W Connection need one more win.
T&T Guardian Reports.[/size]
W Connection are just a victory away from wrapping up the T&T Pro League title.
The Central-based team stretched their lead to a clear 15 points after coming away comfortable 4-0 victors over Tobago United on Tuesday night.
Three of W Connection's foreign contingent accounted for all four of their goals. Brazilian midfielder Ronaldo Viana struck a brace (29th & 68th); veteran St Lucian striker Earl Jean opened the scoring in the 12th minute; and Guyanese Randolph Jerome--the league's top-scorer two years ago--also got on the scoresheet to make it 3-0 four minutes into the second half. Connection stretched their lead over San Juan Jabloteh by a further two points after their nearest rivals were held 1-1 by defending champions National Quarries North East Stars. W Connection now have 43 points from their 17 matches, while Jabloteh are second on 31 from 16 games.
With just five matches to go, W Connection owner David John Williams said they wanted to create a little history by winning the 2005 title with an entire month left in the season. He added that in the past three years when W Connection finished second in the league, they fought all the way to the last day of the season before the title was decided. He says this time the League will be decided well in advance. "We need four points. But, if we should beat Jabloteh on the first of November, we will be 15 points clear with five matches to play. We will have to lose all our matches to lose the title," John Williams declared.
The crossbar denies Jabloteh victory over Stars.
By: Joel Villafana.[/size]
San Juan Jabloteh can only count themselves unlucky as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against 2004 Pro League Champions National Quarries North East Stars at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Jabloteh dominated proceedings and should have come away with at least a 4-1 triumph—but the crossbar stood between the Pro Bowl Champions and victory.
The San Juan based unit found themselves on the back foot as early as the 5th minute when a defensive error gave North East Stars Kern Navarro the simple task of putting away the opening goal—North East Stars leading 1-0.
Jabloteh however, kicked into overdrive and equalized in the 16th minute, when Keyeno Thomas rose above everyone and headed home a corner.
However, as the game progressed coach Terry Fenwick’s men created four opportunities and saw their endeavors crash against the upright—Kerry Noray, Angus Eve and National Midfielder Aurtis Whitley all saw their efforts denied by the posts. Anthony Wolfe also had a chance to give the Stars the advantage but he muffed the simplest of chances—but all in all Jabloteh would be ruining the missed points as they now find themselves falling 15 points behind leaders W Connection.
Stephen David fire up Caledonia over Oilmen.[/size]
A splendid double brace by Caledonia AIA Fire striker Stephen David saw Caledonia register a 2-0 win over United Petrotrin at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Petrotrin coming into the game on a high, having come off a 4-3 win over Superstar Rangers in the Toyota classic failed to spark—as they went behind in the 16th minute when David slammed a right-footer home from close range—Caledonia leading 1-0.
Petrotrin should have equalized in the closing stages of the first half—when Kelvin Hernandez made a brilliant run down the right and squared an accurate cross that found Peter Prosper who muffed the opportunity hitting it straight to the keeper.
Stephen David waited till the 90th minute to get his 2nd item—a beautifully taken goal—David evading two defenders—kept his composure and dribbled the keeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net. Caledonia AIA coming away with a 2-0 win.
Pro-League Results:
W Connection 4 (Ronaldo Viana 29th, 68th, Earl Jean 12th, Randolph Jerome 49th) v Tobago United 0.
San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Keyeno Thomas 16th) v North East Stars 1 (Kern Navarro 5th).
Caledonia AIA Fire 2 (Stephen David 16th, 90th) v United Petrotrin 0.
Let's have community Pro-League teams.
T&T Express Reports.
The present structure of Trinidad and Tobago's Professional Football League doesn't make any sense. I'm talking about the Jabloteh, W Connection, Army etc. Let me explain: every weekend we sit in front of our televisions and watch Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Manchester United vs Liverpool etc. and we like what we see - the high standard of football, the passion of the players and most of all the crowd of supporters in the thousands and wonder why our league can't be like that. The answer is this, people support their own, these clubs are from places not companies.
The standard of football, the support and marketing of T&T football is very poor and extends down to the national team, the players have little interest, heart or passion for the game because of what goes on in the pro league.
The average citizen doesn't have a clue about our players, who they are, where they're from, their background etc., but we know everything about Ronaldo, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Beckham, Figo and on and on.
My solution is this-do away with the present league format and start with Port of Spain, San Fernando, Mayaro, Chaguanas, Arima, Sangre Grande, Point Fortin etc. and trust me, we would see a whole difference in the standard and support of T&T football.
C Mata - Morvant.