Caledonia bow to Jabloteh.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
Shabazz admits mental failings.
The Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA team gathered after the final whistle at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima on Wednesday night for a photograph with the latest addition to their trophy cabinet. But it was not the award they craved.
Earl "Mango" Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago's popular New York-based coach, presented a plaque to Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz for the club's services to their community. There might have been a short speech too.
It was difficult to hear anything over the commotion as, just a few feet away, the CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh football team celebrated with the most prestigious trophy in Trinidad and Tobago's domestic competition--he 2007 Pro League crown.
Jabloteh ended a topsy-turvy campaign on a high note with a 2-1 win over Caledonia that put them five points clear of defending champions, bmobile Joe Public, and seven ahead of the "Eastern Stallions" who finished as guests at the San Juan club's party.
Caledonia lost all possibility of a title last Saturday, when they fell 3-1 to Vibe CT 105 W Connection, and could not muster a parting Christmas present for their supporters who watched them shine this year but still finish empty handed-Pierre's token apart.
"We made a terrific attempt," said Shabazz. "We are not failures because I see a massive change in respect toward us, so I see light at the end of the tunnel. But we were not accustomed to being in front and holding the lead and it got to us mentally.
"Our inability to handle that pressure cost us the title."
There is likely to be forensic examination of Caledonia's rank and file before the players re-convene next season. Shabazz expects striker Conrad Smith and winger Hayden Tinto to take up opportunities in Europe, while the Stallions hope to stave off suitors for their key players and even add an experienced striker and adventurous right back.
Just as important, though, Caledonia must recover the chemistry that made them the country's most formidable opponents for long stretches this year.
But by the time the Lucozade Big Six competition got underway, they were already a spent force.
Shabazz hinted at differences between himself and assistant coach Jerry Moe, who ably steered the ship during the former's absences but has different ideas particularly regarding team selection.
The in-fighting between Caledonia's players was obvious as they imploded with just one point from a possible 18 in their final six league fixtures.
Inspirational midfielder Marvin Oliver managed just one goal during that period while his verbal tirades against teammates and opponents grew more pronounced.
He berated his defence for virtually 30 minutes straight in a 3-1 loss to North East Stars on December 9.
Oliver, an elegant player with a vast passing range and sharp eye for goal, took much of the praise for Caledonia's fine form this year. So too must he accept a disproportional degree of blame for their eventual collapse.
Shabazz sees the Trinidad and Tobago national senior men's team coaching position as his destiny. Oliver has a similar dream about wearing the national colours at a World Cup.
Both men took healthy strides in the right direction this year but still have much to learn.
Shabazz, who holds a UEFA "B" license, revealed that he is doing courses on management and physical preparation while he promised to help Oliver's mental game.
"He needs to develop much more mental toughness," said Shabazz, "and the ability to focus on the football and not be distracted by things like refereeing decisions or his teammates' inability to perform."
As Caledonia and Jabloteh headed to the dressing rooms with their respective accolades and patrons streamed towards the exit, Oliver sat alone on the substitutes' bench in the pouring rain. He could not seem to come to terms with the anti-climactic end to Caledonia's season.
The league table never lies and Jabloteh were deserved winners in the end. Intense and unshakable, coach Terry Fenwick's men never lost sight of their goal and Jabloteh's play on Wednesday was positive, overwhelming and rightly rewarded with a majestic trophy. Spare a thought though for the nearly-men with the plaque.
Teams
Caledonia AIA:[/b] — Andrew Durrant, Marvin Oliver (capt), Howard Lowe, Dexter Franklyn, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Conrad Smith (Kanthony Mitchell 90th+), Abdallah Phillips, Dwight Peters (Carlyle Mitchell 76th), Walter Moore, Hayden Tinto, Mc Kenzie Cadette (Dwayne Jacob 66th).
Goal-Scorer: — Conrad Smith 75th.
Coach: — Jamaal Shabaaz.
San Juan Jabloteh: — Cleon John, Trent Noel (capt), Ian Gray, Cyd Gray, Jason Marcano, Lester Peltier (Cornell Glen 90th), Carlon Murray, Khaleem Hyland, Elton John, Gaeson Gregory (Peter Byers 84th), Wendell Joseph (Devon Jamerson 80th).
Goal-Scorers: — Khaleem Hyland 23rd, Jason Marcano 35th.
Coach: — Terry Fenwick.
Player of the Match: — Trent Noel (San Juan Jabloteh).
Fenwick: Jabloteh is the future T&T.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).
Boasting a host of youngsters in his 2007 League Championship winning team, head Coach of San Juan Jabloteh, Terry Fenwick believes that his club is the future Trinidad and Tobago football.
San Juan Jabloteh finished with 62 points, five clear of closest challengers and defending champs Joe Public when they defeated rivals Caledonia AIA 2-1 at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Tuesday night.
An elated Fenwick told media officials, “We at Jabloteh have got the future of Trinidad and Tobago football. A lot of these players in our squad have just completed their first season in the Pro League and they’ve had a tremendous season.”
“It wasn’t an easy title,” said Fenwick. “It was very tight and tricky as well along the way but I think our players were fantastic. My players, my club deserves it this time. They put everything into it and showed that they are the future and must give credit to themselves.”
Jabloteh boasted youngsters such as Devon Jamerson, Khaleem Hyland, Lester Peltier, Attaula Guerra and Elton John and Gason Gregory this season.
“We have great players,” Fenwick mentioned. “We have good athletes who are much disciplined and this is great with the youngsters in our squad.”
“Our players stuck at it throughout the season. We had one or two disappointments this season but they’ve kept at it and like we’ve seen tonight (Tuesday) they played fantastic football.”
Fenwick who commended the die hard Jabloteh fan base said that his second League title as coach was only possible with the collective effort.
He said, “It was a team effort all season. We had a whole new set of players, most of who are kids. This is the first season at the Pro League for many of them, so this is not just about me. Angus Eve, Wesly Webb, senior players around us like Ian Gray, Cyd Gray and Trent Noel have been fantastic.”
Fewick further explained that his players showed a lot of character, even after his team’s failure in the knockout competitions.
“Of course we had concerns, having missed out on a couple Cup finals but we never gave in. We held on and showed what we can do here tonight (against Caledonia) and that is good testament.”
Jabloteh scored both goals in the first half thanks to strikes by Khaleem Hyland and Jason Marcano.
“We had a 2-1 win against Caledonia in our final match. Caledonia is a great team with a great season but our kids showed that they can play a good passing game and we got the result,” ended the League winning coach.
