 6.Rodell Elcock, 7.Jelani Felix, 9.Devorn Jorsling (Capt.) (90.Jamile Boatswain 78th minute), 10.Hashim Arcia, 15.Shaquille Bertrand (8.Brent Sam 66th minute), 17.Curtis Gonzales, 26.Justin Garcia, 27.Aaron Lester, 45.Dylon King, 77.Kendell Hitlal (18.Reon Moore 62nd minute).
Unused substitutes: 4.Dave Long, 5.Jerome Mc Intyre, 23.Kerry Joseph, 80.Aaron Enil.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 5.Trevin Latapy, 7.Akeem Humphrey, 8.Kevon Piper (15.Jabarry Francis 72nd minute), 10.Keron Cornwall, 11.Jabari Mitchell (25.Aaquil Campbell 72nd minute), 13.Shakiyl Phillip (9.Shackiel Henry 65th minute), 17.Tyrone Charles, 23.Nicholas Thomas, 27.Jayson Joseph (Capt.), 44.Josiah Trimmingham.
Unused substitutes: 33.Enrique Changiah (GK); 18.Aaron Kennedy, 19.Quinn Rodney, 21.Derron John.
Coach: Cornell Glen
Referee: Crystal Sobers
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Rangers, NE Stars whipped after taking early lead against Central, Police respectively, while Connection widen lead with win at Civic.
ttproleague.com.
Russel Alfred grabbed the spotlight with his first top-flight hat-trick on Saturday as Central FC romped to an impressive 7-1 comeback win over Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers in the first game of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Central, though, remained fourth on the 2018 league standings, tied on 13 points with third-positioned Defence Force FC—the side coach Stern John’s Couva Sharks defeated in the First Citizens Cup 2018 final last July via the penalty spot and the side they must face at the Couva venue on Tuesday from 8pm after W Connection and San Juan Jabloteh meet each other in a top-of-the-table tie from 6pm.
Elsewhere on Saturday, leaders W Connection (19 points) widened the gap at the top, five points clear of second-positioned San Juan Jabloteh (14 points), after defeating hosts Point Fortin Civic 3-1 at Mahaica Oval.
Leading Golden Boot contender Marcus Joseph (9 league goals and 16 in all competitions) netted twice (41 & 64) for the Savonetta Boys, separated by the half and a second half strike from teammate Jomal Williams (61), before Akeem Redhead (94) pulled back a consolation item for the winless hosts deep in stoppage time.
Earlier in Couva, Kerry Baptiste stunned his former employers, Central, after just seven minutes when he put a Keyon “Bobo” Edwards’ cross past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip for his 153rd career league goal in the Pro League. Baptiste is only second to Defence Force veteran talisman Devorn Jorsling (162) on the all-time Pro League scorers’ list.
But Central unleashed fury in the second half with forward Alfred ending with a hat-trick to his name, Jameel “Shooter” Neptune netting an uninterrupted brace, and Akim Armstrong the go-ahead goal after Duane Muckette levelled the Couva Sharks from the penalty spot.
Rangers, boasting the likes of former Central players Anthony Charles and Baptiste signed during the August transfer window, and 34-year-old veteran attacking midfielder Edwards, who has come out of retirement to complete a full circle in returning to the club after stints at Morvant Caledonia United, San Juan Jabloteh and Club Sando, held their narrow 1-0 lead into the break.
Muckette, however, turned the game on its head when he converted from the spot with a crisp strike past Rangers goalie Jabari St. Hillaire in the 58th minute to put the scores at 1-1 after referee Keilon Bacchus pointed to the spot. Bacchus was left with little choice after both Neptune and Armstrong were upended in the box in attempts to capitalise on a rebound following a shot from distance from Alfred which cannoned off the bar.
Rangers, coached by Dave “Hog Head” Quamina, said goodbye to their lead and their resilience too.
Armstrong then put Central in front 2-1 three minutes later (61) when he swooped into the six-yard area to burry a spill by St. Hillare, who had failed to foil a low cross from the right by Muckette.
Alfred, who ironically celebrated his first top-flight goal in a 2-0 First Citizens Cup group stage win for Club Sando against Rangers last June, made it 3-1 by the 63rd minute for his new employers after combining with Armstrong at the top of the box before beating a hapless St. Hillaire.
Alfred completed his hat-trick and the 7-1 victory with a quick-fire double in the 82nd and 83rd minutes to put his league tally at 4 goals since joining Central last month. The powerfully built forward first turned substitute Rhondel Gibson’s cross past St. Hillaire then sent a screamer from distance to bulge the onion bag once more, all after Neptune had celebrated his first on the night with a 67th-minute grounder from distance to find the far bottom corner of the Rangers’ net and completed his double on 78 minutes from inside the area.
The fashionable Central win included 2006 World Cup midfielder Densill Theobald back into the starting line-up after months through injury and the return of former T&T Youth World Cup captain Leston Paul, who switched to North East Stars last season before moving to El Salvador for a stint with Pasaquina.
In the second game of the Couva double-header, North East Stars also messed with a hornet’s nest when Allister Bernard fired the Zoran Vranes-coached side in front against Police FC after 28 seconds – the fastest goal of the season – with a right-footer past goalkeeper Adrian Foncette.
Police hit back with a brilliant double and an assist from star striker Kareem Freitas to defeat the league holders 3-1 to move up a spot into fifth with 12 points while North East Stars remains anchored at the bottom without a win after six outings.
Freitas levelled Police from distance in the 15th minute then got to his double after 27 minutes off a short Christon Thomas feed to put the Lawmen in front by beating goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel again to put his league tally at 8 goals this term, one shy of leading frontman Marcus Joseph.
Freitas later turned provider in the 66th minute with a delightful chip in the penalty area to find substitute Kareem Perry who controlled off his chest before hitting past Samuel to put the match out of North East Stars’ reach.
Police will next host Morvant Caledonia on Tuesday after Rangers meet Club Sando in a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium, while North East Stars, minus defender Lashawn Roberts who was red carded in stoppage time after bring down Police substitute Micah Lewis outside the area, will visit Point Fortin Civic at Mahaica Oval.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 7
St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Kerry Baptiste 7’) vs Central FC 7 (Duane Muckette 58’ pen., Akim Armstrong 61’, Russel Alfred 63’, 82’, 83’, Jameel Neptune 67’, 78’) at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Police FC 3 (Kareem Freitas 15’, 27’, Kareem Perry 66’) vs North East Stars 1 (Allister Bernard 1’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic 1 (Akeem Redhead 90’+4) vs W Connection 3 (Marcus Joseph 41’, 64’, Jomal Williams 61’), at Mahaica Oval.
Teams
Game 1
St. Ann’s Rangers: 22.Jabari St. Hillaire (GK); 54.Fedric Commissiong, 56.Taje Commissiong, 58.Cedric Commissiong, 61.Dejon Waldropt (78.Xae-Pierre Defou 69th minute), 64.Dominic Douglas, 66.Kerry Baptiste (Capt.), 67.Anthony Charles, 69.Keyon Edwards, 74.Deyshawn Edwards (65.Jalino O’Rosco 45th minute), 79.Rondell Austin (60.Tyrese Williams 82nd minute).
Unused substitutes: 4.Lukeman Brooks, 53.Chadley David, 55.Alexis Blackwell, 72.Anthony Kallicharan.
Coach: Dave ‘Hog Head’ Quamina
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 8.Akim Armstrong (13.Rhondel Gibson 76th minute), 10.Leston Paul (5.Dwight Pope 76th minute), 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.) (7.Hakim Baird 79th minute), 19.Jared London, 22.Jameel Neptune, 24.Duane Muckette, 29.Russell Alfred.
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 9.Braxton Gibbs, 17.Ronaldo Alexander, 23.Andell Brown.
Coach: Stern John
Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Game 2
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK) (Capt.); 3.Ryan O’Neil, 5.Kenaz Williams, 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 9.Jameel Perry (7.Kareem Perry 51st minute), 10.Kareem Freitas,16.Brendon Creed, 19.Christon Thomas, 21.Todd Ryan (13.Dillon Kirton 77th minute), 23.Shakuile Williams (11.Micah Lewis 58th minute), 29.Clevon Mc Fee.
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK); 4.Kadeem Boyce, 12.Nequan Caruth, 33.Kemrom Purcell.
Coach: Richard Hood
North East Stars: 1.Glenroy Samuel (GK); 2.Jabari Brathwaite, 7.Hayden Tinto, 8.Saleem Henry, 11.Kyle Bartholomew, 13.Jankeon Alexander, 14.Keithen Carter (33.Terrell Roberts 74th minute), 15.Lashawn Roberts, 18.Josiah Daniel (20.Dareem Daniel 69th minute), 23.Sherwyn Williams (39.Bret D’Abreau 86th minute), 22.Allister Bernard.
Unused substitutes: 21.Javon Sample (GK).
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Referee: Cecile Hinds
Upcoming Fixtures - Round 1 Match Day 8
(Tuesday 18 September)
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs Club Sando, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Police FC vs Morvant Caledonia United, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
W Connection vs San Juan Jabloteh, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs Central FC, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic vs North East Stars, 7pm at Mahaica Oval.
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Marcus “Lobo” Joseph nets double as Connection widen Pro League lead
T&T Pro League Media
W Connection (22 points), chasing an unprecedented sixth league title since the turn of the professional era in 1999, defeated San Juan Jabloteh 4-1 to temporarily go eight points clear at the top when both sides met Tuesday in a top-of-the-table Pro League clash at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Marcus “Lobo” Joseph, the leading Golden Boot contender, scored his 10th and 11th league goals of the season, and one each from wingers Jomal Williams and Neil Benjamin Jr. was more than enough to see off Jabloteh, the second most successful team with four league titles since the forerunner of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League, the Professional Football League was formed in 1999.
But with three-time former champions Central FC (16 points) edging the most successful T&T club of all-time, Defence Force FC, 1-0 courtesy a Duane Muckette strike in the second game of the Couva double-header, Connection’s lead – albeit remaining a satisfactory one – was later trimmed to six points while the “Couva Sharks” climbed two spots into second with the competition one match day from the midway mark.
Defeated Jabloteh (14 points) and Defence Force (13 points) slipped a spot to occupy third and fourth, respectively, while Club Sando hurdled Police FC for fifth spot after whipping Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 5-0 in the first of two games at Hasely Crawford Stadium as the bottom six places remained unchanged.
Joseph, redeemed himself after missed chances on either side of the half, first put Connection ahead on 24 minutes by taking advantage of a slip-up by Jabloteh’s Elijah Manners and Nical Stephens, before slotting in his 18th goal in all competitions this season after rounding goalkeeper Christopher Biggette following a wonderful team move involving Jomal and Corbin in the 67th minute.
Jomal, on his third attempt from distance, cushioned the “Savonetta Boys” 2-0 in the 34th minute before defender Triston Hodge later rattled the Jabloteh crossbar.
Jomoul Francois had halved the Jabloteh deficit ten minutes into the second half with his sixth league goal but Joseph later restored Connection’s lead 3-1 before Benjamin, announcing his “Savonetta Boys”’ return off the bench, completed the comfortable 4-1 win with a goal to his name in stoppage time.
Tuesday’s results also saw Morvant Caledonia snap the four-game winning streak of Police FC after holding the “Lawmen” to a 1-1 draw in the second game of the Hasely Crawford Stadium double-header.
Aikim Andrews levelled Morvant Caledonia in the 19th minute for his first goal since joining the “Eastern Stallions” in August, four minutes after Kareem Perry had fired Police in front.
Elsewhere, Point Fortin Civic celebrated their first league win of the campaign after eight attempts with a 4-1 come-from-behind win over holders North East Stars.
The table-propping North East Stars were ahead early when Adrian Noel silenced the home supporters after 16 minutes. But Civic, thanks to a double from Judah Garcia (53 & 76) and one each from his brother Nathaniel Garcia (65) and Akinola Gregory (72), earned themselves a confidence booster ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Ato Boldon Stadium against Defence Force from 6pm.
Club Sando will host Morvant Caledonia from 8pm in the second game at the Couva venue on Saturday, while North East Stars face arguably their biggest challenge against Connection when they host the undefeated “Savonetta Boys” from 4pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
The weekend excitement kicks off with a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday with Rangers against Jabloteh from 6pm and Police taking on Central from 8pm.
Pro League 2018
Round 1 Match Day 8 results
(Tuesday 18 September)
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 0 vs Club Sando 5 (Shackiel Henry 5’, Jabari Mitchell 15’, Keron Cornwall 27’, Tyrone Charles 43’, Akeem Humphrey 71’), 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Police FC 1 (Kareem Perry 14’) vs Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Aikim Andrews 19’), 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
W Connection 4 (Marcus Joseph 24’, 67’, Jomal Williams 34’, Neil Benjamin Jr. 90’+2) vs San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jomoul Francois 55’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC 0 vs Central FC 1 (Duane Muckette 45’+2), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic 4 (Judah Garcia 53’, 76’, Nathaniel Garcia 65’, Akinola Gregory 72’) vs North East Stars 1 (Adrian noel 16’), at Mahaica Oval.
Upcoming fixtures
Round One Match Day Nine
(Friday 21 September)
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs San Juan Jabloteh, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Police FC vs Central FC, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
(Saturday 22 September)
North East Stars vs W Connection, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs Point Fortin Civic, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando vs Morvant Caledonia United, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 8 7 1 0 24 4 20 22
2 Central FC 8 5 1 2 19 12 7 16
3 San Juan Jabloteh 8 4 2 2 9 8 1 14
4 Defence Force FC 8 4 1 3 21 10 11 13
5 Club Sando 8 4 1 3 14 10 4 13
6 Police FC 8 4 1 3 15 13 2 13
7 Morvant Caledonia Utd 7 1 4 2 11 11 0 7
8 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 8 2 0 6 3 31 -28 6
9 Point Fortin Civic 8 1 2 5 8 15 -7 5
10 North East Stars 7 0 1 6 7 17 -10 1
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Tuesday
Game 1
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 7.Jomal Williams, 8.Jameel Antoine (16.Alvin Jones 55th minute), 9.Kadeem Corbin, 13.Caleb Sturge, 23.Kennedy Hinkson (17.Neil Benjamin Jr. 74th minute), 26.Isaiah Garcia, 27.Kierron Mason, 99.Marcus Joseph (15.Otev Lawrence 87th minute).
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 11.Adan Noel, 20.Daniel Diaz, 32.Salas Cannonier.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
San Juan Jabloteh: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK); 3.Travis Joseph (23.Jodel Brown 73rd minute), 4.Nical Stephens (5.Kevon Villaroel 46th minute), 7.Elijah Manners (27.Jamal Creighton 46th minute), 8.Jason Marcano, 10.Jomoul Francois, 14.Tyrese Bailey, 16.Jamal Spencer, 18.Jevon Morris, 19.Joel Lewis, 20.Elton John (Capt.).
Unused substitutes: 30.Shemel Louison (GK); 9.Jaydon Prowell, 11.Kishon Hackshaw, 26.Akeem Benjamin,.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Match Officials
Referee: Marlon Peruse
Assistant Referee 1:
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official: Keilon Bacchus
Referees’ Assessor:
Match Commissioner:
Game 2
Defence Force FC: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK); 6.Rodell Elcock, 7.Jelani Felix, 9.Devorn Jorsling (Capt.) (8.Brent Sam 61st minute), 10.Hashim Arcia, 15.Shaquille Bertrand, 17.Curtis Gonzales, 26.Justin Garcia, 27.Aaron Lester, 45.Dylon King (23.Kerry Joseph 38th minute), 77.Kendell Hitlal (24.Shaquille Holder 72nd minute)
Unused substitutes: 4.Dave Long, 5.Jerome Mc Intyre, 16.Kellon Serrette, 80.Aaron Enil.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 8.Akim Armstrong (11.Xavier Rajpaul 90th minute), 10.Leston Paul, 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.), 19.Jared London, 22.Jameel Neptune, 24.Duane Muckette (13.Rhondel Gibson 85th minute), 29.Russell Alfred (5.Dwight Pope 82nd minute).
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 7.Hakim Baird, 23.Andell Brown, 40.Gibbs Braxton, 41.Ronaldo Alexander.
Coach: Stern John
Match Officials
Referee: Rashby Mc Phie
Assistant Referee 1: Kirt Charles
Assistant Referee 2: John Barkley
Fourth Official: Joel Cox
Referees’ Assessor:
Match Commissioner: Cassie Moore
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T&T Pro League has CONCACAF support says McIntosh
T&T Pro League Media
ONE CONCACAF and Caribbean projects senior manager, Howard McIntosh, believes the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League can become sustainable and viable throughout, but with the right governance structure of course.
The T&T Pro League, he says, is one of the better leagues in CONCACAF, being one of only four leagues (Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica the others) in the Caribbean that participates in the newly restructured Caribbean Club Championship for CONCACAF compliant clubs.
“So CONCACAF is fully supportive of Trinidad and Tobago and the Pro League that exists in Trinidad and Tobago because we want that league to do well along with other leagues to ensure that we (CONCACAF) are doing well,” McIntosh said following a three-day United European Football Associations (UEFA) ASSIST follow-up workshop for the T&T Pro League entitled: Road to Strategic Planning. The program is an initiative by UEFA aimed at providing practical assistance to other confederations and their member associations in order to develop and strengthen football across the globe,
The UEFA ASSIST workshop took place at the Faculty of Social Sciences Lounge of the University of the West Indies (UWI) campus in St. Augustine, Trinidad with McIntosh sharing his expertise along with Eva Pasquier, head of international relations at UEFA, and her colleagues Kenny MacLeod and Dariusz Marzec.
Short-term goals in the areas of governance, competitions and marketing, in keeping with best practices around the world, were recommended to the Pro League board. Once the objectives are completed, UEFA ASSIST will return to the T&T Pro League a third time to focus on long-term strategic planning.
“Trinidad and Tobago Pro League is quite fortunate in a number of different ways,” McIntosh, or as he is fondly called, Big Mac, elaborated. “Concacaf in partnership with UEFA had to select some countries that they would support, for professional league support, and during the course of this year, three countries -- Suriname, Canada and T&T -- were selected for Pro League support.
“The level of support is from a standpoint of technical support in putting in place a strategic plan and ensuring that the level operational and possibility financial support is given.
He pointed out that the T&T Pro League is very fortunate because the support of the T&T Government is unparalleled. “I think the Government must be applauded. However the (T&T) Pro League now needs to start doing something by itself or for itself, and that means working hard in all the areas to make sure it’s more professional".
“It must be one that also encompasses youth development and that means having youth teams and doing the things to ensure that you develop everything. The elite league in the country, if it is properly structured, will obviously help the national team because that is what you really want to have, great national team players, and so to the extent that you have a successful Pro League then you will have a better chance of having a more successful national team.”
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New governance structure in Pro League future
T&T Pro League Media
Some club owners of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League (TTPL) are finally warming up to the idea of a change in Board composition and the introduction of a new governance structure after 16 years in control and a never-ending struggle to become self-sustainable and viable.
“If we don’t act quickly, we are at a risk of continuing another 16 years in the same way,” cautioned Central FC owner and ex-Minister of Sport Brent Sancho, who supports the recommendations of UEFA ASSIST during a three-day follow-up workshop, Road to Strategic Planning for the Pro League, at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad which concluded Thursday.
A possible outcome, if the TTPL Board (which is made up of club owners) decides change the composition of the Board and to restructure governance, is a General Assembly made up of the clubs, a new Board of Representatives and an Executive Management Team will be formed to deal with the core responsibilities of the league and execution respectively.
The new Board of Representatives could, for example, be made of a three or four clubs’ representatives, a Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) representative, a Ministry of Sport representative and two independent representatives.
“It’s really the backbone of the functioning of the organization where you have the assembly which is composed of the (club) members and they elect their Board, who is then really managing and directing the whole organization during the time they are not meeting with the (club) members,” said Eva Pasquier, head of international relations at United Europe Football Leagues (UEFA), following a three-day follow-up UEFA ASSIST workshop.
“So this system is very much important for good governance: for taking decisions, for controlling the activities, to taking the decisions and giving the directions of the whole organization.”
Pasquier added that good governance and organized organizations is a must nowadays. “Without that you have thousands of people being responsible for everything but doing nothing. But with good governance you have straight direction, where to go, how to go, who is responsible for what; there is a control on the place so there is much less chances of doing the things wrong.
Richard Fakoory, current chairman of the TTPL and owner of St. Ann’s Rangers, and Morvant Caledonia United boss Jamaal Shabazz also voiced their support of the new governance structure throughout the three-day workshop.
Julia Baptiste, CEO of the League, said she hopes the current Board of Directors will take the opportunity to put the league on a more sustainable and viable footing.
“This is one of the best ways we can plot a way forward for the Pro League,” Baptiste said. “We are starting from the top, and from the top means there is an agreement that we should start with the composition of the Board, try to make changes there in progressing forward towards that sustainable and viable future we know football could be in T&T. We can’t start below when the top remains the same.
Pasquier and her UEFA ASSIST team of Kenny MacLeod, a former commercial director at the Scottish FA, and Dariusz Marzec, a former president of the Poland professional league, along with Howard McIntosh, ONE CONCACAF and Caribbean Projects Senior Manager, also gave recommendations to the league on competitions and marketing.
“It’s the perfect time to start thinking about next season’s league,” said MacLeod. “How to make it enticing for the fans, for the clubs, and for the country as a whole. We are very keen to look at streaming and the broadcast of these matches going forward as well. So we need to make it interesting. So we are also going to draw up a review of how the competition will be set to make it a more engaging competition.”
MacLeod, however, warned that without good governance “the rest (competition and marketing) isn’t going to work”.
He explained that the UEFA ASSIST team put together an initial set of recommendations during the April workshop “but our job over the last couple of days (Tuesday and Wednesday) was to look at those recommendations, which ones had been taken up and which ones had not. And the decision, then, was rather than focusing on long term and the next five years - as you would in a strategic plan – we needed to still keep it quite short term. There are still some impending focuses that still need to be done before we think too far ahead of ourselves.”
Anthony Creed from the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Sherlan Cabralis of the University of the West Indies, David John-Williams, president of the TTFA and its general secretary Justin Latapy-George, as well as Selby Browne, president of the Veteran Footballers Foundation of T&T where among T&T football stakeholders present on the final day.
