Connection beat Caledonia to close gap on Leaders.
By: Vinod Narwani (ttproleague).[/size]
W Connection went into the 22nd round of the TT Pro League competition in third position, five points behind runners-up San Juan Jabloteh and seven adrift of leaders Joe Public.
But like true champions, hungry to retain their crown, they gave it their all against Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA Fire at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella and came away with maximum points to further close the gap on the frontrunners.
A 2-1 win for the Couva based outfit, complemented by a 1-0 loss for Jabloteh against Defence Force and a 0-0 stalemate between the Eastern Lions and Superstar Rangers means coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier’s men are more than ever pumped up to try and keep the trophy home again as was indicated by the team gathering after the encounter was completed.
The game started off with Connection eager to find the back of the net, a 7th minute strike from William Da Silva Oliveira outside the box going straight to Caledonia goalkeeper John Ortiz.
But it was a sign of things to come as Connection’s Andre Toussaint latched on to the ball, sent it through to George Isaac who had all the time in the world to slot it comfortably home in the 13th minute for a 1-0 lead.
Connection had another chance in the 31st minute courtesy another strike by Oliviera, but the Caledonia custodian tipped it away, to ensure that the score would remain like that for the rest of the half.
While the first period before the interval did see the teams playing clean football, the encounter had its moments as three players were yellow carded between the 17th and 34th minutes: two from Connection (Christian Viveros and Kern Cupid), while captain Elijah Joseph was the offender on the opposite side.
Caledonia showed more urgency early in the second half by getting closer to the Connection box; that, however, was all that they could do as the Savonetta Boys defended stoutly to prevent coach Jerry Moe’s troops from opening their account.
But it was the champions that found the net in the 61st minute through Isaac’s smooth run and composed finishing, resulting in the lads in green prematurely doing their dance, as the goal was disallowed!
Knowing too well that one goal was never enough, Connection continued hunting in packs to try and get the insurance item.
Following some neat touches, Hughton Hector’s powerful shot inside the area caused Ortiz to make a brilliant diving save.
A scramble near the goal area again had the South-based team having a crack at goal in the 80th minute only for Kareem Joseph to block it with his hand and receive marching orders—Caledonia down to ten men.
Toussaint converted a nifty penalty—that doubled connection’s lead
The ‘Men from Morvant’ were, however, not to be undone and showed true warrior-like spirit.
A harsh tackle from Viveros on Kendall Jagdeosingh just outside the box meant that Connection also had to play with 10 men for the remaining three minutes (plus stoppage time).
Radanfah Abu Bakr’s free-kick that followed ended up over the bar.
But in the closing stages a ball from Uz Taylor to Abu Bakr, whose pass to Anthony Thompson was hit home for the consolation item. Even though they salvaged their pride, it was a case of applying the adage: "too little, too late" for Caledonia.
Teams.
Caledonia AIA[/b] – John Ortiz, Sheldon Emmanuel (capt), Radanfah Abu Bakr, Uz Taylor, Stephen Cruikshank (Abdallah Phillips 55th), Kareem Joseph, Stephan David, Conrad Smith (Anthony Thompson 78th), Jason Cudjoe (Hayden Tinto 78th), Nigel Pierre, Kendall Jagdeosingh.
W Connection – Jan Michael Williams, Christopher Harvey, William Da Silva Oliveira, Kern Cupid, Elijah Joseph (capt), Andre Toussaint, Hughton Hector (Devon Drayton 83rd min), George Isaac, Andrei Pacheco (Dwight Scott 90th), Christian Viveros, Matthew Bartholomew (Earl Jean 84th min).
W CONNECTION v CALEDONIA AIA
2 GOALS 1
2 YELLOW CARDS 2
1 RED CARDS 1
7 SHOTS ON TARGET 3
17 FOULS 15
4 CORNERS 2
