Joe Public rattle Jabloteh again.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
McComie clinches Macoya battleBmobile Joe Public club owner Jack Warner is unlikely to be satisfied with his team's performance at the recently concluded 2007 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championships. Second place is never good enough for a Trinidad and Tobago team participating in a regional competition.
But Warner and Public head coach Michael McComie might have enjoyed a good night's rest on Tuesday, buoyed by the knowledge that the "Eastern Lions"ยท remain one of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League's premier outfits. Public's 1-0 triumph over CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in Tuesday's league fixture should have seen to that.
Jabloteh, arguably, had more to lose. The Pro League crown appears to be a straight race between the self-proclaimed "San Juan Kings" and upstarts Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA at present. Caledonia are two points clear but have played an extra match, while Jabloteh were expected to crave revenge after their narrow Toyota Classic final loss to Public and the controversial scenes that followed it. But it was Public who better handled the adrenalin rush stoked by the ill-tempered clash.
From refused transfer permit recommendations and taunting to allegations of racist abuse, there has been enough baiting between either team to make your average boxing promoter salivate.
McComie has generally played the role of antagonist, which takes some doing considering Fenwick's outspoken-to be generous-past that is littered with disciplinary breaches.
In the clash of local football's most controversial coaches, McComie emerged with reputation intact on Tuesday night. Not that the result did not slightly flatter the home team.
The best chance of the match fell to Jabloteh substitute and 2006 World Cup player Cornell Glen in the 89th minute and his hurried effort sailed over the bar after a clever, quick throw from Khaleem Hyland.
It was the difference between the teams in more ways than one. All heart, Jabloteh could not match Public's composure on Tuesday evening.
Who would want to be Fenwick now?
The former England World Cup player and 2002 PFL Coach of the Year is still without a trophy this term and has endured a torrid fortnight off the field too. McComie's assertion that Fenwick racially abused him after the Classic final-a charge the Englishman denied--has brought the Jabloteh coach before a Pro League disciplinary committee while he was not permitted to run his technical area, on Tuesday, because of a previous expulsion.
Fenwick found out yesterday too, that the Pro League executive will not permit him the honour of leading one of two All Star teams into the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup against United States Major League Soccer (MLS) club Dallas FC and Brazilian team, Atletico Paranaense on November 30 and December 2.
The local clubs initially agreed that the top local and foreign coach, as decided by the domestic standings, would head the respective All Star squads but Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene said a rethink was done at an executive level. Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz will steer a Trinidad and Tobago XI, while Stuart Charles-Fevrier, a St Lucian, would run a local-based Overseas XI although his fourth-placed Vibe CT 105 W Connection squad are two spots below Jabloteh.
The simmering feud between Jabloteh and Joe Public is taking a toll on the former club in more ways than one and Jabloteh chairman Jerry Hospedales must help his coach maintain focus or risk ending such a promising season empty handed.
McComie was entitled to feel good about himself on Tuesday and, during the second half, he twice found time to vacate his technical area and walk within touching distance of Jabloteh's supporters in the stands.
Forever the showman, McComie's players showed the more thoughtful and unruffled side to his personality in their latest triumph. Jabloteh, who had central defender Ian Gray expelled on Tuesday and should have lost Cyd Gray too but for referee Phillip Jordan's leniency, need an urgent infusion of either characteristic if they are to beat Caledonia to the finish line.
TeamsJoe Public:[/b] - Alejandro Figueroa, Dale Saunders, Arnold Dwarika, Carlos Gonzales, Kerry Baptiste (Kerry Noray 80th), Devon Leacock (Roen Nelson 75th), Kendall Jagdeosingh, Seon Power, Gregory Richardson, Keyeno Thomas, Silas Spann.
Coach-Michael Mc Comie
San Juan Jabloteh: - Cleon John, Carlon Murray, Lester Peltier, Trent Noel (Jason Marcano 16th), Khaleem Hyland, Gregory Gason, Elton John, Ian Gray, Peter Byers (Cornell Glen 46th), Cyd Gray, Kevon Villaroel (Julien Landeau 67th).
Coach-Terry Fenwick
HighlightsTODAY'S T&T PRO LEAGUE MATCHES:5 pm - San Juan Jabloteh v Tobago United, Larry Gomes Stadium
7 pm - Superstar Rangers v Joe Public, Larry Gomes Stadium
Terry Fenwick suspended.
By: Ian Prescott (Express).[/size]
Terry Fenwick, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh's English coach, has been suspended for three matches by the T&T Pro League for using obscene language at a match official. Fenwick spent Tuesday's key T&T Pro League match-up against Joe Public at the foot of the covered stands where he issued instructions, while Angus Eve, the assistant-coach, took charge during Jabloteh's 1-0 loss against the "Eastern Lions." Fenwick is also out for Jabloteh's Pro League match against Tobago United today, and their first match in the Lucozade Big 6 competition on Saturday.
The current suspension for Fenwick came as a result of an incident at the First Citizens Cup competition in September, and not the incident at the end of the Toyota Classic Final on November 30, where Joe Public coach Michael McComie accused the Englishman of aiming a racist statement at him.
Contacted yesterday, T&T Pro League administrator Julia Baptiste stated that Fenwick is not the first coach the Pro League has been suspended for using obscene language at officials. Baptiste also explained that the reason Fenwick's suspension was not implemented before, is that the Pro League sanctions do not carry over to other competitions.
She said that during the last month, Jabloteh were involved in the FA Trophy and CONCACAF Club Champions Cup Caribbean qualifying series. Now that the Pro League has resumed, Fenwick's suspension has taken effect. Two years ago, the controversial former England defender was also involved in an incident at the Toyota Classic Final on November 4, 2005, in which he elbowed Vibe CT 105 W Connection midfielder Gefferson Goulart in the face.
The Englishman was initially fined $24,000 and suspended for 10 matches by the disciplinary committee of the T&T Pro League. On appeal, a Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) appeals committee, comprising Jack Austin Warner and Om Lalla, cut the fine to $12,000 and the suspension to six matches.