John-Williams, who was instrumental in seeking the assistance of UEFA through Concacaf, pledged to give his full support to the Pro League in reaching its objectives based on the recommendations of UEFA.com ASSIST.
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Teenaged winger Christian Thomas stars as Police snap Central’s joy ride
T&T Pro League Media
Police FC defeated Central FC 3-0 with a vengeful performance Friday on the first meeting between the two sides since the “Couva Sharks” knocked them out via the penalty spot at the semi-final stage of the 2018 First Citizens Cup on Jul. 13 before going on to win the title against Defence Force FC.
Kemron Purcell prodded Police in front before 19-year-old winger Christian Thomas struck one and set up another scored by Kareem Perry, all scored in the first half, as coach Richard Hood’s side put the Pro League match beyond Central’s reach before the break at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Police, now undefeated in six consecutive outings, returned to winning ways after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Morvant Caledonia to climd four spots to usurp Central for second on the 2018 league standings albeit only goal-difference separating the two teams tied on 16 points.
But with Defence Force and Club Sando (both on 13 points) against Point Fortin Civic and Morvant Caledonia United, respectively, at the Ato Boldon Stadium today (Saturday) from 6pm and 8pm, a lot can change on the standings over the coming hours.
W Connection, six points ahead of the pack, will first look to extend the gap when they travel to the Larry Gomes Stadium from 4pm against cellar-placed North East Stars, the side they defeated 7-1 in the curtain-raising Charity Shield on Jun. 1 and 2-0 in the group stage of the First Citizens Cup fifteen days later.
Purcell headed Police in front after 13 minutes off a Christon Thomas corner which resulted from a save by Central goalkeeper Marvin Phillip to deny Christian Thomas.
Christian Thomas, a brilliant addition to Hood’s squad this season, then celebrated his second league goal and third in all competitions, when he put a low right side Clevon Mc Fee cross past Phillip to cushion the “Lawmen” against a side that entered the game on four consecutive wins.
The lanky teenaged winger later provided a telling pass into the box and Kareem Perry made good use by hammering the ball past a hapless Phillip to complete the 3-0 score in stoppage time of the first half.
Central were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half but Duane Muckette’s effort from the spot crashed off the bar and many around the venue felt justice had triumphed after referee Crystal Sobers ruled a handball against Dexter Alleyne when a powerful shot from Jamaica international Ewan Grandison struck the leg then arm of the substitute defender.
It was the second time on the night that Central were denied by the frame after Akim Armstrong’s beautiful curling effort struck the upright in the 37th minute.
On the opposite end, Phillip, who made first-half saves to deny Kenaz Williams and Kareem Freitas, twice denied the latter with two magnificent saves in the 74th and 78th minutes to avoid Central further humiliation.
Freitas had one last chance against Phillip ten minutes from time. But, with the Trinidad and Tobago national team shot-stopper at his mercy, the star Police forward failed to force even a save.
The missed chances could return to haunt Freitas who stands with three league goals less than the 11 boasted by leading Golden Boot contender, Marcus “Lobo” Joseph. The W Connection forward has already scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, with four of them against North East Stars—the side his team faces today.
Earlier on Friday, head coach Keith Jeffrey of San Juan Jabloteh (14 points) seemed eager to end his side’s three-game rot with a scheduled fixture against Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers at the Mucurapo Road venue.
The match however did not play due to an unprepared pitch despite the late efforts of Jeffrey, though being the away team coach, in preparing the nets and finding corner flags as the pitch was stripped and marked for rugby action on Sunday.
Jeffrey must now, however, switch his focus to Tuesday’s trip to the Mahaica Oval against Point Fortin Civic with a decision pending against Rangers.
Pro League 2018
Round 1 Match Day 9 result
(Friday 21 September)
Police FC 3 (Kemron Purcell 13’, Christian Thomas 25’, Kareem Perry 45’+2) vs Central FC, at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs San Juan Jabloteh
Pending league decision. Match did not play due to unprepared pitch.
Upcoming matches
Round 1 Match Day 9
(Saturday 22 September)
North East Stars vs W Connection, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs Point Fortin Civic, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando vs Morvant Caledonia United, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 8 7 1 0 24 4 20 22
2 Police FC 9 5 1 3 18 13 5 16
3 Central FC 9 5 1 3 19 15 4 16
4 San Juan Jabloteh 8 4 2 2 9 8 1 14
5 Defence Force FC 8 4 1 3 21 10 11 13
6 Club Sando 8 4 1 3 14 10 4 13
7 Morvant Caledonia Utd 7 1 4 2 11 11 0 7
8 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 8 2 0 6 3 31 -28 6
9 Point Fortin Civic 8 1 2 5 8 15 -7 5
10 North East Stars 7 0 1 6 7 17 -10 1
Teams at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK) (Capt.); 3.Ryan O’Neil, 5.Kenaz Williams, 7.Kareem Perry, 10.Kareem Freitas, 15.Christian Thomas (11.Micah Lewis 89th minute), 16.Brendon Creed (17.Dexter Alleyne 38th minute), 19.Christon Thomas (12.Nequan Caruth 46th minute), 21.Todd Ryan, 29.Clevon Mc Fee, 33.Kemrom Purcell.
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK); 4.Kadeem Boyce, 13.Dillon Kirton, 38.Makesi Lewis.
Coach: Richard Hood
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison (13.Rhondel Gibson 72nd minute), 8.Akim Armstrong, 10.Leston Paul, 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel (5.Dwight Pope 32th minute), 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.), 19.Jared London, 22.Jameel Neptune, 24.Duane Muckette, 29.Russell Alfred (11.Xavier Rajpaul 46th minute).
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 7.Hakim Baird, 9.Gibbs Braxton, 17.Renaldo Alexander.
Coach: Stern John
Match Officials
Referee: Crystal Sobers
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard
Assistant Referee 2: Caleb Wales
Fourth Official: Gordon Maloney
Referees’ Assessor:
Match Commissioner: Oswald Davis
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Tyrone Charles smashes four past Morv't Caledonia as Sando join D/Force in win row, but Connection held by N/E Stars.
ttproleague.com.
Leaders W Connection on Saturday became only the second team after Defence Force FC to drop points against bottom-placed North East Stars this season when Stuart Charles-Fevrier's men needed a late Kadeem Corbin strike to come away with a 1-1 draw.
In the David-vs-Goliath Pro League fixture under sunshine at the Larry Gomes Stadium, North East Stars, still in search of a win after 13 games in all competitions, held the visitors to a goalless first half before taking the lead seven minutes into the second period through an own goal credited to veteran Connection defender Gerard Williams.
But eleven minutes from the end Corbin rescued a point for Connection against the Zoran Vranes-coached side which they defeated 7-1 and 2-0 in the Charity Shield and in the group stage of the First Citizens Cup respectively this season.
Elsewhere at Ato Boldon Stadium, Tyrone Charles was at his brilliant best, netting a beaver-trick as Club Sando defeated Morvant Caledonia United 5-3 in a dramatic contest after Defence Force enjoyed a 3-1 winners over Point Fortin Civic.
Defence Force and Sando both climbed three spots on the ladder to take over Police FC and Central for second and third respectively but all four are on 16 points--seven away from league favourites, Connection as the competition reaches the midway mark.
Keron "Ball Pest" Cummings scored his first Morvant Caledonia goal when he wrong-sided Sando first choice goalkeeper Kelvin Henry from the penalty spot in the 15th minute after Quincy Ballah was brought down in the area. But it wasn't enough to inspire his first win at the "Eastern Stallions" after three attempts since joining from Central FC in the August transfer window.
Tyrone Charles, who switched back to Sando in the transfer window from Central, scored an uninterrupted double on either side of the break to twice give Angus Eve’s men the lead before substitute Shackeil “Smek” Henry scored a wonderful solo goal to complete the win in stoppage time.
Charles first levelled Sando 1-1 in the 18th minute before putting his side in front 2-1 on 32 minutes with a delightful chip over goalkeeper Terrence Lewis after latching onto a defence-splitting pass from Jabari Mitchell.
The gripping contest twisted again on the hour mark when Saydrel Lewis, a 20-year-old Grenada international forward, pulled Morvant Caledonia level when he knocked in a rebound after Henry had charged down an effort by substitute Sheldon Holder, who, two minutes later put the Jamaal Shabazz/Jerry Moe-managed side in front a second time with a scissors kick off a Richard Williams cross.
But just as Sando coach Angus Eve reacted with a triple change, Charles delivered the goods again for his side, lacing an equaliser into Lewis' far netting to make it 3-3 in the 67th minute then punishing Morvant Caledonia from close up after a Nicholas Thomas free kick fell to his feet in the six-yard area on 89 minutes to lift the Oranges in front again 4-3.
With his latest four goals, Charles (7 league goals) joins the Golden Boot chase behind Police forward Kareem Freitas (8.) and Connection’s Marcus Joseph (11).
Shackeil Henry, who entered the field over the hour mark, weaved through three Morvant Caledonia shirts with Charles, one of two teammates in support, before smashing his solo effort past Lewis to make it 5-3 in first of five stoppage-time minutes.
In the opening match of the Couva double-header Brent Sam, Shaquille Bertrand and Hashim Arcia grabbed a goal each for Defence Force before Bevon Bass netted a late consolation item for Civic after the Point Fortin side were denied twice by the frame.
Sam, starting up front in place of veteran scoring ace Devorn Jorsling, fired through the legs of goalkeeper Akini Adams to put the "Tetron Boys" ahead 1-0 with his tenth goal in all competitions this season after fifteen minutes off a feed from winger Kendall Hitlal.
Bertrand, for his first goal of the season, then made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute from close up off another Hitlal assist after Adams had saved a Sam free kick onto the bar.
Sam later squandered a chance at the goalmouth off a Jelani Felix cross before some fine goalkeeping by Sheldon Clarke in the second half and the posts stood in Civic's way.
Clarke denied Judah Garcia twice on the hour mark before the Akinola Gregory saw his efforts crash off the bar and the upright in the 81st and 88th minutes, respectively.
Civic, second from bottom with just one win and two draw results, had fallen further behind in the 71st minute when Arcia arrived off the bench to lash home the "Tetron Boys"' third to make it 3-0.
The visitors did however find a consolation item in stoppage time after veteran utility player Bass danced defender Rodell Elcock in the box before ripping a shot past Clarke who had denied him 22 minutes earlier.
Civic will next host San Juan Jabloteh at Mahaica Oval at the start of round two in the Pro League on Tuesday. Defence Force and Morvant Caledonia will clash in the second of two games at Hasely Crawford Stadium after Police and Sando lock horns, while a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium will see Terminix St. Ann's Rangers tackle Connection and Central against North East Stars.
Results - Round 1 Match Day 9
North East Stars 1 (Gerard Williams 52’ Own-Goal) vs W Connection 1 (Kadeem Corbin 79’), at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Defence Force FC 3 (Brent Sam 15’, Shaquille Bertrand 33’, Hashim Arcia 71’) vs Point Fortin Civic 1 (Bevon Bass 90’+2), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando 5 (Tyrone Charles 29’, 38’, 67’, 89’, Shackiel Henry 90’+1) vs Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Keron Cummings 25’, Saydrel Lewis 60’, Sheldon Holder 62’), at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
Defence Force FC: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK); 4.Dave Long, 5.Jerome Mc Intyre (21.Aklie Edwards 53rd minute), 6.Rodell Elcock, 7.Jelani Felix, 8.Brent Sam, 15.Shaquille Bertrand, 23.Kerry Joseph (Capt.) (99.Jerwyn Balthazar 68th minute), 26.Justin Garcia, 27.Aaron Lester, 77.Kendell Hitlal (10.Hashim Arcia 62nd minute).
Unused substitutes: 9.Devorn Jorsling, 39.Akil Morris, 80.Aaron Enil, 90.Jamile Boatswain.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Point Fortin Civic: 52.Akini Adams (GK); 6.Judah Garcia, 18.Mickaeel Jem Gordon (30.Nion Lammy 39th minute), 20.Bevon Bass (Capt.), 24.Akinola Gregory, 25.Shaquille Dublin (12.Rondell Phillip 64th minute), 26.Jeremiah Kesar, 29.Ronald Charles (8.Jamal John 39th minute), 33.Justin Sadoo, 55.Seon Thomas, 99.Steven Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 22.Miles Goodman (GK); 14.Shaquille John, 15.Nideon Noel.
Coach: Reynold Carrington
Referee: Nicholai Nyron
Game 2
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 5.Trevin Latapy, 7.Akeem Humphrey, 10.Keron Cornwall (8.Kevon Piper 67th minute), 11.Jabari Mitchell, 13.Shakiyl Phillip (9.Shackiel Henry 67th minute), 15.Jabarry Francis (12.Michael Basdeo 66th minute), 17.Tyrone Charles, 23.Nicholas Thomas (Capt.), 27.Jayson Joseph, 44.Josiah Trimmingham.
Unused substitutes: 33.Enrique Changiah (GK); 14.Kadeem Gittens, 18.Aaron Kennedy, 25.Aaquil Campbell.
Coach: Angus Eve
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 3.Richard Williams, 4.Maurice Force, 6.Keion Goodridge (15.Malik Mieres 46th minute), 7.Jesus Perez, 11.Quincy Ballah, 13.Saydrel Lewis (17.Kerry Daniel 81st minute), 14.Melvin Doxilly (10.Sheldon Holder 59th minute), 20.Keron Cummings (Capt.), 22.Joshua Alexander, 29.Aikim Andrews.
Unused substitutes: 31.Vino Barclett (GK); 9.Sedale Mc Lean, 19.Renaldo Francois, 21.Shem Clauzel.
Coach: Jerry Moe
Referee: Cecile Hinds
Upcoming Fixtures
(Tuesday 25 September)
Police FC vs Club Sando, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United vs Defence Force, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs W Connection, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Central FC vs North East Stars, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic vs San Juan Jabloteh, 7pm at Mahaica Oval.
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Licks like peas, tricks included, as Connection, Central rebound in style
T&T Pro League Media
Akim Armstrong and Densill Theobald, with his first goals of the season, were hat-trick heroes on Tuesday when Central FC proved a blood thirsty bunch against North East Stars by defeating the Pro League holders 6-1 in the second game of a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium.
W Connection (26 points), minus star attackers Marcus Joseph and Jomal Williams, first put heat to a cold wet night at the Couva venue with a 4-0 drubbing of Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers despite an early missed penalty by skipper Gerard Williams to later maintain a seven-point lead on the 2018 standings with eight games left and Central and Police FC (both on 19 points) in hot pursuit.
Caleb Sturge (32) scored his first goal for Connection, the club he joined in the August transfer window following a brief stint at Police, to put the Savonetta Boys ahead before a double from winger Adan Noel (36 & 80) separated by the half had Stuart Charles-Fevrier’s men well on their way to a comfortable victory following last Saturday’s shock 1-1 result against the cellar-placed North East Stars.
Alvin Jones (90), who was thrusted up front in the closing stages, completed the 4-0 rout in stoppage time after brilliantly turning his marker at the top of the box to fire past Rangers goalkeeper Jabari St. Hillaire.
St. Hillaire, though, had his moments of shine, denying Kadeem Corbin on either side of the break with his second save matching a wonderful volley attempt by the Connection winger three minutes into the second half.
But it would not match a fine save from Connection’s No.1 Julani Archibald, who, at full stretch to his left, kept out a Dominic Douglas strike that looked destined for the far netting in the 57th minute.
Connection could have hit the Rangers for six, at least, had Jones, moments before scoring, not hit overbar off a cross from substitute Isaiah Garcia before setting up Kevon Goddard who also struck high.
Central weren’t as merciful coming off last Friday’s 3-0 defeat against Police.
Armstrong, who was denied by the post early on, broke the floodgates after 19 minutes by putting away a free header off a cross from Russel Alfred, whose cracker two minutes later was saved onto the post by Stars ‘keeper Glenroy Samuel.
Theobald, 36, then rolled back the years by adding two more goals before the break. The 2006 World Cup midfielder made it 2-0 by the 24th minute when at the back post he volleyed a Kaydion Gabriel cross into the back of the net of his former club. Then with an identical strike in stoppage time of the first half he made it 3-0 when a free kick was played into the box.
Armstrong was the first to complete his hat-trick with a quick-fire double just over the hour mark to raise his tally to nine goals in all competitions this season. Like his first, Armstong’s second was a headed goal but with Samuel stranded out on 63 minutes after being stripped by Gabriel who left the goalie beaten near the corner flag before floating a cross to pick out his striker.
Armstrong tucked in his third on the night four minutes later to make it 5-0 before Dareem Daniel pulled one back for North East Stars with his first top-flight goal by way of a fine volley past Trinidad and Tobago and Central number one Marvin Phillip off a cross from Keithen Carter.
But Theobald lashed home a rebound, which came off a save from Samuel in the 72nd minute, to complete his trick and Central’s 6-1 win before being replaced at the sounds of applauds.
Central climbed three spots to now occupy second position, only ahead of Police by goal difference, while Defence Force FC (17 points) and Club Sando (16 points) slipped to fourth and sixth respectively.
Police defeated Sando 2-0 in the first of two matches at Hasely Crawford Stadium before Defence Force were held to a 0-0 draw by Morvant Caledonia United.
Elsewhere, San Juan Jabloteh (17 points) ended a three-game slide with a 2-0 win at Point Fortin Civic to hurdle Sando for fifth spot.
Jamal Creighton celebrated his first top-flight goal when he put Jabloteh ahead after just four minutes at the Mahaica Oval. But it was not until fifteen minutes from time that Sean Bonval, on his second bite after a penalty save from goalkeeper Akini Adams, ensured the visitors left with maximum points with his third league goal.
The bottom four of, in descending order, Morvant Caledonia United, Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, Point Fortin Civic and North East Stars remained unchanged.
League action continues on Friday with North East Stars taking on Morvant Caledonia and Jabloteh against Central in a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
On Saturday, Police and Defence Force will meet in a battle-of-the-armed forces at the Ato Boldon Stadium before Sando and W Connection lock horns in the second game of the Couva venue, while Civic must host Rangers at Mahaica Oval.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day One results
(Tuesday 25 September)
Police FC 2 (Christian Thomas 7’, Josiah Trimmingham 12’ Own Goal) vs Club Sando 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United 0 vs Defence Force 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 0 vs W Connection 4 (Caleb Sturge 32, Adan Noel 36’, 81’, Alvin Jones 90’+2), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Central FC 6 (Akim Armstrong 19’, 63’, 67’, Densill Theobald 24’, 45’+1, 72’) vs North East Stars 1 (Dareem Daniel 68’) at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic 0 vs San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Jamal Creighton 4’, Sean Bonval 75’), at Mahaica Oval.
Upcoming fixtures
Round Two Match Day Two
(Friday 28 September)
North East Stars vs Morvant Caledonia United, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh vs Central FC, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
(Saturday 29 September)
Police FC vs Defence Force FC, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando vs W Connection, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 6pm at Mahaica Oval.
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Tuesday
Game 1
St. Ann’s Rangers: 22.Jabari St. Hillaire (GK); 4.Lukeman Brooks, 53.Chadley David (54.Fedric Commissiong 40th minute), 60.Tyrese Williams (79.Rondell Austin 75th minute), 64.Dominic Douglas, 65.Jalino O’Rosco, 66.Kerry Baptiste (Capt.), 67.Anthony Charles (55.Alexis Blackwell 87th minute), 69.Keyon Edwards, 77.Shaquille Thomas, 78.Xae-Pierre Defou.
Unused substitutes: 56.Taje Commissiong, 58.Cedric Commissiong, 61.Dejon Waldropt, 72.Anthony Kallicharan.
Coach: Dave ‘Hog Head’ Quamina
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard, 9.Kadeem Corbin, 11.Adan Noel, 13.Caleb Sturge, 16.Alvin Jones, 17.Neil Benjamin Jr. (27.Kierron Mason 77th minute), 19.Briel Thomas, 23.Kennedy Hinkson (26.Isaiah Garcia 77th minute).
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 8.Jameel Antoine, 15.Otev Lawrence, 32.Salas Cannonier, 34.Cephas St. Rose.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Match Officials
Referee: Joel Cox
Assistant Referee 1: Kirt Charles
Assistant Referee 2: Noel Moore
Fourth Official: Dave Daniel
Referees’ Assessor: Cindy Mohammed
Match Commissioner:
Game 2
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 7.Hakim Baird, 8.Akim Armstrong (11.Xavier Rajpaul 69th minute), 10.Leston Paul (13.Rhondel Gibson 66th minute), 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.) (23.Andell Brown 75th minute), 19.Jared London, 24.Duane Muckette, 29.Russel Alfred.
(32th minute), (46th minute).
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 5.Dwight Pope, 9.Gibbs Braxton, 17.Renaldo Alexander, 22.Jameel Neptune.
Coach: Stern John
North East Stars: 1.Glenroy Samuel (GK) (21.Javon Sample 75th minute); 2.Jabari Brathwaite, 7.Hayden Tinto (22.Allister Bernard 57th minute), 8.Saleem Henry, 11.Kyle Bartholomew, 14.Keithen Carter, 15.Lashawn Roberts, 20.Dareem Daniel, 23.Sherwyn Williams, 27.Ross Dowden, 29.Stephen Punnette (33.Terrell Roberts 28th minute).
Unused substitutes: 6.Adrian Noel, 13.Jankeon Alexander, 18.Josiah Daniel, 24.Rakim Cabie.
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Match Officials
Referee: Crystal Sobers
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard
Assistant Referee 2: Keron Mayers
Fourth Official: Dennis Changiah
Referees’ Assessor:
Match Commissioner:
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WATCH: Central FC 6-1 North East Stars; St. Ann’s Rangers 0-4 W Connection
https://www.youtube.com/v/8y0SH0iuxLw
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WATCH: Police FC climb into third place with a 2-0 win over Club Sando; Morvant Caledonia United and Defence Force play to a goalless draw.
https://www.youtube.com/v/Ztkn_aPYYBw
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Armstrong on song, hat-trick put Central past Jabloteh after ex-club Morv’t Caledonia annihilate N/E Stars 8-0.
ttproleague.com.
Akim Armstrong netted his second hat-trick in 72 hours to move second-positioned Central FC within four points of Pro League leaders W Connection with a 4-2 win over San Juan Jabloteh in the second of two Round Two Match Day Two matches contested on Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain.
The result puts pressure on Couva rivals, Connection. A loss for Connection on Saturday (today) against Club Sando at the Ato Boldon Stadium could restore the Couva Sharks’ hopes of completing a league and Cup double this season after reuniting with the First Citizens Cup last July. However a loss for Angus Eve’s men will re-establish the Savonetta Boys 7-point lead, with seven games left.
Armstrong, fresh off last Tuesday’s 6-1 win over league holders North East Stars in which himself and team captain Densill Theobald each grabbed a hat-trick, scored three times before the break with his third item restoring the Couva Sharks’ lead after Jomoul Overcome Francois and Jamal Creighton had clawed Jabloteh back.
Duane Muckette later put the match out of a topsy-turvy Jabloteh side’s reach with the only goal of the second half to complete the Stern John-coached outfit’s sixth win in the last seven outings.
Armstrong, separated by three attempts from powerful wide attacker Russel Alfred, struck in the 6th and 36th minutes from close range to beat goalkeeper Christopher Biggette following mistakes at the back by Jabloteh to cushion the three-time former league champions 2-0.
Jomoul Francois later halved the Jabloteh deficit, 1-2, in the 41st minute for his seventh league goal of the campaign after sweeping home from close range on a rebound off goalkeeper Marvin Phillip who was troubled by a shot from Creighton.
Two minutes later Creighton, who scored in the San Juan Kings 2-0 win at Point Fortin Civic last Tuesday, then levelled Keith Jeffrey’s men 2-2 with a scorcher from distance to beat Trinidad and Tobago shot-stopper, Phillip.
But Armstrong, the 30-year-old former Morvant Caledonia United and Club Sando attacker, answered back with a superb volley past Biggette with a minute left in the half to restore Central’s lead 3-2 while completing his latest hat-trick and putting his league tally this term at 10 goals – one less than Connection’s Marcus Joseph to heat up the Golden Boot chase. Police striker Kareem Freitas and Jomoul Francois are behind with 8 and 7 league goals, respectively.
Armstrong left coach John baffled seven minutes into the second half when the midfielder-turned-striker opted to square a pass across the area – which failed to meet its intended target – instead of an attempt on goal with Biggette at his mercy in an attack that started from an errant pass from a Jabloteh defender.
Muckette later capped off the 4-2 win in the 71st minute when he guided a Kaydion Gabriel cross past the frozen figure of Biggette following a patient team move by the Couva Sharks involving Theobald, Leston Paul and Alfred. Muckette redeeming himself after drilling an effort inches wide ten minutes earlier off a feed from Alfred subsequent to an unstoppable run down the right by Gabriel.
Morvant Caledonia United, in the opening game of the Mucurapo Road venue double-header, registered this season’s second highest win in all competitions after Defence Force FC’s 10-0 mauling of Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers in Round One of the league on Aug. 15, by raining an 8-0 win over cellar-placed North East Stars.
Guyana international forward Sheldon Holder (24 & 53) and his replacement after 71 minutes 19-year-old Grenada national team striker Saydrel Lewis (76 & 86) each scored twice for the Eastern Stallions on a night that also saw Kerry Daniel (6), Aikim Andrews (28), Renaldo Francois (66) and Sedale Mc Lean (93) all hit the back of the net to snap a four-game winless rot.
Morvant Caledonia with a game in hand against North East Stars, however remains seventh, ahead of, in descending order, Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers (6 points), Point Fortin Civic (5 points) and North East Stars (2 points), but with an improved 11 points after plucking just one point from their previous four games.
Also today, third-positioned Police FC (19 points) with take on Defence Force FC (17 points) from 6pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium before Club Sando and Connection tangle from 8pm at the Couva venue. Elsewhere, Civic will host Rangers from 6pm at the Mahaica Oval.
Results - Round Two Match Day Two
North East Stars 0 vs Morvant Caledonia United 8 (Kerry Daniel 6’, Sheldon Holder 24’, 53’, Aikim Andrews 28’, Renaldo Francois 66’, Saydrel Lewis 76’, 86’, Sedale Mc Lean 90’+3), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Jomoul Francois 41', Jamal Creighton 43') vs Central FC 4 (Akim Armstrong 6', 36', 44', Duane Muckette 71'), at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Teams
Game 1
North East Stars: 1.Glenroy Samuel (GK); 2.Jabari Brathwaite (14.Keithen Carter 27th minute), 8.Saleem Henry, 9.Kordell Samuel, 11.Kyle Bartholomew (7.Hayden Tinto 60th minute), 15.Lashawn Roberts, 20.Dareem Daniel (22.Allister Bernard 58th minute), 23.Sherwyn Williams, 24.Rakim Cabie, 27.Ross Dowden, 30.Kareem Davidson.
Unused substitutes: 21.Javon Sample (GK); 18.Josiah Daniel, 29.Stephen Punnette, 33.Terrell Roberts.
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Morvant Caledonia United: 31.Vino Barclett (GK); 4.Maurice Force, 7.Jesus Perez, 10.Sheldon Holder (13.Saydrel Lewis 71st minute), 11.Quincy Ballah (9.Sedale Mc Lean 71st minute), 14.Melvin Doxilly, 15.Malik Mieres, 17.Kerry Daniel, 19.Renaldo Francois (8.Ross Russell Jr. 78th minute), 22.Joshua Alexander, 29.Aikim Andrews.
Unused substitutes: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 20.Keron Cummings, 24.Osei Charles, 28.Jomokie Sandy.
Coach: Jerry Moe
Referee: Nikolai Nyron
Game 2
San Juan Jabloteh: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK); 3.Travis Joseph (17.Sean Bonval 52nd minute), 5.Kevon Villaroel, 10.Jomoul Francois (8.Jason Marcano 64th minute), 14.Tyrese Bailey, 15.Dellon Jagessar, 16.Jamal Spencer, 18.Jevon Morris, 20.Elton John (Capt.) (23.Jodel Brown 69th minute), 26.Akeem Benjamin, 27.Jamal Creighton.
Unused substitutes: 30.Shemel Louison (GK); 4.Nical Stephens, 12.Keron Bethelmy, 19.Joel Lewis.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 7.Hakim Baird, 8.Akim Armstrong (11.Xavier Rajpaul 64th minute), 10.Leston Paul, 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.) (23.Andell Brown 90th minute), 19.Jared London, 22.Jameel Neptune, 24.Duane Muckette, 29.Russel Alfred (9.Tyrik John 75th minute).
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 5.Dwight Pope, 9.Tyrik John, 13.Rhondel Gibson.
Coach: Stern John
Referee: CJ O’Brien
Upcoming Fixtures - Round Two Match Day Two
(Saturday 29 September)
Police FC vs Defence Force FC, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando vs W Connection, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 6pm at Mahaica Oval.
Round Two Match Day Three
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs Defence Force FC, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United vs Point Fortin Civic, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Central FC vs Club Sando, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Police FC vs W Connection, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
North East Stars vs San Juan Jabloteh, 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
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Tyrone Charles cancels out Alvin Jones strike as Sando hold Connection; Army beaten soundly by Police
T&T Pro League Media
W Connection’s push for a sixth overall league title – fourth in the Pro League – and first since the 2013-14 season, hit a bump in the road on Saturday night when Stuart Charles-Fevrier’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by Club Sando at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Police FC first piled the pressure on leaders Connection (27 points) with an impressive 4-0 win over Defence Force FC in the opening game of the Couva double-header to join Central FC, 4-2 winners over San Juan Jabloteh on Friday, on 22 points—five adrift of the Savonetta Boys.
San Juan Jabloteh are third with 20 points and also will not give up the fight for a Concacaf qualifier spot—a top-two finish—as the competition promises for a thrilling end.
Micah Lewis, in a rare outing for the Richard Hood-coached Police, arrived off the bench to score his first goals of the season with a late double after Kareem "Scooby" Freitas and Christian Thomas scored in separate halves.
Later, Connection had looked on their way to re-establishing a seven-point lead after makeshift forward Alvin Jones, whose scorcher eliminated the United States from World Cup 2018 qualifying almost a year ago on Oct. 11 at the same venue, scored from a free kick, beating goalkeeper Kelvin Henry after just nine minutes for his second goal from as many matches with striker Marcus Joseph injury listed.
But from an identical position above the top left of the area, another Trinidad and Tobago player, Tyrone Charles, silenced the Savonetta Boys’ supports by beating goalkeeper Julani Archibald at his near post to level the score 1-1 in the 31st minute.
Archibald had earlier denied former teammate Jabari Mitchell, but was unable to preserve the Connection’s narrow advantage but was unable to stop Charles’ free kick.
Both sides had cancelled out each other for long periods, sometimes by the use of brute force, before Jones was denied a second by the bar on the hour mark. Caleb Sturge then troubled Henry with a laser from the top of the box before Sando captain Nicholas Thomas averted further danger.
Kevon Piper had the game’s last scoring chance in stoppage-time, but the diminutive Sando substitute, with Archibald at his mercy, struck wide without even forcing a save out of the St. Kitts/Nevis international.
A point, in the end, still means rolling on for the unbeaten Connection with Police, a side unbeaten in their last eight, up next on Tuesday when both sides return to the Couva venue from 8pm in the second game of a double-header. Central will clash with Sando in the first game from 6pm.
Freitas put Police in front after 36 minutes against Defence Force, his ninth league goal of the 2018 campaign arriving in the cheekiest of fashions when he cleverly heeled the ball past Sheldon Clarke.
Defence Force, minus the likes of Dylon King, Brent Sam and Jamille Boatswain, while veteran striker Devorn Jorsling looked on from the bench, fell further behind in embarrassing style with Clarke caught out his area on 63 minutes when Christian Thomas looped the ball into the back of the net for his 4th league goal after assisting in Freitas' opening item.
Marvin Gordon tossed in the league's all-time top scorer, Jorsling, in an instant response, but Hashim Arcia brilliant curling effort which was saved onto the bar in the 15th minute by goalkeeper Adrian Foncette that stood the Tetron Boys best effort at goal.
Arcia also forced Foncette into a save with 11 minutes left, by which time Police were leading 3-0 after Micah Lewis slapped home in the 76th minute on a blocked effort from Freitas.
Micah, a 28-year-old former T&T youth player, then stole the show with a rocket in the 89th minute to complete the 4-0 win.
Kareem Perry had the bulk of the Lawmen’s chances but was denied by Clarke and the post in separate instances in the first half followed by a trio of missed chances in the second half.
Elsewhere, T&T Under-20 winger Kishon Hackshaw (32 & 82) marked his Terminix St. Ann's Rangers debut with a double, scoring the opening and closing items, but in a 2-4 losing effort at Point Fortin Civic.
Mickaeel Jem Gordon (34, 57 & 62) gave home supporters at Mahaica Oval something to cheer, Civic's second league win of the campaign, also scoring his first goals for the Point Fortin outfit by way of a hat-trick before Justin Sadoo (80) notched the Reynold Carrington-coached side's fourth item.
Civic are away from home on Tuesday against Morvant Caledonia in the second game of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium after Jabloteh hosts cellar-placed North East Stars at the Mucurapo Road venue. Rangers, meanwhile, must welcome Defence Force at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Two results
(Saturday 29 September)
Police FC 4 (Kareem Freitas 36’, Christian Thomas 63’, Micah Lewis 76’, 89’) vs Defence Force FC 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando 1 (Tyrone Charles 31’) vs W Connection 1 (Alvin Jones 9’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic 4 (Mikaeel Jem Gordon 34’, 57’, 62’, Justin sadoo 80’) vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Kishon Hackshaw 32’, 82’), at Mahaica Oval.
(Friday 28 September)
North East Stars 0 vs Morvant Caledonia United 8 (Kerry Daniel 6’, Sheldon Holder 24’, 53’, Aikim Andrews 28’, Renaldo Francois 66’, Saydrel Lewis 76’, 86’, Sedale Mc Leah 90’+3), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Jomoul Francois 41', Jamal Creighton 43') vs Central FC 4 (Akim Armstrong 6', 36', 44', Duane Muckette 71'), at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Upcoming fixtures
Round Two Match Day Three
(Tuesday 02 October 2018)
San Juan Jabloteh vs North East Stars, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United vs Point Fortin Civic, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Central FC vs Club Sando, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Police FC vs W Connection, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs Defence Force FC, 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 11 8 3 0 30 6 24 27
2 Central FC 11 7 1 3 29 18 11 22
3 Police FC 11 7 1 3 24 13 11 22
4 San Juan Jabloteh 11 6 2 3 16 12 4 20
5 Defence Force FC 11 5 2 4 24 15 9 17
6 Club Sando 11 5 2 4 20 16 -2 17
7 Morvant Caledonia Utd 10 1 5 3 22 16 6 11
8 Point Fortin Civic 11 2 2 7 13 22 -9 8
9 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 11 2 0 9 5 42 -37 6
10 North East Stars 10 0 2 8 9 32 -23 2
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Saturday
Game 1
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK) (Capt.); 3.Ryan O’Neil, 5.Kenaz Williams, 7.Kareem Perry, 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 10.Kareem Freitas (38.Makesi Lewis 81st minute), 12.Nequan Caruth (11.Micah Lewis 55th minute), 15.Christian Thomas, 21.Todd Ryan (4.Kadeem Boyce 74th minute), 29.Clevon Mc Fee, 33.Kemrom Purcell.
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK); 13.Dillon Kirton, 14.Michael Hyacinth, 17.Dexter Alleyne.
Coach: Richard Hood
Defence Force FC: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK); 4.Dave Long (39.Akil Morris 54th minute), 6.Rodell Elcock, 10.Hashim Arcia, 13.Marvin Jones, 16.Kellon Serrette, 17.Curtis Gonzales, 19.Thurlani George (9.Devorn Jorsling 65th minute), 27.Aaron Lester (20.Levi Serries 79th minute), 77.Kendell Hitlal. 99.Jerwyn Balthazar.
Unused substitutes: 80.Jameel Enil (GK); 12.Jemel Sebro, 23.Kerry Joseph, 70.Adrian Welch.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Match Officials
Referee: Nicholas Murray
Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Wales
Assistant Referee 2: Johann Corneille
Fourth Official: Gyasi Mc Donald
Referees’ Assessor: Michael Ragoonath
Match Commissioner: Shari Beharry
Game 2
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 7.Akeem Humphrey, 10.Keron Cornwall, 11.Jabari Mitchell (13.Shakiyl Phillip 80th minute), 12.Michael Basdeo (8.Kevon Piper 80th minute), 15.Jabarry Francis, 17.Tyrone Charles (9.Shackiel Henry 80th minute), 18.Aaron Kennedy, 23.Nicholas Thomas (Capt.), 27.Jayson Joseph, 44.Josiah Trimmingham.
Unused substitutes: 33.Enrique Changiah (GK); 21.Derron John, 25.Aaquil Campbell.
Coach: Angus Eve
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard, 9.Kadeem Corbin, 11.Adan Noel (23.Kennedy Hinkson 65th minute), 13.Caleb Sturge, 16.Alvin Jones, 17.Neil Benjamin Jr. (27.Kierron Mason 81st minute), 19.Briel Thomas, 26.Isaiah Garcia.
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 8.Jameel Antoine, 15.Otev Lawrence, 32.Salas Cannonier, 34.Cephas St. Rose.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Match Officials
Referee: Rashby Mc Phie
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard
Assistant Referee 2: John Barkley
Fourth Official: Marlon Peruse
Referees’ Assessor:
Match Commissioner: Cassie Moore
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WATCH: Highlights of Police FC 4-0 Defence Force; Club Sando 1-1 W Connection; Point Fortin Civic FC 4-2 St. Ann’s Rangers
https://www.youtube.com/v/qo5U6KQOdBA
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You know, I can't understand DF, nah. How could this team with some pretty good players are a shadow of the past DF teams.
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Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 11 8 3 0 30 6 24 27
2 Central FC 11 7 1 3 29 18 11 22
3 Police FC 11 7 1 3 24 13 11 22
4 San Juan Jabloteh 11 6 2 3 16 12 4 20
5 Defence Force FC 11 5 2 4 24 15 9 17
6 Club Sando 11 5 2 4 20 16 -2 17
7 Morvant Caledonia Utd 10 1 5 3 22 16 6 11
8 Point Fortin Civic 11 2 2 7 13 22 -9 8
9 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 11 2 0 9 5 42 -37 6
10 North East Stars 10 0 2 8 9 32 -23 2
That Table wrong.... ;D
Correct one (http://www.socawarriors.net/component/joomsport/table/56-tt-pro-league-2018.html?Itemid=476).
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Connection held by Pro League title challengers Police; Sando hold Central and N/E Stars stun Jabloteh late.
ttproleague.media.
Police FC stretched their unbeaten Pro League run to nine games when the Richard Hood-coached outfit held leaders W Connection to a goalless draw on Tuesday night at Ato Boldon Stadium to maintain push for a Caribbean Club Championship/CONCACAF qualifying spot—a top two finish on the domestic scene.
Connection (28 points), despite three drawn results from their last four fixtures, are still unbeaten in their 12 league outings and still way out front by five points with just six games left, beginning with rivals Central FC when the competition resumes in full on the weekend of Oct. 19-21 following the international break.
Police, meanwhile, remain third, tied on 23 points with three-time former league champions Central FC.
Club Sando, in the earlier game at the Couva venue, twice came from behind to hold Central to a 2-2 draw after a gritty affair.
Akim Armstrong put the Couva Sharks in front against his former club after 10 minutes with his 11th league goal this season tying him with Connection’s Marcus Joseph as leading scorers when he met a Duane Muckette cross to head past goalkeeper Kelvin Henry before Jayson Joseph levelled the game with a header of his own on 33 minutes. Joseph connected to Jabari Mitchell’s free kick to put the ball past Trinidad and Tobago and Central ‘keeper Marvin Phillip.
Central later took a 2-1 lead in at the break after Densill Theobald bagged a rebound in the 39th minute after Leston Paul’s effort, after combining with the World Cup 2006 midfielder, had come back off the upright.
But Tyrone Charles, who was always a torn in Central’s defence, finished with aplomb in the 58th minute to level the game 2-2. The lanky forward controlled off his chest before firing past Phillip, who had denied him on either side of the break, to celebrate his ninth league goal of the season.
Later, Police and Connection were unable to avoid a stalemate, cancelling out each other for the majority of the contest which saw an Alvin Jones free kick deflected onto the Lawmen’s post in the 5th minute and teammate Kevon Goddard narrowly missing the target near the end.
Police veteran midfielder Todd Ryan almost fired the Lawmen in front near the hour mark, but his free kick from 25 yards out crashed off the bar to the relief of Connection.
Elsewhere, cellar-placed North East Stars celebrated their first win of the season after 16 attempts in all competitions by edging San Juan Jabloteh 2-1 in the first of two matches contested at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Kordell Samuel, recently back with North East Stars for his third career stint at the club, scored deep in stoppage-time to earn the Pro League holders victory at the death.
Vincentian full-back Nical Stephens had broken the deadlock four minutes into the second half to put Jabloteh ahead, but Dareem Daniel levelled coach Zoran Vranes’ side on 63 minutes with his second top-flight goal before Samuel, a former United States, Malaysia, Thailand, El Salvador, and most recently Maldives-based player, snatched the winner.
Morvant Caledonia United were also 2-1 winners over Point Fortin Civic in the second at the Mucurapo Road venue.
Malik Mieres and Sheldon Holders scored in the 2nd and sixth minutes, respectively, to cushion the Eastern Stallions early before Justin Sadoo pulled one back from the penalty spot for the visitors in the 55th minute.
Elsewhere, Devorn Jorsling (16 & 90) scored twice as a depleted Defence Force outfit rebounded from last Saurday’s 4-0 loss against Police by whipping Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 4-1 at Larry Gomes Stadium. Aaron Lester (27), with his first top-flight goal, and Hashim Arcia (52) were also on the scoresheet for the Tetron Boys. Kerry Baptiste (53) scored the lone Rangers’ item as his side bowed to an eighth straight defeat.
Results - Round Two Match Day Three
San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Nical Stephens 49’) vs North East Stars 2 (Dareem Daniel 63’, Kordell Samuel 90+4), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Police FC 0 vs W Connection 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Malik Mieres 2’, Sheldon Holder 6’) vs Point Fortin Civic 1 (Justin Sadoo 55’ pen.), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Central FC 2 (Akim Armstrong 10’, Densill Theobald 39’) vs Club Sando 2 (Jayson Joseph 33’, Tyrone Charles 58’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Police FC 0 vs W Connection 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Kerry Baptiste 53’) vs Defence Force FC 4 (Devorn Jorsling 16’, 90’+, Aaron Lester 27’, Hashim Arcia 52’), at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Teams
Games 1
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 7.Hakim Baird, 8.Akim Armstrong (9.Tyrik John 86th minute), 10.Leston Paul, 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.) (13.Rhondel Gibson 78th minute), 19.Jared London, 24.Duane Muckette (23.Andell Brown 72nd minute), 29.Russel Alfred.
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 11.Xavier Rajpaul, 17.Renaldo Alexander, 27.Kareem Williams.
Coach: Stern John
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 6.Kemuel Rivers (19.Quinn Rodney 86th minute), 7.Akeem Humphrey, 10.Keron Cornwall, 11.Jabari Mitchell (25.Aaquil Campbell 90th minute), 12.Michael Basdeo, 15.Jabarry Francis, 17.Tyrone Charles, 18.Aaron Kennedy, 23.Nicholas Thomas (Capt.), 27.Jayson Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 33.Enrique Changiah (GK); 8.Kevon Piper, 9.Shackiel Henry, 14.Kadeem Gittens.
Coach: Angus Eve
Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Games 2
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK) (Capt.); 3.Ryan O’Neil, 5.Kenaz Williams (13.Dillon Kirton 75th minute), 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 10.Kareem Freitas, 11.Micah Lewis (38.Makesi Lewis 78th minute), 12.Nequan Caruth, 15.Christian Thomas (14.Michael Hyacinth 89th minute), 21.Todd Ryan, 29.Clevon Mc Fee, 33.Kemrom Purcell.
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK); 4.Kadeem Boyce, 9.Jameel Perry, 17.Dexter Alleyne.
Coach: Richard Hood
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard, 9.Kadeem Corbin (11.Adan Noel 78th minute), 13.Caleb Sturge, 13.Caleb Sturge, 16.Alvin Jones, 17.Neil Benjamin Jr., 19.Briel Thomas, 23.Kennedy Hinkson (27.Kierron Mason 71st minute), 26.Isaiah Garcia.
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 8.Jameel Antoine, 15.Otev Lawrence, 32.Salas Cannonier, 34.Cephas St. Rose.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Referee: Cecile Hinds
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WATCH: Police FC 0-0 W Connection; Central FC 2-2 Club Sando
https://www.youtube.com/v/bhwoDVAGH_g
WATCH: Defending Pro League Champions North East Stars get their first victory of the 2018 season with a 2-1 win over San Juan Jabloteh.
https://www.youtube.com/v/EwocDjDXJ30
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Glenroy Samuel heroics between the sticks earn North East Stars a point against Morvant Caledonia United
T&T Pro League Media
North East Stars are off the bottom of the Pro League (PL) standings for the first time this season, albeit only by goal-difference, and the holders must thank goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel for a 0-0 draw against Morvant Caledonia United in a rescheduled clash on Tuesday night at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
The 28-year-old Trinidad and Tobago former Youth World Cup ‘keeper made a second half penalty save to deny Morvant Caledonia star Keron Cummings and three other crucial stops in the half to blank his former employers—the side that had trashed North East Stars 8-0 less than a month ago.
North East Stars, with the point earned, hurdled Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers for ninth-position on the 10-team ladder but are only ahead by a superior goal-difference with both teams on 6 points, while Morvant Caledonia (15 points) remain three points behind sixth-positioned Sando with six league games left.
“We are much more competitive now,” said North East Stars’ coach Zoran Vranes, whose side are, for the first time this season, unbeaten in two consecutive outings with their previous outing a narrow 2-1 win over San Juan Jabloteh.
“It was a disaster when we played [Morvant Caledonia] a few weeks ago,” added the 68-year-old Yugoslav-born former T&T national team coach. “But now we are much better in terms of being competitive. We have added a couple players with more experience and it makes a difference in the atmosphere around the team. The players are now understanding that football is serious business and we (the club) remain focused on developing the young players to make business with them.”
North East Stars had a chance to grab the lead after 30 minutes from the penalty spot after Josiah Daniel was brought down by Malik Mieres in the area, but ex-Morvant Caledonia forward Kordell Samuel failed to beat Terrence Lewis – the ‘keeper sprawling to his left to match the striker’s effort.
Three minutes into the second half referee Keilon Bacchus pointed to the spot again when Grenada international forward Saydrel Lewis went to ground in the North East Stars’ box after a challenge from recently signed central defender Dwane James, but Samuel matched his opposite number to deny Cummings, who lacked conviction from as early as his casual approach to the kick.
Samuel followed up with two more saves, the second to deny substitute Sheldon Holder six minutes from time before defender James cleared at the goalmouth to keep out a follow up effort from Saydrel Lewis as Morvant Caledonia struggled against a side they washed comfortably on Sep. 28.
A stoppage-time miss by substitute Quincy Ballah with Samuel at his mercy dropped the curtain on a miserable performance by the “Eastern Stallions” who must next host Rangers in the first game of a double-header from 6pm on Friday at Ato Boldon Stadium. Jabloteh will tackle third-placed Police FC from 8pm in the second game.
“We had the players to get the job done against North East Stars,” said Morvant Caledonia coach Jerry Moe, whose side was also equipped with the likes of former Canada-based winger Aikim Andrews and veteran midfielder Kerry Daniel.
”We had enough clear cut chances to put the game away [although] we were a bit flat without enough penetration.
“But we had one or two bright spots in the performances of [defenders] Maurice Ford and Ross Russell (Jr.) and [keeper] Terrence Lewis.
“I don’t think we did everything wrong [against North East Stars], but it’s back to the drawing board for us to improve a couple areas in terms of finishing and creating more chances and maybe the result will come against Rangers,” ended the Morvant Caledonia coach.
North East Stars, meanwhile, must next host Defence Force FC from 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium on Saturday.
North East Stars held the “Tetron Boys” to a 1-1 draw when both sides met two months ago, Aug. 18, in Round One.
“It was a surprise for me then,” Vranes said. “I expect [Saturday’s game] to be a difficult but equal one. At least we will be more competitive. We are more optimistic now.”
Also on Saturday, W Connection and Central FC will square off in a top-of-the-table clash from 3:30pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium. Pro League action will return to the Marabella venue on Sunday with Club Sando hosting Point Fortin Civic from 3:30pm.
Pro League 2018
Rescheduled Round One Match Day Four result
(Tuesday 16 October)
Morvant Caledonia United 0 vs North East Stars 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Upcoming fixtures
Round Two Match Day Four
(Friday 19 October)
Morvant Caledonia United vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh vs Police FC, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
(Saturday 20 October)
W Connection vs Central FC, 3:30pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
North East Stars vs Defence Force FC, 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium;
(Sunday 21 October)
Club Sando vs Point Fortin Civic, 3:30pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Tuesday
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 4.Maurice Force, 5.Joshua Sylvester (10.Sheldon Holder 62nd minute), 8.Ross Russell Jr., 9.Sedale Mc Lean (11.Quincy Ballah 70th minute), 13.Saydrel Lewis, 15.Malik Mieres, 17.Kerry Daniel (Capt.), 20.Keron Cummings, 22.Joshua Alexander, 29.Aikim Andrews (25.Joshua Martin 88th minute).
Unused substitutes: 6.Keion Goodridge, 24.Osei Charles, 28.Jomokie Sandy.
Coach: Jerry Moe
North East Stars: 1.Glenroy Samuel (GK); 7.Hayden Tinto, 9.Kordell Samuel, 14.Keithen Carter, 15.Lashawn Roberts, 18.Josiah Daniel (8.Saleem Henry 60th minute), 23.Sherwyn Williams (12.Jaydon Prowell 46th minute), 24.Rakim Cabie, 26.Dwane James, 27.Ross Dowden, 30.Kareem Davidson (2.Jabari Brathwaite 81st minute).
Unused substitutes: 21.Javon Sample (GK); 6.Adrian Noel, 20.Dareem Daniel, 22.Allister Bernard.
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Match Officials
Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Wales
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Cox
Fourth Official: Joel Cox
Match Commissioner: Cassie Moore
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 12 8 4 0 30 6 24 28
2 Central FC 12 7 2 3 31 20 11 23
3 Police FC 12 7 2 3 24 13 11 23
4 Defence Force FC 12 6 2 4 28 16 12 20
5 San Juan Jabloteh 12 6 2 4 17 14 3 20
6 Club Sando 12 5 3 4 22 18 -2 18
7 Morvant Caledonia Utd 12 3 6 3 24 17 7 15
8 Point Fortin Civic 12 2 2 8 14 24 -10 8
9 North East Stars 12 1 3 8 11 33 -22 6
10 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 12 2 0 10 6 46 -40 6
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Marcus “Lobo” Joseph a doubt for Connection’s crucial clash against ex-employers Central
T&T Pro League Media
W Connection head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier says there is a “50-50 chance” his ace scorer Marcus “Lobo” Joseph will feature in the “Savonetta Boys”’ top-of-the-table Pro League (PL) clash with Couva rivals Central FC from 3:30pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Trinidad and Tobago forward had been sidelined since picking up a knee injury in the first half of his team’s 1-1 shock draw with North East Stars on Sep. 22 at Larry Gomes Stadium.
“It was a wild tackle,” Fevrier recalled. “Since then, that has hampered us because we don’t have another centre forward. We have been forced to use makeshift centre forwards.
“[But] we won’t force him (Joseph) if he isn’t ready,” added longstanding Connection coach on Thursday. “We will continue to assess him over the next couple of days because he has not been training regularly since the injury. It’s a 50-50 chance at the moment.”
Joseph, one of the leading contenders for the league Golden Boot, has been instrumental in Connection’s push this season for an unprecedented sixth league title since the turn of the professional era in 1999. He has scored 18 times in all competitions this season with three of his items a hat-trick scored in a 6-1 triumph over his former employers Central when both sides met in round one in the league on Aug. 18.
Connection, though, have drawn three of the four fixtures beginning with the tied result against North East Stars when Joseph failed to continue beyond the break and managed just two points from a possible six in their last two outings against Club Sando and Police.
But the “Savonetta Boys” have maintained their unbeaten league status this season after 12 games.
“We are still on top in the league and that it the most important thing at this stage,” said Fevrier. “We just have to solve our problems in scoring. We were in a better situation with Marcus (Joseph) but football is a game of solving problems.”
Although Connection defeated Central comfortably the last time both teams met, Fevrier is mindful that no two games are the same. “Football is on the day,” he reminded. “On that day we got the better of them. Central are a good team and we cannot dwell on the last game against them or any other team.”
Connection (28 points) leads the 2018 PL standings by five points with six games left and Central and Police FC both on 23 points in second and third positions, respectively.
But Police can mount the pressure on the front two with a win against San Juan Jabloteh when the “Lawmen” lock horns with the four-time former PL champions from 8pm on Friday in the second game of a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium. Morvant Caledonia United, fresh off a disappointing goalless draw against league holders North East Stars, will take on cellar-placed Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers in the first game at the Couva venue from 6pm.
Jabloteh edged Police 2-1 when both sides met in Round One on Aug. 18, but since then the “Lawmen” are undefeated in nine consecutive outings.
Richard Hood’s side must however do without suspended talisman Kareem Freitas due to card accumulation. The forward scored 15 times in all competitions this season with 9 of them league goals, the same as Sando’s Tyrone Charles as the pair trail leading scorers Joseph and Central’s Akim Armstrong who are both on 11 league goals.
On Saturday, North East Stars will host Defence Force FC from 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, simultaneous to the feature clash between Connection and Central at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
The Marabella venue will come alive again on Sunday from 3:30pm with another highly anticipated clash when two teams loaded with rising talents, Club Sando and Point Fortin Civic, tangle for points.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Four
(Friday 19 October)
Morvant Caledonia United vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh vs Police FC, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
(Saturday 20 October)
W Connection vs Central FC, 3:30pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
North East Stars vs Defence Force FC, 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium;
(Sunday 21 October)
Club Sando vs Point Fortin Civic, 3:30pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
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WATCH: Glenroy Samuel heroics between the sticks earn North East Stars a point against Morvant Caledonia United
https://www.youtube.com/v/MQN6UBblOqE
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Advisory – Postponement of Matches for Friday 19 October 2018.
ttproleaguemedia.
The Pro League has been informed by the stadium management that due to the continued downpour the Ato Boldon Stadium main field is presently waterlogged.
On the advice of the stadium management today’s (Oct. 19) matches have been postponed to a date to be decided.
The League apologises for any inconvenience caused.
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Pro League clubs to assist communities affected by floods, postpones league competition a further week
T&T Pro League Media
Trinidad and Tobago Pro League clubs will join the relief effort of the national community for people affected by flooding.
As a result, the Pro League Board of Directors and League administration have decided to postpone the league competition a further week following adverse weather and flooding across the twin-island republic.
Board member and Central FC’s managing director Brent Sancho, who is leading the relief initiative, explained, “All clubs believe the effort is necessary, and I call on every citizen to reach out and assist.”
Sancho has air marked Kelly Village to offer assistance and said there are discussions to assist Sangre Grande.
“I am amazed that no life was lost in this situation; I am really grateful for that,” said Sando, who visited some of the affected areas.
The ex-Minister of Sport and T&T 2006 World Cup defender added, “It’s almost impossible to believe even looking at the height of water marks. You will see on social media and mainstream media some of the destruction, but being in it really gives you the full psychological effect of what happened. Just imagine losing everything that you own. There is a lot of despair... a full range of emotions.
Sancho said while there may be food assistance and items to some people, a lot of affected families are still on their own in terms of manpower. “They can receive food items but still don’t have somewhere to cook,” he stressed. “They need manpower to clean their homes. We the clubs can offer assistance though our players and staff with some brooms and shovels and the aid of some trucks to try and restore some level of normality to the affected homes.”
W Connection CEO and PL Board Member, Renee John-Williams, highlighted that players, coaches, staff members, referees and other people who provide services to the clubs and the league are among those affected.
She said the postponement of matches a further week will also allow the playing surfaces, which have been saturated by the torrential rainfall, time to recoup.
The League hopes to resume play on Tuesday 30th October with a number of highly anticipated matches including a clash of Couva rivals W Connection and Central FC in a top-of-the-table tie.
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WATCH: Morvant Caledonia United assists with the Flood Relief Effort in Greenvale
https://www.youtube.com/v/2NiNPnSS62U
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Pro League clubs join nationwide relief effort to flood victims
T&T Pro League Media
Equipped with power washers, brooms and other cleaning items, Trinidad and Tobago Pro League footballers were among citizens lending support to residents across the country affected by last week’s flooding.
The Pro League (PL) effort, involving all ten member clubs (Central FC, Club Sando, Defence Force FC, Morvant Caledonia United, North East Stars, Police FC, Point Fortin Civic, San Juan Jabloteh, Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers and W Connection), saw teams assisting in the collection of non-perishable food items, clothing, cleaning and more.
Brent Sancho, Central FC managing director and PL Board member, said it was an instant reaction by the PL Board for the entire League to come together and assist the nation in relief support to people affected by the floods.
“(…) particularly when we some of our players and families were affected by the floods,” Sancho a former Minister of Sport said. “The decision came down swiftly, [the PL Board] decided it was important that we get involved in making sure that the people affected by the floods have some sort of relief. [So] as a joint effort we were able to collect items such as clothes, non-perishable items to distribute.”
Central FC and Police FC on Friday visited affected homes in some areas of Kelly Village to provide meals, food items, clothing and cleaning supplies. The group also had power washers to assist with cleaning efforts which are expected to continue over the coming days.
“Just to see what transpired and the way some people now have to live—some people have lost everything, the sympathy I just had a lady crying on my shoulder because she [recently] lost her husband and her daughter and now to have this tragic thing happen to her in terms of the flood waters is really heart-breaking. I encourage and implore more people to come and help these people because they really need as much help as they can get.”
Morvant Caledonia United players also took time off their schedule to distribute food hampers to some affected families in Greenvale, La Horquetta, one of the areas hardest hit by the flooding. The “Eastern Stallions” also helped in clean-up efforts as affected families try to restore some level of normalcy.
“We have to thank God [for no loss of life],” said Morvant Caledonia star Keron Cummings. The Trinidad and Tobago midfielder said the unfortunate situation now faced by families across the country presents an opportunity to test the love for one another as a people.
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers also assisted areas in La Horquetta affected by flood with cash donations as well as assisted in clean-up efforts.
San Juan Jabloteh assisted through donations at Church of Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe in Bourg Mulatresse for affected areas.
W Connection will collaborate efforts with RBC Royal Bank on Saturday to assist affected homes in Mafeking, Mayaro while Club Sando worked through the relief efforts of Naparima College which the club holds a close relationship with.
“Some instances they may never return to normalcy,” a concerned Sancho believes. “There are some areas that aren’t being touched (…) and the people need all the help they can get. Help is coming slowly, but when you lose everything and you have to start over from scratch it’s very difficult to watch somebody in their face and try to comfort them because they really are starting back from ground zero.”
Sancho has also focused on efforts through his Sancho Sports Foundation and For a Cause initiatives, the latter of which will host a Pop Up event at Woodford Café, featuring performances by Iwer George, Rome, KI and Alison Hinds. People are asked to bring anything to help flood victims.
The Pro League competition resumes on Tuesday with Round Two Match Day Four double-headers at Ato Boldon Stadium and Hasely Crawford Stadium.
In Couva, W Connection and Central FC will renew their rivalry from 6pm in the top-of-the-table clash before Club Sando and Point Fortin Civic lock horns from 8pm.
Simultaneously in Port of Spain, Morvant Caledonia United will clash with cellar-placed Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers from 6pm followed by San Juan Jabloteh against Police FC from 8pm.
North East Stars’ and Defence Force FC’s Round Two Match Day Four tie will be contested at a later date to be decided.
https://www.youtube.com/v/1eqTBdIm3Dw
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Couva Clásico! Connection, Central to renew rivalry on Pro League resumption
T&T Pro League Media
Pro League (PL) leaders W Connection are one of many teams eager to get the ball rolling again following a lengthy layoff, most recently due to flooding a fortnight ago which affected many parts of Trinidad and Tobago.
PL fixtures resume on Tuesday with double-headers in Couva and Port-of-Spain as the race for the league crown hits the final stretch with six match days left.
Connection will clash with Couva rivals Central from 6pm in a top-of-the-table tie at Ato Boldon Stadium before Club Sando host Point Fortin Civic from 8pm.
Simultaneously at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Morvant Caledonia United will face cellar-placed Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers from 6pm before San Juan Jabloteh and Police FC tackle each other from 8pm.
Connection (28 points) leads the PL standings by five points with Central and Police FC both on 23 points in second and third positions, respectively, with the top-two finishers earning berths at the Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship.
Striker Marcus Joseph is expected to return for Connection against his ex-club Central after being sidelined since suffering an injury during the “Savonetta Boys”’ shock 1-1 result at North East Stars on Sep. 22.
Since then Connection have only managed just one win from their last four games, with their last two ending in drawn results against Sando and Police, though maintaining an unbeaten league status this season after 12 games.
Central meanwhile picked up two wins from their last four, with one loss and a 2-2 draw last time out against Sando.
“We are still on top in the league and that it the most important thing at this stage,” Connection Head Coach Stuart Charles Fevrier said two weeks ago.
Fevrier admitted, however, being without Joseph, the leading scorer this season, proved difficult for the “Savonetta Boys”. “We were in a better situation with Marcus (Joseph) but football is a game of solving problems.”
Joseph, one of the leading contenders for the league Golden Boot tied on 11 goals with Central’s Akim Armstrong, has been instrumental in Connection’s push this season for an unprecedented sixth league title since the turn of the professional era in 1999. Joseph has scored 18 times in all competitions this season with three of his items a hat-trick scored in a 6-1 triumph over his former employers Central when both sides met in round one in the league on Aug. 18.
But although Connection defeated Couva Sharks comfortably the last time both teams met, Fevrier is mindful that no two games are the same. “Football is on the day,” he reminded. “On that day we got the better of them. Central are a good team and we cannot dwell on the last game against them or any other team.”
Elsewhere, Police FC Coach Richard Hood must however do without suspended talisman Kareem Freitas due to card accumulation. The forward scored 15 times in all competitions this season with 9 of them league goals, the same as Sando’s Tyrone Charles as the pair are two adrift of Joseph and Armstrong.
Jabloteh edged Police 2-1 when both sides met in Round One on Aug. 18, but since then the “Lawmen” are undefeated in nine consecutive outings.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Four
(Tuesday 30 October)
W Connection vs Central FC, 6 pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando vs Point Fortin Civic, 8 pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 6 pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh vs Police FC, 8 pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 12 8 4 0 30 6 24 28
2 Central FC 12 7 2 3 31 20 11 23
3 Police FC 12 7 2 3 24 13 11 23
4 Defence Force FC 12 6 2 4 28 16 12 20
5 San Juan Jabloteh 12 6 2 4 17 14 3 20
6 Club Sando 12 5 3 4 22 18 -2 18
7 Morvant Caledonia Utd 12 3 6 3 24 17 7 15
8 Point Fortin Civic 12 2 2 8 14 24 -10 8
9 North East Stars 12 1 3 8 11 33 -22 6
10 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 12 2 0 10 6 46 -40 6
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Archibald, Phillip shine on rainy night as Couva Clásico end in stalemate before Sando put four past Civic
T&T Pro League Media
Pro Leaders W Connection and Couva rivals Central FC played to a 0-0 stalemate as the top three – Police FC the worst of them – took stumbles on resumption Tuesday though maintaining their places on the ladder with five games left.
Connection (29 points), despite a third straight draw, maintained a five-point lead with Central (24 points) closest in second after some fine goalkeeping by Julani Archiland and Marvin Phillip produced a point for each side under heavy drizzle in the opening match of a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Marcus “Lobo” Joseph, overall leading scorer with 18 goals in all competitions this season, was denied by the upright and Central 'keeper Phillip in the first half. Seemingly anxious to get on the scoresheet against his ex-club after a five weeks through injury and a break in the league, Joseph hit off target on three other occasions—the best opportunity of them flying overbar in the second half after controlling off his chest in the area.
Joseph, in the end, failed to pull away from "Couva Sharks"' forward Akim Armstrong as both lead this season's league scorers with 11 goals.
Armstrong, denied by Archibald, also endured disappointment when he failed to convert from the penalty spot in the final minute of regular time after referee Keilon Bacchus ruled a handball in the area against Sando captain and defender Nicholas Thomas.
Phillip later kept out a late free-kick rocket from his Trinidad and Tobago national teammate Alvin Jones and a follow up effort by substitute Kierron Mason as both sides had to settle for shared points.
But Tyrone Charles, in the second game of the Couva double-header, scored his tenth league goal of the campaign and 12th in all competitions and was involved in his team’s opening item as Club Sando enjoyed a 4-1 win over Point Fortin Civic.
Aaquil Campbell celebrated his first Sando goal, putting Angus Eve's men ahead after 35 minutes, by turning a head-on by Keron Cornwall, off a Charles cross, past goalkeeper Akini Adam's.
Charles, whose speed proved too much for Civic, then made it 2-0 three minutes later with a cool finish past Adams.
Justin Sadoo failed to slice the visitors’ deficit from the penalty spot six minutes into the second half. The crafty midfielder’s poorly struck kick on the tricky surface made for a comfortable save by Sando first choice Kelvin Henry after referee Keilon Bacchus ruled a handball in the area against defender and captain Nicholas Thomas.
Henry was however beaten by a venomous strike from Akeem Redhead on 55 minutes despite getting an arm to the winger's effort from the top of the area.
But substitute Quinn Rodney restored Sando's two-goal cushion after combining with Michael Basdeo in the Civic area on 77 minutes before an own goal credited to Jeremiah Kesar five minutes from time completed the comfortable 4-1 win on a waterlogged surface due to a downpour.
Civic’s misery ended with defender Seon Thomas receiving an automatic red card in stoppage-time after his second yellow and will miss his team’s trip against Police on Friday.
Elsewhere, San Juan Jabloteh snapped Police FC's nine-game undefeated streak with a 2-0 win to join the third-placed "Lawmen" on 23 points but climbed only one spot into fourth with a lesser goal difference.
Joel Lewis (7), with his first goal of the season arriving against his ex-club, and Jamal Creighton (14) cushioned Jabloteh early in the second game of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium after 10-men Morvant Caledonia United stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a 2-0 win over cellar-placed Terminix St. Ann's Rangers.
Morvant Caledonia defender Maurice Ford was sent off on a direct red card six minutes from the half, but second-half goals Sedale Mc Lean (49) and Melvin Doxilly (86) earned the Jerry Moe-coached "Eastern Stallions" only their fourth league win this season after 13 outings.
Morvant Caledonia (18 points) remained seventh, with Civic (8 points), North East Stars (6 points) and Rangers (6 points) below, while Sando (21 points) moved up a spot into fifth, one point ahead of Defence Force FC, who have a game in hand against North East Stars.
Defence Force, 4-1 winners over Rangers last time out on Oct. 2, will return to action against Connection from 8pm on Friday at Ato Boldon Stadium after Sando host Jabloteh from 6pm.
Also on Friday, Morvant Caledonia will welcome Central from 6pm at Hasely Crawford in the first match of a double-header which will later see Police welcome back talisman Kareem Freitas (9 league goals) from card accumulation against Civic from 8pm.
Pro League action will continue on Saturday with Rangers and North East Stars tangling from 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Four results
(Tuesday 30 October)
W Connection 0 vs Central FC 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando 4 (Aaquil Campbell 35’, Tyrone Charles 38’, Quinn Rodney 77’, Jeremiah Kesar Own Goal 85’) vs Point Fortin Civic 1 (Akeem Redhead 55’), at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Sedale Mc Lean 49’, Melvin Doxilly 86’) vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Joel Lewis 7’, Jamal Creighton 14’) vs Police FC 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Upcoming fixtures
Round Two Match Day Five
(Friday 02 November)
Morvant Caledonia United vs Central FC, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Police FC vs Point Fortin Civic, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Club Sando vs San Juan Jabloteh, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection vs Defence Force FC, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
(Saturday 03 November)
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs North East Stars, 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 13 8 5 0 30 6 24 29
2 Central FC 13 7 3 3 31 20 11 24
3 Police FC 13 7 2 4 24 15 9 23
4 San Juan Jabloteh 13 7 2 4 19 14 5 23
5 Club Sando 13 6 3 4 26 19 7 21
6 Defence Force FC 12 6 2 4 28 16 12 20
7 Morvant Caledonia Utd 13 4 6 3 26 17 9 18
8 Point Fortin Civic 13 2 2 9 15 28 -13 8
9 North East Stars 12 1 3 8 11 33 -22 6
10 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 13 2 0 11 6 48 -42 6
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Tuesday
Game 1
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 7.Jomal Williams, 8.Jameel Antoine (27.Kierron Mason 60th minute), 9.Kadeem Corbin, 11.Adan Noel (23.Kennedy Hinkson 70th minute), 13.Caleb Sturge, 16.Alvin Jones, 19.Briel Thomas, 99.Marcus Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 15.Otev Lawrence, 26.Isaiah Garcia, 32.Salas Cannonier, 34.Cephas St. Rose.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 7.Hakim Baird, 8.Akim Armstrong, 10.Leston Paul, 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.), 19.Jared London, 27.Andell Brown (13.Rhondel Gibson 46th minute), 29.Russel Alfred (11.Xavier Rajpaul 84th minute).
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 9.Tyrik John, 24.Duane Muckette, 40.Gibbs Braxton, 41.Renaldo Alexander,
Coach: Stern John
Match Officials
Referee: Rodphin Harris
Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Cox
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Williams
Fourth Official: Dave Daniel
Match Commissioner: Lennox “Bullet” Pilgrim
Game 2
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 6.Kemuel Rivers, 8.Kevon Piper (7.Akeem Humphrey 73rd minute), 10.Keron Cornwall, 12.Michael Basdeo, 17.Tyrone Charles (9.Shackiel Henry 83rd minute), 18.Aaron Kennedy, 23.Nicholas Thomas (Capt.), 25.Aaquil Campbell (19.Quinn Rodney 73rd minute), 27.Jayson Joseph, 44.Josiah Trimmingham.
Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkley (GK); 13.Shakiyl Phillip, 14.Kadeem Gittens, 20.Tigana Sparks.
Coach: Angus Eve
Point Fortin Civic: 52.Akini Adams (GK); 7.Hughtun Hector (Capt.) (14.Shaquille John 83rd minute), 8.Jamal John, 11.Akeem Redhead, 18.Mickaeel Jem Gordon (24.Akinola Gregory 74th minute), 19.Nathaniel Garcia, 20.Bevon Bass, 21.Ronell Paul, 26.Jeremiah Kesar, 33.Justin Sadoo, 55.Seon Thomas.
Unused substitutes: 31.Ishmael Salaam (GK); 25.Shaquille Dublin, 29.Ronald Charles, 30.Nion Lammy.
Coach: Reynold Carrington
Match Officials
Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Assistant Referee 1: Keron Myers
Assistant Referee 2: Anton Gill
Fourth Official: Gyasi Mc Donald
Match Commissioner: Wayne Caesar
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WATCH: Highlights of Morvant Caledonia United's 2-0 win over St. Ann's Rangers and San Juan Jabloteh's 2-0 win over Police FC.
https://www.youtube.com/v/zdKARX7sxdI
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Police close in on Connection’s title tilt
T&T Pro League Media
Pro League leaders W Connection were yesterday held to a goalless stalemate against a depleted Defence Force FC side, dropping points for a fourth consecutive time and allowing Police FC, 4-1 winners over minnows Point Fortin Civic, to narrow the gap to four points.
Connection, undefeated in the league this season, however continue to lead the table with 30 points, while Police (26 points) hurdled Central FC (24 points) for second after the “Couva Sharks” were tamed by a 2-1 come-from-behind win by Morvant Caledonia United, a side now undefeated in their last six outings, in the first game of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Jamaica’s Ewan Grandison fired the “Couva Sharks” in front after 26 minutes, but former Canada-based winger Aikim Andrews levelled hosts Morvant Caledonia ten minutes later before Guyana international Sheldon Holder snatched the eventual winner four minutes from the half.
Kareem Freitas (14, 43 & 73), in the second game at the Mucurapo Road venue, netted his first hat-trick of the season for his 10th, 11th and 12th league goals to move one more than Connection’s Marcus Joseph and Central’s Akim Armstrong. Jameel Perry (71) was also on target for the “Lawmen” while Tobagonian forward Mickaeel Jem Gordon (50) scored the lone Civic item.
Connection were unable to join the goal-rush with substitute Kevon Goddard closest to separating Stuart Charles Fevrier’s men from Defence Force when his 72nd-minute effort crashed off the upright in the second game at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Earlier at the Couva venue, Tyrone Charles scored a first half brace but his side, Club Sando, needed a stoppage-time winner from the eventual hat-trick hero to snare a dramatic 3-2 win over his ex-club San Juan Jabloteh.
Charles, now on target in each of Sando’s last four outings, opened the scoring against Jabloteh by chipping goalkeeper Shemel Louison from the left in the seventh minute and reached his double by the 41st minute with a cool finish past the Grenada international after a win and feed by Akeem Humphrey.
But defender Jamal Spencer halved the Jabloteh deficit two minutes later to celebrate his first top-flight goal, and Jomoul Francois, with his eight league goal of the campaign, looked to have earned Jabloteh a hard-worked point on 89 minutes when he fired into the roof of Kelvin Henry’s net.
But Louison’s spill on another Charles effort deep into stoppage time saw the ball enter the net off the post and Sando taking away full points thanks to their in-form forward.
Charles now leads the race for the Golden Boot with 13 league goals and would to continue his rich form when the Pro League continues next weekend.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Five results
(Friday 02 November)
Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Aikim Andrews 35’ Sheldon Holder 41’) vs Central FC 1 (Ewan Grandison 26’), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Police FC 4 (Kareem Freitas 14’ pen., 43’, 73’, Jameel Perry 71’) vs Point Fortin Civic 1 (Mickaeel Jem Gordon 50’), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Club Sando 3 (Tyrone Charles 7’, 41’, 90’+3) vs San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Jamal Spencer 43’, Jomoul Francois 89’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 0 vs Defence Force FC 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs North East Stars (CANCELLED)
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 14 8 6 0 30 6 24 30
2 Police FC 14 8 2 4 28 16 12 26
3 Central FC 14 7 3 4 32 22 10 24
4 Club Sando 14 7 3 4 29 21 8 24
5 San Juan Jabloteh 14 7 2 5 21 17 4 23
6 Defence Force FC 13 6 3 4 28 16 12 21
7 Morvant Caledonia Utd 14 5 6 3 28 18 10 21
8 Point Fortin Civic 14 2 2 10 16 32 -16 8
9 North East Stars 12 1 3 8 11 33 -22 6
10 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 13 2 0 11 6 48 -42 6
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday
Game 1
Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK); 6.Kemuel Rivers, 7.Akeem Humphrey, 10.Keron Cornwall (11.Jabari Mitchell 36th minute), 12.Michael Basdeo (8.Kevon Piper 74th minute), 17.Tyrone Charles, 18.Aaron Kennedy, 23.Nicholas Thomas (Capt.), 25.Aaquil Campbell (13.Shakiyl Phillip 69th minute), 27.Jayson Joseph, 44.Josiah Trimmingham.
Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkley (GK); 9.Shackiel Henry, 19.Quinn Rodney, 20.Tigana Sparks.
Coach: Angus Eve
San Juan Jabloteh: 30.Shemel louison (GK); 4.Nical Stephens (18.Jevon Morris 71st minute), 5.Kevon Villaroel, 10.Jomoul Francois, 14.Tyrese Bailey (8.Jason Marcano 53rd minute), 15.Dillon Jagessar, 16.Jamal Spencer, 20.Elton John (Capt.), 19.Joel Lewis, 24.Kareem Eastman (11.Darren Mitchell 56th minute), 27.Jamal Creighton.
Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GGK); 12.Keron Bethelmy, 23.Jodel Brown, 26.Akeem Benjamin.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Match Officials
Referee: Rodphin Harris
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Gill
Assistant Referee 2: Keron Myers
Fourth Official: Cecile Hinds
Match Commissioner: Cassie Moore
Game 2
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 7.Jomal Williams, 9.Kadeem Corbin, 11.Adan Noel (23.Kennedy Hinkson 64th minute), 13.Caleb Sturge, 15.Otev Lawrence, 16.Alvin Jones, 19.Briel Thomas, 27.Kierron Mason (6.Kevon Goddard 66th minute), 99.Marcus Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 8.Jameel Antoine, 26.Isaiah Garcia, 32.Salas Cannonier, 34.Cephas St. Rose.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Defence Force FC: 80.Aaron Enil (GK); 2.Kevon Blackman, 4.Dave Long (20.Levi Serries 59th minute), 6.Rodell Elcock, 10.Hashim Arcia, 12.Jemel Sebro, 13.Marvin Jones (77.Kendell Hitlal 78th minute), 16.Kellon Serrette, 27.Aaron Foster, 70.Adrian Welch, 99.Jerwyn Balthazar.
Unused substitutes: 1.Andre Marchan (GK); 8.Christoher Durity, 9.Devorn Jorsling, 19.Thurlani George, 23.Kerry Joseph.
Coach: Marvin Gordon
Match Officials
Referee: Joel Cox
Assistant Referee 1: John Barkley
Assistant Referee 2: Rondell Bowen
Fourth Official: Cecile Hinds
Match Commissioner: Wayne Caesar
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WATCH: Morvant Caledonia United 2-1 Central FC; Police FC 4-1 Point Fortin Civic FC
https://www.youtube.com/v/SyJYy9J2fVs
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Brilliantly executed goal by Jem Gordon. :applause: What's the story behind his departure from the Czech Republic?
No disrespect to PF Civic but I suspect that, if arrangements in the Pro League were less volatile, MJG probably would not be in Point.
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Brilliantly executed goal by Jem Gordon. :applause: What's the story behind his departure from the Czech Republic?
No disrespect to PF Civic but I suspect that, if arrangements in the Pro League were less volatile, MJG probably would not be in Point.
He and Seon Thomas were playing in the 4th tier in Czech Republic. They performed decently I think but I guess follow up options and conditions/demands weren't met. Especially as the team finished bottom or there about I believe.
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Pro League chairman slams uncooperative Stars.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
THE PRO League will not be affected by any potential fall-out, over the status of defending champion team North East Stars, who are yet to pay a cent, from their expected sum of $130,000 for the 2018 season.
That sum will assist with the running of the League, particularly costs of referees, match commissioners and the administrative arm.
North East Stars were due to play Terminix St Ann’s Rangers on Saturday, in a Round Two Match Day Five fixture, at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima. However, the league issued a media release on Friday, which stated the game was cancelled.
It was revealed in an article on the local website Wired868 that the league’s hierarchy is looking at imposing disciplinary measures for North East Stars.
Club owner Ryan Nunes could not be reached for a comment, but technical director Michael Awai, when contacted, took an evasive approach.
“You shouldn’t be talking to me, you should be talking to the Pro League,” said Awai who, with Nunes, took over the running of the club from long-serving owner Darryl Mahabir earlier this year. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Asked about the status of last Saturday’s cancelled match against Rangers, Awai replied, “I don’t know what’s going on.”
Interim league chairman Richard Fakoory who, ironically, is the owner of St Ann’s Rangers, said yesterday, “There is no club that could hurt this Pro League, as big as they are. (If any club) fall out, the league will continue, it will not lose any image. Football is bigger than the player, (and) the administrator. Football will always play.”
Fakoory, who replaced Joseph Sam Phillip as league chairman in April, continued, “I’m thankful for the Government subvention (but) it’s our League. The league belongs to us, the pro teams. We have to take care of the league. We decided (that) we will play for no prize money but we have to pay for referees, commissioners, administrators and everything.”
Fakoory was upset with the lack of cooperation from both Nunes and Awai.
According to Fakoory, “We haven’t heard from them. They haven’t been paying their fees to (help) run the League. We sent them a letter, they replied to it stating that they we didn’t pay them the prize money from last year. We told them ‘how could that be?’. The previous owner (Darryl Mahabir) told you there were no prize money, what does that have to do with (Nunes and Awai).
“The coach (of the 2017 team Derek King) and all the players knew that.”
Fakoory said he contacted Mahabir who, in turn, stressed that he told Nunes and Awai that there was no prize money at stake last season.
Ironically, Mahabir informed Fakoory that a similar occurrence took place in 2004, when Stars won their first Pro League crown.
“Nevertheless, even if there was a prize, it was for last year’s owner,” Fakoory said. “(Nunes and Awai) bought over the club. We cannot throw them out the league. Remember they’re a shareholder, we all have equal shares. Under the constitution, they could be disciplined or suspended. If they don’t want to contribute to the running of the league, the other nine clubs cannot do it for them. They have to put in their share.”
Fakoory said the clubs will have to pay at least $15,000 per month, before the February 2019 deadline.
“Club Sando and Rangers paid their $130,000 up front, when they got their subventions. Other clubs are doing it monthly. But every club has contributed two or three months already. Not all clubs are up-to-date but they’ve been paying to run the league.
“We’ve talked to (Nunes and Awai), they don’t even come to meetings, they don’t share views, they don’t give ideas.”
Awai was at the helm of Futgof (Future Generation of Players) during the league’s early years (1999 and 2000).
Asked to confirm rumours that the Stars players were not being paid, Fakoory responded, “I heard the talk too but, to me, there is no proof of such a thing. You would hear it from all other clubs.”
Before the start of the 2018 season, Awai was quoted as saying that he was interested in developing talent with this new-look team. Will any punishment affect his drive or is any punishment necessary?
Fakoory replied, “It could be (the latter) because if we do suspend them, should it happen that way (that) they don’t come up to par in the next few days, it’s very possible we’ll write the TTFA and even CONCACAF, and they may be sanctioned. In terms of the players, I don’t know what they will do.”
There is a proposed meeting for the club owners today, at a venue to be decided.
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Stars just reach and giving all dis chubble? :devil: Steups.
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Police wants CONCACAF return, eyes Pro League top-two finish
T&T Pro League Media
Police FC head coach Richard Hood believes a Caribbean Club Championship berth—a Pro League (PL) top-two finish—is achievable with his team currently positioned second on the domestic 2018 standings with four games left.
Hood’s side, unbeaten in eight of their last nine PL outings, have 26 points, four adrift of leaders W Connection (30 points), with, in the following order, Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, North East Stars, Morvant Caledonia United and Central FC left to face.
“The ambition is to first qualify for the Caribbean Club Championship,” said Hood, whose Police outfit will tackle the cellar-placed Rangers from 6pm on Friday in the first game of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium before Defence Force FC and San Juan Jabloteh lock horns from 8pm.
Connection, who have Civic, San Juan Jabloteh and North East Stars in their last three games, must first host Morvant Caledonia, a side unbeaten in their last six outings, from 3:30pm on Friday at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, while Couva rivals Central FC must travel to Mahaica Oval against host Point Fortin Civic from 7pm.
Connection are winless in their last four outings though maintaining their unbeaten run of the current league campaign, but with Police, Central and Sando biting at their heels, the “Savonetta Boys” must not drop further points.
“We would like to finish as champions but that is not really within our hands,” added Hood. “So the intention is to finish second which is within our hands.”
Central and Sando, both sides on 24 points, follow closely in third and fourth positions, respectively, and are also keen on qualifying for the 2020 Caribbean Club Championship—the region’s qualifying tournament to the CONCACAF Champions League and CONCACAF League.
North East Stars and Connection, PL champions and runners-up of last season respectively, are the qualified Trinidad and Tobago teams to represent at the 2019 Caribbean Club Championship.
Police, in 1991, finished runners-up behind champions Club Puebla of Mexico in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup—the old version of the current CONCACAF Champions League. Hood, a former Police player, had no part in that tournament with his playing career spoiled by a broken leg.
Police, this season, can achieve their best domestic finish since the existence of the PL and Hood credits the effort of his players, staff and the support of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
“Credit to our players, most of whom have been together for the last few seasons and have given their best this season,” Hood said. “They (the players) want to achieve something for Police. The staff also want to do well this season, but where we are positioned now couldn’t be possible without the Police Service affording us the time to allow our players to train and recover more like a professional team.”
Hood also heaped praise on striker Kareem “Scooby” Freitas, who has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season. The Police coach said he remains baffled that Freitas, one of the leading front-runners for the Golden Boot, who has been a huge impact on his team’s performances in the league has not been called up to the Trinidad and Tobago national team.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Six
(Friday 9 November)
W Connection vs Morvant Caledonia United, 3:30pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
Police FC vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium
Defence Force FC vs San Juan Jabloteh, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium
Point Fortin Civic vs Central FC, 7pm at Mahaica Oval
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North East Stars suspended from Pro League.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
DEFENDING PRO League champions North East Stars have been temporarily suspended from the 2018 season, over their failure to make any payment, from their expected sum of $130,000 for the 2018 season.
Each of the 10 Pro League clubs were mandated to pay that sum, which will assist with the running of the League, particularly costs of referees, match commissioners and the administrative arm.
Interim League chairman Richard Fakoory said yesterday, “They (owner Ryan Nunes and technical director Michael Awai) haven’t paid any money. They haven’t contacted us, like they don’t want to talk to us.
“They did call (media officer Randy Bando on Wednesday) to find out how come we took them off the fixture (list),” Fakoory continued. “He told them to call either me or Julia (Baptiste, the League’s CEO) but they never called.
“Unless they contribute their money or sit down and talk to us, or the Board, then we will facilitate,” Fakoory pointed out.
Stars were due to play Terminix St Ann’s Rangers last Saturday, as well as Club Sando today.
“They’re suspended temporarily anyhow,” said Fakoory.
Asked what may occur if Stars refuse to play for the rest of the season, the League chairman replied, “As of two o’clock (yesterday) afternoon, they haven’t put any money into the account and it doesn’t seem like they’re interested in doing anything, or even talking to us to try to solve the impasse that’s going on.”
On Monday, when reached for a comment, Awai said, “You shouldn’t be talking to me, you should be talking to the Pro League. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know what’s going on.”
Fakoory admitted, “They haven’t been up to par. Even their behaviour from the beginning (of the season) hasn’t been professional. They haven’t acted as a professional club.
“I’m acting on (the Board of Directors’) behalf, and the Board decision was to suspend them until they pay,” he ended.
In related news, there will be Round Two Match Day action today, with a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo (Police versus Rangers and Defence Force versus San Juan Jabloteh from 6 pm), and a game apiece at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella (W Connection versus Morvant Caledonia United from 3.30 pm) and the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin (Point Fortin Civic versus Central FC from 7 pm).
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Board to decide North East future.
By Walter Alibey (Newsday).
The Board of Directors of the T&T Pro League is expected to meet soon to determine the future of defending champions North East Stars, following its suspension for the past week.
Interim Chairman of the League Richard Fakoory said his members are desirous of finding a solution to ensure the easterners are actively involved in the league once again, but the silence from its Technical Director Michael Awai has been deafening.
The Stars' name was officially taken off the fixture of matches for its failure to honour its financial obligations to the League, Fakoory said. The T&T Pro League boss told Guardian Media Sports the club, which is owned by business Ryan Nunes has failed to pay a $130, 000 registration fee which was set to help with the overall running of the tournament.
This fee, as well as the payment of other clubs, are being used to offset major expenses such as costs of referees, match commissioners and league administration. Fakoory said the club has also failed to complete its registration and has not abided by the rules and regulations of the League, by providing teamsheets that exceed the number of players on it, for matches.
For example, at one time the Stars' team list had 11 starters and as many substitutes, and in other cases it including unregistered players on it.
"It seems as though the team was just doing what it wants," Fakoory said. According to the Terminix St Ann's Rangers chief, the sad thing is that the club has not been in communication with us. "They do not attend meetings and do not respond to calls."
Contacted Awai said he had no comment and directed all concerns to Fakoory, the pro league chairman.
Only this week the League made a desperate attempt to reach out to the Stars by requesting its attendance at a meeting of the Board on Divali day. However, this meeting had to be cancelled as no one from North East responded to the invitation.
As a shareholder, the Stars cannot be thrown out of the League, but it appears there will be no football for the hundreds of young players the club caters for until an official request for a meeting is made with the Board. "We want this situation to be resolved but we will not be hounding them down to do so," Fakoory said.
It is understood the Stars have been disgruntled over monies owed to them from its triumph in the League last year.
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Central, Police within striking distance of Connection after late Ross Russell Jr strike snaps the “Savonetta Boys” undefeated run
T&T Pro League Media
W Connection’s Pro League title tilt hit a fifth consecutive bump on Friday after the 10-men Stuart Charles Fevrier-coached leaders were edged 1-0 late by Morvant Caledonia United, allowing Central FC and Police FC to close in three points behind with just three games left.
Ex-Defence Force star Ross Russell Jr. celebrated his first goal in Morvant Caledonia colours when he buried an Aikim Andrews rebound past goalkeeper Connection custodian Julani Archibald two minutes from time to eke out the narrow win, snapping the “Savonetta Boys”’ undefeated campaign to earn Jerry Moe’s side a fifth win from their last six outings.
Fevrier’s countryman and Connection assistant coach Earl Jean afterwards took a dig at referee Rashby Mc Phie’s performance which included the sending off of utility player Alvin Jones, saying the “Savonetta Boys” usually gets a “hard time” from the veteran official.
Jones was carded seventeen minutes into both halves, receiving an automatic red for a challenge on Andrews as Mc Phie reminded players, “This is not rugby.”
Jean also condemned his players’ disappointing performances in front of goal for Connection’s current rot of five consecutive games without a win but remains optimistic of his side’s ability to complete an unprecedented sixth league title since the turn of the professional era in 1999.
“The last [few] games have been difficult,” Jean conceded. “[…] we haven’t been scoring our goals and that’s the main problem about it. [But] I think the league is still in our hands, we have three games and they are three games we have to win. If we take our chances we will win those games.”
Central (27 points) later defeated hosts Point Fortin Civic 3-0 courtesy a double from forward Russel Alfred (73 & 84) and a deadlock-breaking item from defender Jared London (69) at Mahaica Oval to hurdle Police for second place with a better goal difference after the “Lawmen” were held to a 2-2 draw by minnows Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers in the first game of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Police failed to pile the pressure on Connection (30 points) as a win against the bottom-placed Rangers would have positioned coach Richard Hood’s men just a point adrift of the leaders before the league resumes on the weekend of Nov. 23-24 following the international break (Nov. 12-20).
Jameel Perry’s (32 & 41) first-half brace proved not enough for Police after an own goal credited to goalkeeper Adrian Foncette sliced the Rangers’ deficit in stoppage time of the first half before Nicholai Orr (64), with his first top-flight goal, tied the game for Dave “Hog Head” Quamina’s men.
Hashim Arcia (6 & 88) later scored Defence Force FC’s opening and closing items, separated by Adrian Welch (26) first goal for the “Tetron Boys” in a 3-0 win over San Juan Jabloteh in the second game at the Mucurapo Road venue.
The result lifted Defence Force two spots into fourth, but tied on 24 points with Morvant Caledonia, a side unbeaten in their last seven outings, and Club Sando—all three preserving their mathematical chance of challenging for a CONCACAF qualifying spot which goes to the top-two Pro League finishers.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Six
(Friday 9 November)
W Connection 0 vs Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Ross Russell Jr. 88’), at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
Police FC 2 (Jameel Perry 32’, 41) vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Own Goal [Adrian Foncette] 45’+3, Nicholai Orr 64’), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Defence Force FC 3 (Hashim Arcia 6’, 88’, Adrian Welch 26’) vs San Juan Jabloteh 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic 0 vs Central FC 3 (Jared London 69’, Russel Alfred 73’,84), at Mahaica Oval.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 15 8 6 1 30 7 23 30
2 Central FC 15 8 3 4 35 22 13 27
3 Police FC 15 8 3 4 30 18 12 27
4 Defence Force FC 14 7 3 4 31 16 15 24
5 Morvant Caledonia Utd 15 6 6 3 29 18 11 24
6 Club Sando 14 7 3 4 29 21 8 24
7 San Juan Jabloteh 15 7 2 6 21 20 1 23
8 Point Fortin Civic 15 2 2 11 16 35 -19 8
9 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 14 2 1 11 8 50 -42 7
10 North East Stars 12 1 3 8 11 33 -22 6
Teams at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on Friday
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard (24.Isaiah Hudson 75th minute), 7.Jomal Williams (99.Marcus Joseph 30th minute), 16.Alvin Jones, 17.Neil Benjamin Jr., 23.Kennedy Hinkson, 26.Isaiah Garcia, 27.Kierron Mason (9.Kadeem Corbin 54th minute).
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 8.Jameel Antoine, 11.Adan Noel, 15.Otev Lawrence.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 8.Ross Russell Jr., 9.Sedale Mc Lean (19.Renaldo Francois 69th minute), 10.Sheldon Holder (Capt.) (13.Saydrel Lewis 82nd minute), 11.Quincy Ballah (3.Richard Williams 90th minute), 12.Kareem Joseph, 14.Melvin Doxilly, 17.Kerry Daniel, 20.Keron Cummings, 21.Keion Goodridge, 29.Aikim Andrews.
Unused substitutes: 5.Joshua Sylvester, 24.Osei Charles, 25.Joshua Martin, 28.Jomokie Sandy.
Coach: Jerry Moe
Match Officials
Referee: Rashby Mc Phie
Assistant Referee 1: Noel Moore
Assistant Referee 2: John Barkley
Fourth Official: Dennis Changiah
Match Commissioner: Lennox “Bullet” Pilgrim
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A bunch of clowns running this league.
All requirements should have been met before the league even stared in the first place.
Pay as you go crap, you must run into this problem.
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WATCH: T&T Pro League Highlights: Police FC 2-2 St. Ann's Rangers; Defence Force 3-0 San Juan Jabloteh
https://www.youtube.com/v/YMazXwhWwiA
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North East Stars’ suspension lifted.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
AFTER being suspended for two round of matches, North East Stars, the defending Pro League champions, have been cleared to return to league action on Sunday when they face Police in a round two match day seven fixture. This game will take place at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima from 3 pm.
This will be the first time that Stars will be on the field of play, since they were temporarily suspended earlier this month for non-payment of their $130,000 registration fee.
Interim league chairman Richard Fakoory confirmed he held a fruitful meeting with North East Stars owner Ryan Nunes at the TT Olympic Committee office in Port of Spain yesterday morning.
“He gave a commitment and I appreciate that,” said Fakoory.
According to Fakoory, “It’s a verbal agreement, but they will do it. I’m confident Ryan Nunes is a man of his word and I think he will.
“He said he will pay, so it had nothing to do with last year’s (lack of prize) money. He understands the position of the league.”
In an earlier interview, Fakoory revealed the North East Stars’ management, responding to a letter issued by the league, expressed their disappointment over the non-payment of prize money for last year’s league success, even though no cash rewards were on offer.
“They’re playing in the league, they’re playing in the Pro Bowl, they resolved their issues,” said Fakoory.
The $130,000 sum, which is paid by all 10 participating Pro League clubs, will go towards the running of the league – particularly costs of referees, match commissioners and the administrative arm.
Asked about the terms agreed by North East Stars to pay the fee, Fakoory responded, “They’ve made arrangements to pay, like all the other clubs. I’m not sure if they’ll pay all one time or how it’s going to be done, but they made a commitment, they’re going to be paying the league. I’m comfortable they will.”
Michael Awai, technical director of North East Stars, was unaware of his team’s impending return to fold.
When contacted yesterday, Awai said, “We aint get any fixtures yet. (When) we get the fixtures then I’ll respond to you.”
Asked if he knew about the club resolving their issues with the league, Awai replied, “(I) don’t know. You’ll have to talk to the Pro League.”
Was it an uncomfortable feeling for the league, as it faced a major issue with the 2017 title-holders?
According to Fakoory, “I don’t know how they looked at it, but I didn’t think we looked at it that way, for any decisions to be made.
“Not because they’re the defending champions, they could get a (bligh) over any other club and be delinquent. It doesn’t work that way. I’m the acting chairman (but) if my club (St Ann's Rangers) is delinquent or short, they’ll face the penalty. If the Board decides to punish them, then so be it for my club.”
The League will resume on Friday from the two-week international break with a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Central FC will face Terminix St Ann’s Rangers at 6 pm, followed by the clash between San Juan Jabloteh and Morvant Caledonia United.
There will also be a pair of games on Sunday, at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Club Sando will oppose Defence Force at 4 pm, and leaders W Connection will square off against Point Fortin Civic.
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Central can pile the pressure on Connection’s Pro League title tilt
T&T Pro League Media
Pro League leaders W Connection will resume their 2018 title tilt against Point Fortin Civic in the second game of a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium on Sunday.
But second-positioned Central FC (27 points) can first pile the pressure on Couva rivals Connection (30 points) when the “Couva Sharks” take on minnows Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers from 6pm on Friday in the opening match of a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Crosstown rivals San Juan Jabloteh and Morvant Caledonia United, a side undefeated in their last seven outings, will tackle each other in the second game at the Mucurapo venue from 8pm.
A win for the Stern John-coached Central can improve the three-time former champions’ chances of a fourth league title and for a CONCACAF qualifier spot – Caribbean Club Championship – with a top-two finish domestically.
Police FC are tied on 27 points with Central with only a +1 goal-difference separating both teams and the “Lawmen” must travel to Larry Gomes Stadium from 3pm on Sunday against cellar-placed North East Stars before facing Morvant Caledonia United and Central FC in their final two matches.
Defence Force FC, Morvant Caledonia and Club Sando are all on 24 points in fourth, fifth and sixth positions respectively and within a mathematical chance of a top-two finish as the competition stretches deep down the ladder.
As for leaders Connection, a side once boasting a seven-point lead, the “Savonetta Boys” have dug themselves a hole with five straight winless outings, including their first league defeat of the campaign by way of a late 0-1 loss against Morvant Caledonia last time out.
That result saw Central join Police three points adrift of the leaders, Connection, who must now end their rot against Civic from 6pm on Sunday at the Couva venue before tackling San Juan Jabloteh and North East Stars in their final two league outings.
“The last [few] games have been difficult,” W Connection assistant coach Earl Jean conceded after his team’s loss against Morvant Caledonia. “[…] we haven’t been scoring our goals and that’s the main problem about it. [But] I think the league is still in our hands, we have three games and they are three games we have to win. If we take our chances we will win those games.”
Also on Sunday, Sando and Defence Force, two teams boasting loads of talent, will lock horns from 4pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
See the remaining Pro League 2018 match-ups and current standings below
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Seven
(Friday 23 November)
Central FC vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh vs Morvant Caledonia United, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
(Sunday 25 November)
Club Sando vs Defence Force FC, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection vs Point Fortin Civic, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
North East Stars vs Police FC, 3pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Round Two Match Day Eight
(Dates, venues and times to be confirmed)
Club Sando vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers
Morvant Caledonia United vs Police FC
San Juan Jabloteh vs W Connection
Central FC vs Defence Force FC
North East Stars vs Point Fortin Civic
Round Two Match Day Nine
W Connection vs North East Stars
Point Fortin Civic vs Defence Force FC
Morvant Caledonia United vs Club Sando
Central FC vs Police FC
San Juan Jabloteh vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 15 8 6 1 30 7 23 30
2 Central FC 15 8 3 4 35 22 13 27
3 Police FC 15 8 3 4 30 18 12 27
4 Defence Force FC 14 7 3 4 31 16 15 24
5 Morvant Caledonia Utd 15 6 6 3 29 18 11 24
6 Club Sando 14 7 3 4 29 21 8 24
7 San Juan Jabloteh 15 7 2 6 21 20 1 23
8 Point Fortin Civic 15 2 2 11 16 35 -19 8
9 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 14 2 1 11 8 50 -42 7
10 North East Stars 12 1 3 8 11 33 -22 6
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Central hold off resilient Rangers to join Connection at summit as Pro League title race reaches boiling point
T&T Pro League Media
Three-time former winners Central FC joined Couva rivals W Connection on 30 points at the top of the Pro League 2018 standings after a hard-fought 4-2 win over ninth-positioned Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers in the first game of a Super Friday double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Morvant Caledonia United later jumped two spots to occupy third, intensifying the race for a CONCACAF qualifying spot – a top-two domestic finish – three points adrift of the front two, with a 3-2 win over cross-town rivals San Juan Jabloteh thanks to a hat-trick from Quincy Ballah at the Mucurapo Road venue.
But the “Eastern Stallions”, though undefeated in their last eight outings, are tied on 27 points with Police FC, a side with a chance to take their tally to 30 points on Sunday when they clash with cellar-placed North East Stars from 3pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Akim Armstrong, Jamaican Ewan Grandison, Leston Paul and Duane Muckette all hit the back of the net for Central on a night Rangers had a goal each from Kerry Baptiste and Taje Commissiong, two penalty shouts, a shot off the bar among a number of created chances.
The Central win puts Connection, a side once boasting a seven-point lead, under increased pressure to end a five-game winless rot against Point Fortin Civic from 6pm on Sunday at Ato Boldon Stadium ahead of their last two games against San Juan Jabloteh and North East Stars.
Connection maintains lead by a superior +23 goal difference, eight more than Central, the Stern John-coached side that must face Defence Force FC and Police in their last two games.
Armstrong converted from the spot, hitting past the outstretched frame of Jabari St. Hillaire for his 12th league goal of the season to occupy second with Police FC’s Kareem Freitas in the race for the Golden Boot behind in-form Club Sando winger Tyrone Charles (13 goals), to put the “Couva Sharks” in front on 22 minutes after Leston Paul was bundled over in the area by Xae-Pierre Defou.
Grandison then made it 2-0 on the half hour after a strong run forward and link up with Paul to hit past Hillare.
Kerry Baptiste sliced the Rangers deficit three minutes later with a solid finish past Marvin Phillip but the veteran striker flared up an earlier injury in the process and had to be replaced soon afterwards.
It was not until the 75th minute that Paul, a two-time former Trinidad and Tobago youth World Cup captain, restored Central’s two-goal lead 3-1 following a solo effort.
But once more Rangers trimmed the lead with Taje Commissiong smashing a left footer past Phillip two minutes later to show teammate Chadley David how to find the back of the net after setting up the defender-cum-midfielder for a simple finish moments earlier. David had failed to connection to the left-back’s low feed at the back post.
Kishon Hackshaw, who was denied by the bar and Phillip in the first half, struck overbar on a wonderful chance a minute into the second half as Rangers were left to rue missed chances.
Muckette was also denied by the bar, but the Central attacker redeemed himself by rounding St. Hillaire to complete the 4-2 win a minute from time after latching onto a deep feed into the Rangers area.
Later, it took the Jerry Moe-coached Morvant Caledonia just one minute to take the lead against Jabloteh when eventual hat-trick hero Ballah turned in rebound from close up after goalkeeper Christopher Biggette kept out an attempt from Keron Cummings.
Ballah pounced again on 18 minutes, lashing in a penalty rebound to cushion Morvant Caledonia 2-0 after Biggette had matched Kerry Daniel’s effort from the spot. The diminutive attacker completed his first professional hat-trick by the 67th minute to restore the “Eastern Stallions”’ two-goal cushion after Jabloteh substitute Nickel Orr, just three minutes onto the pitch, celebrated his first top-flight goal on his first touch in the 62nd minute.
Another substitute Darren “Chucky” Mitchell struck again for Jabloteh in stoppage-time with a powerfully struck effort to beat Terrence Lewis at his first post to make it 2-3, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the “San Juan Kings” a fifth loss from their last six outings.
Club Sando and Defence Force, two sides on 24 points, could climb above Morvant Caledonia when they face each other from 4pm on Sunday in the first game of the double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Seven results
(Friday 23 November)
Central FC 4 (Akim Armstrong 22’, Ewan Grandison 30’, Leston Paul 75’, Duane Muckette 89’) vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Kerry Baptiste 33’, Taje Commissiong 77’), at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Nickel Orr 62’, Darren Mitchell 90’+2) vs Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Quincy Ballah 1’, 18’, 67’), at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Upcoming fixtures
Round Two Match Day Seven
(Sunday 25 November)
Club Sando vs Defence Force FC, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection vs Point Fortin Civic, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
North East Stars vs Police FC, 3pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Round Two Match Day Eight
(Dates, venues and times to be confirmed)
Club Sando vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers
Morvant Caledonia United vs Police FC
San Juan Jabloteh vs W Connection
Central FC vs Defence Force FC
North East Stars vs Point Fortin Civic
Round Two Match Day Nine
(Dates, venues and times to be confirmed)
W Connection vs North East Stars
Point Fortin Civic vs Defence Force FC
Morvant Caledonia United vs Club Sando
Central FC vs Police FC
San Juan Jabloteh vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 15 8 6 1 30 7 23 30
2 Central FC 16 9 3 4 39 24 15 30
3 Morvant Caledonia Utd 16 7 6 3 32 20 12 27
4 Police FC 15 8 3 4 30 18 12 27
5 Defence Force FC 14 7 3 4 31 16 15 24
6 Club Sando 14 7 3 4 29 21 8 24
7 San Juan Jabloteh 16 7 2 7 23 23 0 23
8 Point Fortin Civic 15 2 2 11 16 35 -19 8
9 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 15 2 1 12 10 54 -44 7
10 North East Stars 12 1 3 8 11 33 -22 6
Teams at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday
Game 1
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 7.Hakim Baird, 8.Akim Armstrong, 10.Leston Paul, 12.Taryk Sampson, 13.Rhondel Gibson, 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.), 19.Jared London, 24.Duane Muckette, 29.Russel Alfred (11.Xavier Rajpaul 83rd minute).
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 5.Dwight Pope, 9.Tyrik John, 23.Andell Brown, 41.Renaldo Alexander.
Coach: Stern John
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers: 22.Jabari St. Hillaire (GK); 52.Chadley David (55.Alexis Blackwell 73rd minute), 54.Frederick Commissiong, 56.Taje Commissiong, 66.Kerry Baptiste (Capt.) (73.Jeankeon Alexander 37th minute), 67.Anthony Charles, 69.Keyon Edwards, 70.Nicholai Orr (64.Dominic Douglas 68th minute), 71.Kishon Hackshaw, 77.Shaquille Thomas, 78.Xae-Pierre Defou.
Unused substitutes: 4.Lukman Brooks, 58.Cedric Commissiong, 59.Shaquille John, 72.Anthony Kallicharan.
Coach: Dave “Hog Head” Quamina
Match Officials
Referee: Nicholai Nyron
Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Wales
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official: Keilon Bacchus
Match Commissioner: Marcia Williams
Game 2
San Juan Jabloteh: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK); 4.Nical Stephens (11.Darren Mitchell 59th minute), 5.Kevon Villaroel, 8.Jason Marcano, 10.Jomoul Francois (25.Nickel Orr 59th minute), 12.Keron Bethelmy, 17.Sean Bonval, 18.Jevon Morris, 20.Elton John (Capt.), 21.Jamal Creighton, 26.Akeem Benjamin (Josiah Baird 71st minute).
Unused substitutes: 30.Shemel Louison (GK); 15.Dillon Jagessar, 23.Jodel Brown, 24.Kareem Eastman,
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK); 6.Keion Goodridge, 8.Ross Russell Jr., 9.Sedale Mc Lean, 11.Quincy Ballah, 14.Melvin Doxilly, 15.Malik Mieres (24.Osei Charles 84th minute), 17.Kerry Daniel, 19.Renaldo Francois (5.Joshua Sylvester 59th minute), 20.Keron Cummings, 29.Aikim Andrews (25.Joshua Martin 82nd minute).
Unused substitutes: 10.Sheldon Holder, 13.Saydrel Lewis, 21.Shem Clauzel.
Coach: Jerry Moe
Match Officials
Referee: Kwinsi Williams
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard
Assistant Referee 2: Keron Myers
Fourth Official: CJ O’Brien
Match Commissioner: Frank Rodriguez
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Derelict Ojoe Road Ground hurting community.
By Andrew Gioannetti (Newsday).
MP promises relief in 2019.
THE Ojoe Road Recreation Ground has fallen into a dilapidated state, to the detriment of clubs and their supporters, as the venue remains sidelined from use by both the TT Pro League and TT Super League.
The ground has been Sangre Grande's hub for competitive sports and other activities, but in recent years became unplayable.
The situation was described by former Sports Minister Brent Sancho as "absolutely insane" and a "disgrace."
Matura ReUnited, a TT Super League member, has been hopping around venues outside Sangre Grande after being barred by the league from using the Ojoe Road venue. North East Stars of the TT Pro League abandoned the ground, opting to play home matches at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima instead.
Sancho, who was CEO of North East Stars, said while he was Minister of Sport, a Cabinet note for $60 million was approved for the upgrade of three venues: Ojoe Road Recreation Ground, Ato Boldon Stadium and Irwin Park.
He said when government last changed, however, the funds were used for other projects.
"Since at North East Stars, we had gotten Cabinet approval to build a facility there and from what I understood, what transpired is, with the change of government, they took the funds for Ojoe Road. They re-appropriated the money...which of course was at the detriment of teams in the Sangre Grande area," Sancho said.
The World Cup 2006 defender also described the lack of suitable facilities as "an injustice to people in the area, particularly with the types of sports persons we've produced over the years coming from that region.
"When you look at the type of footballers, cricketers, that come out of the area – track, basketball, etcetera – and coupled with...the amount of usage that Ojoe Road was getting, even when it wasn't properly put together...it is insane that between Matelot and Valencia, the only (suitable) playing facility is in Larry Gomes [Stadium]."
Sancho said when he joined the club, under the ownership of businessman Darryl Mahabir in 2008, the latter made laudable efforts using personal funds to make the venue adequate for top-tier football.
"He spend a lot of his own money trying to upgrade the field, but he was never supported by the corporation at the time. But they didn't have a proper management facility overseeing it, so every Tom, Dick and Harry was using the field. He redid the stands, he redid the field, he tried everything."
Sancho said he sought a temporary solution in 2015 with a partial upgrade of the Matura Recreation Ground, partially for the use of current Super League team Matura ReUnited.
"They got their lights, we resurfaced it a bit, but it was just a temporary hold until the Ojoe Road Sporting Facility was going to be finished, because we were going to join it with the basketball facility there."
The last major work done, he said, was in May, 2015, "where we installed lights and we resurfaced the ground. As far as I understand, since then nothing has been done."
Matura ReUnited tried to secure the use of the ground this season but was denied by the TT Super League.
President of the league Keith Look Loy,described its condition as that of a potato patch.
"Honestly, it's horrible," he said. "The problem is that it is a public ground and that it was woefully inadequate, the surface was horrible. It just wasn't suitable for a Super League venue...
"We tried to assist. We actually gave them three opportunities to have that Ojoe Road Ground inspected. They were doing work and it was never up to scratch.
"Then we got them assistance to get into Valencia High School, which has a pretty good ground on a dry day, but when it rains, it's a swamp. They played a couple matches there and they've been bouncing over the place."
GRANDE MP: OJOE GROUND READY IN 2019
MP for Sangre Grande Glenda Jennings-Smith, responding to concerns about the lack of sporting facilities for the north-eastern community, said while the facility falls under the purview of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, she has taken a personal interest in ensuring the venue will be ready for use for Matura ReUnited for the start of the 2019 TT Super League season.
Jennings-Smith also noted that repairs to the basketball court at the nearby North East Regional Multi-purpose Facility, also located on Ojoe Road, is currently being addressed.
"I have been trying through the Sports Company to have them [look at the Ojoe Road Recreation Ground] and they have been looking at the possibility of incorporating that ground to do remedial work.
"I have been in communication with the chairman of the regional corporation, Mr (Terry) Rondon, and he appraised me of all the remedial work that was done. They did some remedial work on the stands itself and the toilet facilities... And I believe with this next fiscal [post-budget] year, there is funding for the continuation of that particular ground in Sangre Grande.
"It doesn't come under the remit of the Sports Company or the Ministry of Sport. Only if they want to engage in a particular upgrade that they will engage them. But as I said, that conversation will continue with the regional corporation."
Jennings-Smith said she is keen to see Matura ReUnited adopt Ojoe Road as their home ground.
"I am aware Matura's standing in the league and their success over the past months. Ojoe Road is being prepared for that [start of next season]. I actually brought that to the attention of the chairman and he assured me that it should be [ready] for the next season.
Jennings-Smith also addressed the issue of the North East Regional Multi-purpose Facility, which was constructed with uneven flooring. The facility was built by Shanghai Construction Limited and opened in 2016, but was quickly condemned by basketball leagues and individual clubs.
"With respect to that facility, yes I was there for the handing over and a match was played. But soon after, they discovered that the ground for the basketball court was uneven and then there was a flood where some underground water affected the ground for basketball where it's vinyl they have on the ground.
"I visited the facility myself afterwards and I was made aware of the issues," she said. "...what has happened is that the contract with the contractors came to an end. So the Ministry of Sport has now stepped in and, as a matter of fact, it is down for repairs this fiscal [year] and the place is now determined a construction site and remedial works to repair or replace that entire basketball floor is due to take place in the first quarter of this fiscal year."
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WATCH: A beaver trick from Marcus Joseph spearheaded W Connection's 8-0 hammering of Point Fortin Civic FC
https://www.youtube.com/v/3E-pQxdSCuc
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Joseph blasts four as Civic demolished 8-0.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
MARCUS JOSEPH continued his quest to claim the Golden Boot, as he netted four times in W Connection's 8-0 trouncing of Point Fortin Civic in the second game of a Pro League double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Sunday evening.
The result saw the league leaders end their five-game winless run. Also, Joseph reclaimed the top spot in the season's goal-scoring chart with 15 – two more than Club Sando's Tyrone Charles.
Connection sit atop the 10-team standings with 33 points, three ahead of Police who brushed aside North East Stars 5-1 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima earlier on Sunday.
Joseph got things going with two early items, in the eighth and 13th minutes, and completed his treble in the 37th when he ran onto a long ball from right-back Isaiah Garcia and lobbed the advancing goalkeeper Ishmael Salaam.
Kadeem Corbin got his name on the scoresheet in the 43rd, as he collected a pass from left-back Kurt Frederick and neatly placed his shot beyond the reach of Salaam.
Point Fortin coach Reynold Carrington introduced the Garcia brothers Nathaniel and Judah at the start of the second half, but that move had little effect as Connection continued to pile on the pressure.
Two minutes after the resumption, Jomal Williams, racing at goal from the left, was taken down inside the penalty box by Salaam, leaving referee Joel Cox with no option but to point to the spot.
Defender Triston Hodge's kick was parried by Salaam and Hodge calmly slotted home the rebound.
In the 55th, Corbin notched his second when he tapped home from close range, after Williams dummied a ball from the right by Garcia.
Another ball from the right resulted in a Connection goal, as Williams met a pass from Neil Benjamin and finished from inside the six-yard box.
Two minutes later (72nd), Joseph ended the goal-scoring bombardment with a low right-footed effort past the right of an outstretched Salaam.
At Arima, North East Stars, back in the fray after missing two games due to issues regarding payment of their registration fee, took a 13th minute lead courtesy Shakqeem Joseph.
But the lawmen responded in emphatic style, with two goals apiece from the Perry brothers Kareem (18th and 35th minute penalties) and Jameel (25th and 49th). Michael Hyacenth put the icing on the cake with a strike in the 66th.
In the first of back-to-back games in Couva, Club Sando defeated Defence Force 1-0 with Nicholas Thomas finding the back of the net in the 58th.
On Friday, in a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Central FC whipped Terminix St Ann’s Rangers 4-2 and Morvant Caledonia United edged San Juan Jabloteh 3-2.
Round two match day eight fixtures:
Today – North East Stars vs Point Fortin Civic, Larry Gomes Stadium, 3.30 pm.
Tomorrow – Morvant Caledonia United vs Police; San Juan Jabloteh vs W Connection, Hasely Crawford Stadium; Club Sando vs St Ann's Rangers; Central FC vs Defence Force, Ato Boldon Stadium, 6 pm & 8 pm.
RELATED NEWS
Joseph fires W Connection with beaver-trick.
By Nigel Simon (Guardian).
T&T international Marcus Joseph fired in a beaver-trick as T&T Pro League leaders W Connection ended a five-match winless streak in style, drubbing Pt Fortin Civic 8-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Sunday night.
With its once healthy seven points lead at the top of the ten-team trimmed to a goal-difference advantage over three-time former champions Central FC on Friday, the pressure was on the ‘Savonetta Boys”, five-time champions but not since the 2013-2014 season to pick up maximum points against Civic with only two rounds of matches left to complete the season.
Joseph, who has been plagued by injuries in recent weeks, wasted little time in giving his team a much needed early cushion when he scored in the eighth and 13th minutes to put Civic under early pressure.
Eight minutes before the interval, Joseph completed his hat-trick while ex-national Under-20 star striker Kadeem Corbin made certain Civic had no way back in the match with a 43rd-minute goal for a 4-0 lead at the half-time whistle.
Two minutes into the second-half another T&T international, Tristan Hodge extended the lead to 5-0 before Corbin grabbed a second in the 56th, followed by an item from national midfielder Jomal
Williams in the 70th, before Joseph completed his beaver-trick in the 72nd minute with his league-best 15th goal of the season to the delight of his coaching staff and team-mates
The win puts W Connection, on 33 points from 16 matches, three ahead of Police FC and Central FC while Morvant Caledonia United and Club Sando, are fourth and fifth respectively with 27 points and are the two other teams still in the hunt for the league crown as well as a top-two finish to qualify for the Concacaf Champions League.
In the early match at Ato Boldon Stadium on Sunday, Nicholas Thomas scored in the 58th minute to earn Club Sando a 1-0 win over Defence Force, leaving the latter on 24 points and a danger of missing out on a top two spot.
Up at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, strikers Kareem Freitas and Jameel Perry scored two goals each in Police FC’s 5-1 spanking of North East Stars.
NE Stars actually went ahead in the contest in the 13th minute via Shakqueem Joseph, but the Lawmen then pressed on the gas with Freitas scoring in the 18th minute from the penalty-spot while Perry netted in the 25th to put his team 2-1 ahead.
Freitas made it 3-1 in the 35th with another penalty for his 14th item of the campaign, while Perry got his second in the 49th, and Michael Hyacinth the other in the 66th.
Friday Results
Central FC 4 (Akim Armstrong 22’, Ewan Grandison 30’, Leston Paul 75’, Duane Muckette 89’) vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Kerry Baptiste 33’, Taje Commissiong 77’)
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Nickel Orr 62’, Darren Mitchell 90’+2) vs Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Quincy Ballah 1’, 18’, 67’)
Police FC 5 (Kareem Freitas 18th pen, 35th pen, Jameel Perry 25th, 49th, Michael Hyacinth 66th) vs North East Stars 1 (Shakqueem Joseph 13th)
Club Sando 1 (Nicholas Thomas 58th) vs Defence Force 0
W Connection 8 (Marcus Joseph 8th, 13th, 37th, 72nd, Kadeem Corbin 43rd, 56th, Tristan Hodge 47th, Jomal Williams 70th)
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Police FC look for Pro League ‘miracle’
By Ryan Hamilton-Davis (T&T Newsday)
DESPITE being just three points away from the top of the TT Pro League standings, Police FC coach Richard Hood said it would take a “miracle” to win the league with two games left.
“For us to win the league, W Connection would either have to lose their last two games or come out with at least a draw and a loss – and I don’t see that happening,” Hood said on Monday.
Police FC are second in the league standings with 30 points, while W Connection lead the table with 33. Hood said that although the deficit between first and second is just one win away from being erased, their fate is not in their hands and he does not see the stars aligning for them to clinch their first ever league title.
W Connection are set to play mid-table San Juan Jabloteh today and Hood said he is expecting a good performance from Jabloteh – a performance that may even lead the team to victory. But he noted that the league leaders should have no problem against the struggling St Ann’s Rangers in their final fixture. The Rangers are second to last on the league table with 12 losses from their 15 games this season and a mere seven points.
“If that game (against Jabloteh) goes our way (and W Connection lose), we will be very happy. The next game (vs Rangers) will be a problem, because even if they lose that (Jabloteh) game (and beat Rangers) and we win our next two games that would leave us with the same points and they have a superior goal difference.”
According to the league standings, W Connection have scored 38 goals, and were scored on seven times, while Police FC have scored 35 goals this season, and conceded 19 goals.
Hood said rather than hoping for a result they have no control over, he and Police FC are now looking to have a strong finish to the league, and end the year in one of the top two positions on the table which guarantees a spot in the CFU Club Championships.
“Our focus is on trying to finish in that second place position,” Hood said. “That means we have to do it ourselves. We cannot rely on anyone else. We are going to go into those next two games with the intentions of gaining victories.”
Police FC are expected to face Morvant Caledonia on Wednesday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, and after they will clash with Central FC.
Hood told Newsday that they played Caledonia twice this year. In one occasion they lost against Caledonia as they competed for the First Citizens’ Cup, and in another they drew 1-1 during their match-up in the Pro League. Hood said although they face stiff competition, he believes they have what it takes to come out victorious.
“The game depends on us being able to execute our offensive and defensive plans. They (Caledonia) are a solid team with a lot of strengths but there are weaknesses that can be exploited and hopefully we can exploit them.” Hood said.
STANDINGS
Teams*P*W*D*L*F*A*Pts
W Connection*16*9*6*1*38*7*33
Police*16*9*3*4*35*19*30
Central FC*16*9*3*4*39*24*30
Morvant Caledonia*16*7*6*3*32*20*27
Club Sando*15*8*3*4*30*21*27
Defence Force*15*7*3*5*31*17*24
San Juan Jabloteh*16*7*2*7*23*23*23
Point Fortin Civic*16*2*2*12*16*43*8
St Ann’s Rangers*15*2*1*12*10*54*7
North East Stars*13*1*3*9*12*38*6
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WATCH: A 3-1 defeat at the hands of Point Fortin Civic FC keeps North East Stars rooted to the bottom of the T&T Pro League table
https://www.youtube.com/v/UaowUQn-hMg
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WATCH: T&T Pro League Round 2 Matchday #8 Highlights (Club Sando 8-0 St. Ann's Rangers, Central FC 2-1 Defence Force, San Juan Jabloteh 1-1 W Connection, Morvant Caledonia United 1-2 Police FC)
https://www.youtube.com/v/_7iWeZOABVQ
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Rangers standing in W Connection title path.
T&T Guardian Reports.
W Connection bid for a sixth T&T Pro League title and first since the 2013-2014 campaign was slowed on Wednesday night after a 1-1 draw with former champions, San Juan Jabloteh at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
With joint second placed Police FC edging Morvant Caledonia United 2-1 in the night’s opener at the same venue to join the leaders on 33 points, the pressure was on the ‘Savonetta Boys’ to get a win to go into their final matchday encounter with Terminix St Ann’s Rangers, needing only a draw to be declared champions.
However, the opening goal for the W Connection against a stubborn Jabloteh didn’t’ come until the 65th-minute courtesy Neil Benjamin Jr.
But the league leaders’ joy was short-lived as Jabloteh hit back two minutes later thanks to Nickel Orr to even up the match at 1-1 after which both teams failed to find the winner.
With one round of matches left for the top three teams, W Connection heads the table with 34 points from 17 matches, one ahead of Police FC and three-time winners, Central FC.
The "Lawmen" led from as early as the fourth minute via Kareem Freitas. Fellow striker Jameel Perry doubled the advantage in the 62nd before Keion Goodridge netted a 90th-minute consolation for Morvant Caledonia United which stayed on 27 points and out of the race for a top-two finish. This will guarantee Concacaf Champions League qualifying football in the Caribbean Football Union competition.
Down at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, national midfielder Duane Muckette decisive strike in the 75th minute secured a 2-1 win for Central FC over Defence Force to stay in the chase for a fourth Pro League title in five years.
Akim Armstrong had given Central FC the lead in the fourth minute, but Rodell Elcock got Defence Force on level terms on the stroke of half-time, before Muckette’s winner.
And in the night’s other encounter at Couva, Shackiel Henry scored a second-half hat-trick as Club Sando routed St Ann’s Rangers 8-0 to move solely into the fourth spot with 30 points and two matches left to play.
Henry got his goals in the 61st, 68th and 90th while Akeem Humphrey (18th & 76th) and Keron Cornwall (80th & 82nd) banged in doubles, and Tyrone Charles, the other four minutes into time added one.
With last year’s league champions North East Stars being suspended for two out its matches due to financial problems, the league has taken a decision to reschedule their outstanding matches against Club Sando and Defence Force prior to the final match day for all teams while a decision was made to award St Ann’s Rangers a 3-0 default win over Stars for a called off encounter.
However, when the final round of matches do kick off, W Connection will be heavily fancied to complete its title chase as it faces cellar-placed North East Stars; while Central FC and Police clash; and Morvant Caledonia United meet Club Sando.
And in the other matches. Pt Fortin Civic comes up against Defence Force FC while Jabloteh faces Rangers.
Wednesday’s Results
Central FC 2 (Akim Armstrong 15th, Duane Muckette 75th) vs Defence Force 1 (Rodell Elcock 45th)
Club Sando 8 (Shackiel Henry 61st, 68th, 90th, Akeem Humphrey 18th, 76th, Keron Cornwall 80th, 82nd, Tyrone Charles 94th) vs St Ann’s Rangers 0
San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Nickel Orr 67th) vs W Connection 1 (Neil Benjamin Jr 65th)
Police FC 2 (Kareem Freitas 4th, Jameel Perry 62nd) vs Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Keion Goodridge 90th)
RELATED NEWS
Pro League goes down to the wire
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
At least three teams in contention on final day
THE 2018 Pro League will be decided on the final day of action on December 5, with W Connection, Police, Central FC and Club Sando all in the title hunt.
After 17 matches, W Connection have a tally of 34 points, followed by Police and Central FC with 33 apiece. Club Sando, who have a game in hand against 2017 league winners North East Stars tomorrow at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva from 5 pm, are on 30 points.
W Connection’s final match will be against North East, but Police and Central FC are set to square off against each other in their last league fixture.
Also, on the final day programme, Club Sando will meet Morvant Caledonia United and Terminix St Ann’s Rangers will face San Juan Jabloteh.
On Wednesday, five-time league kings Connection dropped two crucial points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Jabloteh, in the second of back-to-back matches at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
In the earlier game at Mucurapo, Police beat Morvant Caledonia United 2-1, and three-time champions Central edged Defence Force by a similar margin, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
Connection needed a win to maintain the three-point gap between themselves and their nearest rivals, Police and Central.
But the Stuart Charles Fevrier-coached outfit struggled to break down a disciplined Jabloteh squad.
Connection winger Neil Benjamin struck the post in the 17th minute, after goalkeeper Christopher Bigette parried a long-range shot from Kadeem Corbin.
Six minutes before the half-time interval, in-form striker Marcus Joseph met a corner from Jomal Williams, but his header went inches over the bar.
Connection changed gears in the second half, and bombarded the Jabloteh defence with a series of attacks.
Williams went close with a right-footed effort in the 48th; Corbin poked wide of the mark after collecting a pass from Joseph in the 53rd, and followed up with a scissor-kick attempt overbar in the 55th.
Joseph’s header, from a cross by left-back Kurt Frederick, missed the target by inches.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd, as Frederick raced down the left and sent a ball which was missed by Joseph, but Benjamin was on hand to hit home from close range.
Jabloteh were not intent on leaving the match empty-handed, and national Under-20 midfielder Nickel Orr responded with an equaliser in the 66th, as he waltzed past three defenders (Triston Hodge, Frederick and Gerard Williams) before slotting his left-footed shot beyond the reach of goalie Julani Archibald.
Police got goals from Kareem Freitas (fourth) and Jameel Perry (62nd), with Keon Goodridge (90th) responding for Morvant Caledonia United.
Central FC stayed in the race to earn their fourth league crown in five seasons with a hard-fought victory over the Army-Coast Guard combination.
Akim Armstrong put Central ahead in the 15th minute, but Rodell Elcock equalised for Defence Force in the 45th. Duane Muckette got his name on the scoresheet in the 75th to ensure three vital points for Central.
Shackiel Henry notched a hat-trick as Club Sando hammered Terminix St Ann’s Rangers 8-0 in the first match at Couva.
Henry found the back of the net in the 61st, 68th and 90th minutes.
Akeem Humphrey (18th and 76th) and Keron Cornwall (80th and 82nd) each scored twice, and Tyrone Charles completed the rout, in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time.
On Tuesday, Point Fortin Civic registered a 3-1 victory over North East, at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima.
In related news, there will be a rescheduled league fixture today, with Point Fortin hosting Defence Force at the Mahaica Oval from 7 pm.
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WATCH: Club Sando moves to second place in the T&T Pro League standings after a 6-2 hammering of North East Stars
https://www.youtube.com/v/JMJg9T9QZ04
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Earl Jean: Destiny in our hands...W Connection look to win Pro League tomorrow
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
EARL JEAN, assistant coach of Pro League leaders W Connection, has made it clear that his team’s destiny is in their own hands, as they prepare to face North East Stars in their final 2018 league match tomorrow.
It will be a clash of the top and bottom-placed teams, in the second game of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, from 8 pm.
More importantly, Connection – depending on other results – might need a win to secure their sixth Pro League crown, to add to their successes in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2011-12 and 2013-14.
Connection are atop the ten-team standings with 34 points, with Club Sando, Police and Central FC next on 33.
At 6 pm tomorrow, Club Sando will battle Morvant Caledonia United at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in Mucurapo,while Police and Central FC will square off at Couva.
On paper, Connection have the easiest match-up against the struggling outgoing champs.
Jean said in an interview on Tuesday, “We’ve been working tirelessly. We’ve been very, very focused. It’s (a win) on paper but we also dropped points to them in the league.”
Connection and Stars drew 1-1 in their previous league clash on September 22.
Jean, the deputy to veteran coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier, continued, “We’re in the best position, that’s the position you want to be in, at the top of the league. Everything is in our hands so we’re quite contented about that. We would not take anything for granted.
“We have been making solid preparations for North East Stars because they have nothing to lose. I think our players are ready, they’re eager and excited. A lot of them haven’t won the league so it’s an opportunity for them.”
The former St Lucia and Connection striker insisted they do not want to rely on the results from tomorrow’s other key matches.
“For the last two weeks, we have been telling our players (that) we don’t study the other results. The league is in our hands. It has come down to one point so it’s about (us) taking our chances. We know that the teams are competitive, all the games would be tough, but it doesn’t matter.”
Connection have been ahead of the pack for the majority of the season, losing only once – 1-0 to Caledonia on November 11.
However, that defeat followed a dip in form which saw them draw four matches to blow the title race wide open.
Jean blamed that run on the loss of momentum which was caused by the international breaks.
“I know it took out a lot (from) them because at one time we had a very good run and then we started drawing,” Jean admitted. “What we can say for our players is that they put in a lot of effort and we cannot fault them for that.
“We have been very pleased with the way they’ve been working in the games. Our defence has been solid so it’s just to maintain our intensity.”
Connection have the stingiest defence among the 10 teams, having conceded eight goals in 17 matches.
Another crucial part of Connection’s season is the form of striker Marcus Joseph, who has scored 15 times, two more than Club Sando’s Tyrone Charles.
“Marcus (is having) a very good season,” Jean noted. “What happened to Marcus is that (he) got injured during a break and he suffered from that because he took a while to get back. He’s still getting some discomfort (to his knee).
“I know that he wants to win it and he has been playing, but we could still see that he’s down a bit. I’m confident that Marcus will score some goals. So long as our team play to the game-plan, everything would work out. We have to play for each other and not selfish.”
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“Best climax”! Four clubs vie for Pro League crown on final Friday
T&T Pro League Media
W Connection have dropped points but not their confidence in lifting the 2018 Pro League crown on the final day this Friday. And with four teams still with a chance at the title, the “Savonetta Boys” head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier believes it is the best climax to a very competitive season.
Club Sando, Police and Central FC, all one point adrift of the leaders, stand a chance at pipping Connection to the title and a place at the 2020 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship (the region’s qualifier tournament to the CONCACAF Champions League and CONCACAF League) which goes to the top two domestic finishers.
Sando will clash with Morvant Caledonia United from 6pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium followed by San Juan Jabloteh against Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers from 8pm at the Mucurapo Road venue, while at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Central and Police will lock horns from 6pm before Connection takes on last season’s champions North East Stars from 8pm.
“We couldn’t ask for a better climax,” said Fevrier who has full confidence in the ability of his team. “It gives you an idea of how competitive the league has been despite the challenges faced by teams.”
A win, however, for Sando and or Police or Central put them ahead of Connection, forcing the “Savonetta Boys” into a must-win situation against table-proppers North East Stars, a side fresh off their 21st loss of the season in all competitions (22 games)--a 4-1 defeat against Defence Force in a rescheduled league fixture on Wednesday.
Devorn Jorsling scored his 166th and 167th career Pro League goals lift Defence Force in front after Kordell Samuel, with his third goal from as many matches, had put North East Stars ahead at the Hasely Crawford Stadium after just seven minutes.
Jorsling, 34, the all-time Pro League top scorer, scored in the 11th and 28th minutes, his second off a rebound after goalkeeper Javon Sample charged down an effort from Hashim Arcia, before Darius Ollivierra cushioned the “Tetron Boys” 3-1 with a blast from the right off a Jerwyn Balthazar feed three minutes from the half.
Jorsling twice failed to complete his hat-trick in the second half, but substitute Kerry Joseph put the contest out of North East Stars’ reach with a rocket past Sample from the left in the 75th minute to complete the 4-1 win against a side that registered just one win in all competitions this season.
Connection, however, are taking no chances against the side anchored at the bottom of the standings. Fevrier and his Connection staff have been preparing for nothing less than a win against the side they defeated 7-1 in the season-opening Charity Shield on June 1.
North East Stars, less than a shadow of the league-winning team of last season under then coach Derek King, however showed signs of improvement losing just 2-0 fifteen days later against Connection in the group stage of the First Citizens Cup before holding Fevrier’s men to a shock 1-1 draw in the league on September 22.
“It’s a game we must win to be champions on Friday,” said the Connection coach. “It’s a game we have made very good preparations for. We cannot take them (North East Stars) lightly. They held us to a draw the last time and we must give them credit, but on that day we should have had done better having created many chances. We were poor in front of goal. It’s a new game on Friday and we have to be on top of our game.”
A win now for North East Stars against Connection will end Zoran Vranes’ men on high spirits against the side they will join at the 2019 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship as last season’s PL champions and runners-up respectively.
Sando’s ambition to qualify for the Caribbean Club Championship has been boosted by the team’s recent form of five straight wins and a seven-game undefeated run while Police and two-time former Caribbean champions Central are eager to return to CONCACAF status.
Like Fevrier, Sando head coach Angus Eve believes “it speaks volumes for the Pro League that four teams are vying for the title on the final day. He said it’s a great advert for the league that there is some semblance of parity.”
Eve, T&T’s most-capped international, heaped praise on the Ministry of Sport and Minister Shamfa Cudjoe for “seeing the importance of developing young people and keeping them away from the streets”. He said the Ministry’s financial assistance to clubs also helped in levelling the playing field and that two matches ago, seven teams were still in contention for a CONCACAF qualifying spot.
“We (Sando) were aiming for a Caribbean Club Championship spot so it was either first or second,” explained Eve, who said the ambition of the club’s chairman Eddison Dean is to develop young players for the national team and progressing to an international level of competition fits in Sando’s plans.
The Sando coach, on his team’s recent string of performances said winning is a by-product of a number of contributing factors as his team continues in the development of his young team led by experienced forward Tyrone Charles, who current leads the league Golden Boot race with 17 goals, two more than Police FC’s Kareem Freitas and Connection’s Marcus Joseph.
He said adding Cornell Glen as assistant coach proved a masterstroke as the former T&T international and 2006 World Cup forward has been excellent in working with the team’s offence. “We know his exploits as a forward. He was a good goalscorer and sometimes I think he still wants to play. His enthusiasm for the game is passed on to the players.”
Sando scored 25 goals in their last seven outings, more than any other team but Eve is wary of Morvant Caledonia, the team his side had to wrestle a 5-3 win over in September.
Eve will square off on the sidelines with Morvant Caledonia head coach Jerry More for a second time in four days after leading Naparima College to a penalty win over San Juan North Secondary, coached by Moe, in the National Intercol final to complete the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) 2018 treble as Premier Division, South Intercol and National Intercol champions.
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Nine
(Friday 07 December)
Morvant Caledonia United vs Club Sando, 6pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 8pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Central FC vs Police FC, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection vs North East Stars, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 17 9 7 1 39 8 31 34
2 Club Sando 17 10 3 4 44 23 21 33
3 Police FC 17 10 3 4 37 20 17 33
4 Central FC 17 10 3 4 41 25 16 33
5 Defence Force FC 18 9 3 6 38 21 17 30
6 Morvant Caledonia Utd 17 7 6 4 33 22 11 27
7 San Juan Jabloteh 17 7 3 7 24 24 0 24
8 Point Fortin Civic 18 3 2 13 20 46 -26 11
9 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 17 3 1 13 13 62 -49 10
10 North East Stars 17 1 3 13 16 54 -38 6
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WATCH: Defence Force finished the 2018 T&T Pro League season with a 4-1 victory over North East Stars. Prior to the match, the teams observed a minute of silence in honor of Michael McComie who passed away suddenly on Tuesday.
https://www.youtube.com/v/Z4C3n_7UIOw?start=47
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Connection lifts Pro League 2018 crown over Couva rivals Central as Sando and Police crash out of top-two finish on final night
T&T Pro League Media
W Connection, led by a hat-trick from Golden Boot winner Marcus “Lobo” Joseph, clinched the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League 2018 crown—an unprecedented sixth league title since the turn of the professional era in 1999—by a point on the final night yesterday with an cool 4-0 victory over table-proppers North East Stars at Ato Boldon Stadium after Couva rivals Central FC had forced Stuart Charles Fevrier’s men into a must-win situation against last season’s champions.
Three-time former PL champions Central (36 points), courtesy an Akim Armstrong strike at the Couva venue, had earlier taken the league lead by two points with a narrow 1-0 win over Police FC, who like Club Sando surrendered their chance at a top-two finish on the final night,.
At the end of the night’s action, however, the Couva Sharks had to settle for runners-up but will join Connection (37 points) at the 2020 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship for their credible effort while Sando and Police (both on 33 points and separated by goal-difference) finished third and fourth respectively.
The Caribbean Club Championship—which serves as the qualifier tournament to the CONCACAF Champions League and CONCACAF League—will see last season’s PL champions and runners-up North East Stars and multiple-time former Caribbean champions Connection, respectively, will represent T&T at the 2019 edition which begins in January.
North East Stars, a far cry from the outfit that won the PL last season under then coach Derek King, must improve in player personnel if they are to give a good account of themselves on international debut against the likes of former Caribbean champions Cibao FC and Atlético San Francisco of the Dominican Republic, Portmore United and Waterhouse FC of Jamaica, and Haiti’s Série d’Ouverture winners AS Capoise and Série de Clôture winners. Last night’s performance—their 22nd match without a win from 23 outings in all competitions this season—was a clear reminder of the challenges that await coach Zoran Vranes in the new year.
T&T forward Joseph put Connection ahead from as early as one minute 30 seconds played when he scored from the tightest of angles to beat North East Stars goalkeeper Javon Sample before Neil Benjamin Jr. cushioned the Fevrier’s men 2-0 off a Briel Thomas assist in the 13th minute after Jomal Williams and Kadeem Corbin were both denied by the post.
Allister Bernard unscored with the goal at his mercy around the half-hour mark before teammate Lashawn Roberts’ powerful effort three minutes from the half cannoned off the upright as North East Stars’ miserable night dragged on.
Sample made a number of fine saves on either side of the break including keeping out a powerful Alvin Jones free kick then a follow-up effort by the T&T international and two efforts from Jomal Williams separated by the half, however his side fell further behind 11 minutes into the second period when Benjamin turned provider for Joseph to make it 3-0.
Joseph completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute to make it 4-0 and moved ahead of Sando’s Tyrone Charles by one league goal with 18 to capture his second league Golden Boot after the 2013/14 season thanks to the Jomal Williams’ generosity in rolling a pass across the area for the Point Fortin forward to hit his 25th goal of the season in all competitions into a gaping net.
Charles finished with 17 league goals and nineteen in all competitions, one less than Police’s Kareem Freitas who had 15 in the league and 20 in all competitions, followed by Armstrong whose 14th league goal and sixteenth in all competitions arrived against Police to qualify Central for a fourth Caribbean Club Championship in five seasons.
Police brothers Jameel and Kareem Perry both had excellent openings midway through the first half but on both occasions T&T shot-stopper Marvin Phillip was alert to avert danger before Dillon Kirton drilled an effort wide of the Central custodian’s upright as the Couva Sharks looked porous at the back in the opening half.
An ambitious Christon Thomas attempt from 35 yards out sailed just high as the “Lawmen” grew in confidence before Central had their star player and T&T midfielder Duane Muckette limp off injured and was replaced by Xavier Rajpaul four minutes from the half.
Armstrong however punished Richard Hood’s side in the 68th minute following a mix-up by a defender and goalkeeper Adrian Foncette by poking the eventual winner into the net, at which time his former employers Sando were trailing a two-nil score against his ex-club Morvant Caledonia United at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings had put the “Eastern Stallions” in front six minutes from the half and Guyana international Sheldon Holder doubled the advantage in the 59th minute before completing his double and the 3-0 win in the 90th minute to dash Sando’s hopes of a top-two finish.
Later at the Port of Spain venue San Juan Jabloteh signed off with a 5-0 win over Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers with veteran attacker and multiple-time former league winner Jason Marcano scoring a hat-trick while Josiah Baird and Tyrese Baily each had a goal.
Jabloteh (27 points) finished unmoved in seventh, three points below Defence Force and Morvant Caledonia in fifth and sixth respectively, but above, in descending order, Point Fortin Civic (11 points), Rangers (10 points) and North East Stars (6 points).
Pro League 2018
Round Two Match Day Nine
(Friday 07 December)
Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Keron Cummings 39’, Sheldon Holder 59’, 90’) vs Club Sando 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh 5 (Jason Marcano 11’, 27’, 50’, Josiah Baird 30’, Tyrese Bailey 59’) vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Central FC 1 (Akim Armstrong 68’) vs Police FC 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 4 (Marcus Joseph 2’, 56’, 65’, Neil Benjamin Jr. 13’) vs North East Stars 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 18 10 7 1 43 8 35 37
2 Central FC 18 11 3 4 42 25 17 36
3 Club Sando 18 10 3 5 44 26 18 33
4 Police FC 18 10 3 5 37 21 16 33
5 Defence Force FC 18 9 3 6 38 21 17 30
6 Morvant Caledonia Utd 18 8 6 4 36 22 14 30
7 San Juan Jabloteh 18 8 3 7 29 24 5 27
8 Point Fortin Civic 18 3 2 13 20 46 -26 11
9 Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers 18 3 1 14 13 67 -54 10
10 North East Stars 18 1 3 14 16 58 -42 6
Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday
Game 1
Central FC: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 3.Ewan Grandison, 7.Hakim Baird, 8.Akim Armstrong, 10.Leston Paul, 12.Taryk Sampson, 13.Rhondel Gibson, 18.Densill Theobald (Capt.), 19.Jared London, 24.Duane Muckette (11.Xavier Rajpaul 41st minute), 29.Russel Alfred (9.Tyrik John 90th minute).
Unused substitutes: 30.Zane Coker (GK); 5.Dwight Pope, 17.Renaldo Alexander.
Coach: Stern John
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK) (Capt.); 4.Kadeem Boyce, 7.Kareem Perry (15.Christian Thomas 65th minute), 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 9.Jameel Perry (32.Keion Wilson 73rd minute), 10.Kareem Freitas, 12.Nequan Caruth (11.Micah Lewis 74th minute), 13.Dillon Kirton, 16.Brendon Creed, 19.Christon Thomas, 33.Kemrom Purcell.
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK); 3.Ryan O’Neil, 5.Kenaz Williams, 14.Michael Hyacinth.
Coach: Richard Hood
Match Officials
Referee: Kwinsi Williams
Assistant Referee 1: Kevin Lewis
Assistant Referee 2: Johann Corneille
Fourth Official: Gyasi Mc Donald
Match Commissioner: Wayne Caesar
Game 2
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams (Capt.), 5.Triston Hodge, 6.Kevon Goddard, 7.Jomal Williams (11.Adan Noel 84th minute), 9.Kadeem Corbin, 16.Alvin Jones, 17.Neil Benjamin Jr. (24.Isaiah Hudson 85th minute), 19.Briel Thomas, 99.Marcus Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 33.Jason Belfon (GK); 15.Otev Lawrence. 23.Kennedy Hinkson, 26.Isaiah Garcia, 27.Kierron Mason.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
North East Stars: 21.Javon Sample (GK); 7.Hayden Tinto (18.Josiah Daniel 77th minute), 8.Saleem Henry, 9.Kordell Samuel (20.Dareem Daniel 67th minute), 11.Kyle Bartholomew, 15.Lashawn Roberts, 17.Shakqeem Joseph, 22.Allister Bernard (10.Rivaldo Coryat 57th minute), 24.Rakim Cabie, 27.Ross Dowden, 29.Stephen Punnette.
Unused substitutes: (GK); 2.Jabari Brathwaite, 14.Keithen Carter, 23.Sherwyn Williams, 30.Kareem Davidson.
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Match Officials
Referee: Cecile Hinds
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard
Assistant Referee 2: Keron Mayers
Fourth Official: Nicholai Nyron
Match Commissioner: Cassie Moore
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2018 Pro League Standings
P W D L F A Pts
W Connection 18 10 7 1 43 8 37
Central FC 18 11 3 4 42 25 36
Club Sando 18 10 3 5 44 26 33
Police FC 18 10 3 5 37 21 33
Defence Force 18 9 3 6 38 21 30
Morvant Caledonia United 18 8 6 4 36 22 30
San Juan Jabloteh 18 8 3 7 29 24 27
Point Fortin Civic 18 3 2 13 20 46 11
St. Ann’s Rangers 18 3 1 14 13 67 10
North East Stars 18 1 3 14 16 58 6
2018 Pro League Goalscorers.
EIGHTEEN
Marcus Joseph (W Connection) - 18
SEVENTEEN
Tyrone Charles (Club Sando) - 17
FIFTEEN
Kareem Freitas (Police FC) - 15 (5-Pen)
FOURTEEN
Akim Armstrong (Central FC) - 14 (1-Pen)
NINE
Devorn Jorsling (Defence Force) - 9
Sheldon Holder (Morvant Caledonia United) - 9
EIGHT
Shackiel Henry (Club Sando) - 8
Jomoul Francois (San Juan Jabloteh) - 8
SEVEN
Duane Muckette (Central FC) - 7 (1-Pen)
Russell Alfred (Central FC) - 7
Jameel Perry (Police FC) - 7
SIX
Jomal Williams (W Connection) - 6
Kadeem Corbin (W Connection) - 6
FIVE
Keron Cornwall (Club Sando) - 5
Brent Sam (Defence Force) - 5
Hashim Arcia (Defence Force) - 5
Jerwyn Balthazar (Defence Force) - 5
FOUR
Densill Theobald (Central FC) - 4
Saydrel Lewis (Morvant Caledonia United) - 4
Quincy Ballah (Morvant Caledonia United) - 4
Kordell Samuel (North East Stars) - 4
Mikaeel Jem Gordon (Point Fortin Civic) - 4
Nathaniel Garcia (Point Fortin Civic) - 4
Christian Thomas (Police FC) - 4
Kerry Baptiste (St. Ann’s Rangers) - 4
THREE
Ewan Grandison (Central FC) - 3
Akeem Humphrey (Club Sando) - 3
Quinn Rodney (Club Sando) - 3
Aikim Andrews (Morvant Caledonia United) - 3
Renaldo Francois (Morvant Caledonia United) - 3
Allister Bernard (North East Stars) - 3
Justin Sadoo (Point Fortin Civic) - 3 (1-Pen)
Kareem Perry (Police FC) - 3
Kurdell Brathwaite (Police FC) - 3 (1 Own-Goal), (2-Pen)
Jamal Creighton (San Juan Jabloteh) - 3
Jason Marcano (San Juan Jabloteh) - 3
Sean Bonval (San Juan Jabloteh) - 3 (1-Pen)
Adan Noel (W Connection) - 3
Neil Benjamin Jr. (W Connection) - 3
TW0
Jameel Neptune (Central FC) - 2
Jared London (Central FC) - 2
Kaydion Gabriel (Central FC) - 2
Kemuel Rivers (Club Sando) - 2 (1-Pen)
Darius Ollivierra (Defence Force) - 2
Dylon King (Defence Force) - 2
Keion Goodridge (Morvant Caledonia United) - 2
Keron Cummings (Morvant Caledonia United) - 2
Malik Mieres (Morvant Caledonia United) - 2
Sedale Mc Lean (Morvant Caledonia United) - 2
Dareem Daniel (North East Stars) - 2
Kyle Bartholomew (North East Stars) - 2 (1-Pen)
Akeem Redhead (Point Fortin Civic) - 2
Judah Garcia (Point Fortin Civic) - 2
Micah Lewis (Police FC) - 2
Nickel Orr (San Juan Jabloteh) - 2
Kishon Hackshaw (St. Ann’s Rangers) - 2
Alvin Jones (W Connection) - 2
Gerard Williams (W Connection) - 2 (1 Own-Goal)
ONE
Dwight Pope (Central FC) - 1
Leston Paul (Central FC) - 1
Aaquil Campbell (Club Sando) - 1
Jabari Mitchell (Club Sando) - 1
Josiah Trimmingham (Club Sando) - 1 (1 Own-Goal)
Jayson Joseph (Club Sando) - 1
Nicholas Thomas (Club Sando) - 1
Aaron Lester (Defence Force) - 1
Adrian Welch (Defence Force) - 1
Jamille Boatswain (Defence Force) - 1
Kerry Joseph (Defence Force) - 1
Lashawn Roberts (Defence Force) - 1 (1 Own-Goal)
Rodell Elcock (Defence Force) - 1
Shaquille Bertrand (Defence Force) - 1
Thurlani George (Defence Force) - 1
Jomokie Cassimy (Morvant Caledonia United) - 1 (1 Own-Goal)
Joshua Alexander (Morvant Caledonia United) - 1
Kerry Daniel (Morvant Caledonia United) - 1
Melvin Doxilly (Morvant Caledonia United) - 1
Richard Williams (Morvant Caledonia United) - 1
Ross Russell Jr (Morvant Caledonia United) - 1
Adrian Noel (North East Stars) - 1
Jabari Brathwaite (North East Stars) - 1
Shakqueem Joseph (North East Stars) - 1
Sherwyn Williams (North East Stars) - 1
Akinola Gregory (Point Fortin Civic) - 1
Bevon Bass (Point Fortin Civic) - 1
Hughtun Hector (Point Fortin Civic) - 1
Jeremiah Kesar (Point Fortin Civic) - 1 (1 Own-Goal)
Ronell Paul (Point Fortin Civic) - 1
Nion Lammy (Point Fortin Civic) - 1
Kemron Purcell (Police FC) - 1
Michael Hyacinth (Police FC) - 1
Shakuile Williams (Police FC) - 1
Darren Mitchell (San Juan Jabloteh) - 1
Dellon Jagessar (San Juan Jabloteh) - 1
Jamal Spencer (San Juan Jabloteh) - 1
Joel Lewis (San Juan Jabloteh) - 1
Josiah Baird (San Juan Jabloteh) - 1
Nical Stephens (San Juan Jabloteh) - 1
Tyrese Bailey (San Juan Jabloteh) - 1
Adrian Foncette (St. Ann’s Rangers) - 1 (1 Own-Goal)
Chadley David (St. Ann’s Rangers) - 1 (1 Own-Goal)
Nicholai Orr (St. Ann’s Rangers) - 1
Rondell Austin (St. Ann’s Rangers) - 1
Taje Commissiong (St. Ann’s Rangers) - 1
Caleb Sturge (W Connection) - 1
Kierron Mason (W Connection) - 1
Kennedy Hinkson (W Connection) - 1
Tristan Hodge (W Connection) - 1 (1-Pen)
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Jean: Tough decisions coming.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
Connection secure sixth Pro League crown but…
W CONNECTION secured their sixth Pro League crown on Friday, after whipping 2017 champs North East Stars 4-0 in the second game of a double-header, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
This title will be added to the club’s collection of Pro League trophies, having won in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2011-12 and 2013-14.
After finishing second in the League last season, Connection will feature in the 2019 Caribbean Football Union (CFU)/Caribbean Club Championships.
But Connection’s assistant coach Earl Jean has admitted the team’s hierarchy may have to make harsh decisions with regard to their immediate future.
During a post-game interview on Friday, Jean said, “We have to regroup as a club. We’re supposed to have some very important meetings because we have to decide where we want to go from here.”
The former St Lucia and Connection striker continued, “We have the Caribbean Club Championships coming up so now we’ll have to try and put a squad together. We will be making some changes and now it’s for us to sit down as a club to decide. Financially, the clubs have been in problems so it’s big decisions now on where we’ll go from here.”
The Pro League clubs (excluding Police and Defence Force) have been virtually reliant on Government subventions, in order to survive.
Jean has been a part of all six of Connection’s title-winning teams – as a player (2000, 2001 and 2005) and as an assistant coach (2011-12, 2013-14 and 2018).
“It’s always a tremendous feeling to win the title,” Jean said. “Sometimes you win it so many years playing and coaching, but every year is a special year. I think, because of the effort the players put in this year, I think it was a great achievement.”
Before Connection began their match against North East Stars, they were assured of a top-two finish and a spot in the 2020 Caribbean Club Championships.
In the earlier match at Couva, Central FC edged Police 1-0 to finish second, while in a simultaneous game at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Club Sando, who started the day in second spot, slipped to third after a 3-0 loss to Morvant Caledonia United.
Jean insisted that the squad was totally focused on their game, and not the other results on the evening.
“We were not concentrating on (the Police vs Central) game,” said Jean. “I heard somebody saying that Caledonia (were) winning. To me, we were just focused on winning (our) game.
“Sometimes the players will play too relaxed, so we were just focused on getting the three points and trying to win the championship.”
Asked about the team’s 2018 season, Jean replied, “We had a tremendous season. With all the international breaks, I think the players gave us 100 per cent every game, and we were really pleased about it. In the first round, we won about five consecutive games. It was a big effort.
The Connection assistant coach continued, “You can see that (most) of the teams were very close and the competition was fierce. Credit to all the other clubs in the Pro League.
“We give the players credit and the staff for sticking together in the difficult financial times we have right now. It worked out well for us in the end.”
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WATCH: San Juan Jabloteh ends the 2018 T&T Pro League season on a high after a 5-0 drubbing of St. Ann's Rangers.
https://www.youtube.com/v/29N4qB-oqfA