First Citizens Cup Thread.

[Deeks]

Keron Cummings scored for NE. I thought he was in Orlando with Molino!

[dreamer]

Not so fast Deeks. Man just went for a trial. As you know, then to wait for Orlando FC board approval then employer to file paperwork then wait for work visa appointment then for background search then to wait for next transfer window ...leave US and re-enter ...  Ent?

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of First Citizens Cup Qualifiers. San Juan Jabloteh 2-3 Defence Force; North East Stars 1-4 Central FC. CHECK OUT the brilliant goal by Keron Cummings. Even though it’s early days, it’s definitely a contender for goal of the season.
http://www.tv6tnt.com/sevenpm-news/-FIRST-CITIZENS-CUP-QUALIFIERS-7501---330352021.html

[Deeks]

Golazo!

[soccerman]

Goal sah 

[FireBrand]

Boss goal by Cummings, but what was equally impressive for me was De Silva's involvement in all four of Central FC's goals. I believe it's 3 goals and 3 assists for him in Central's first 2 games of the season. Excellent start kid...keep it up!

[Sando prince]

WATCH: Highlights of First Citizens Cup Qualifiers. San Juan Jabloteh 2-3 Defence Force; North East Stars 1-4 Central FC. CHECK OUT the brilliant goal by Keron Cummings. Even though it’s early days, it’s definitely a contender for goal of the season.
http://www.tv6tnt.com/sevenpm-news/-FIRST-CITIZENS-CUP-QUALIFIERS-7501---330352021.html

Nice goal from Cummings.

Some of dem goals in both games were due to basic defending errors from the opposing teams.

[Flex]

First Citizens and Pro League team up again for Player Development seminar.
ttproleague.com.

In an on-going effort to assist players in their personal development, the TT Pro League will be hosting its first Player Development Seminar for the 2015/16 Season entitled "Managing Your Finance".

The seminar will be held in partnership with First Citizens as part of the First Citizens Cup initiative and will take place on Tuesday 6 October 2015 at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The previous "Managing Your Finance" was in April 2014 at the Digicel IMAX Theatre in Port of Spain, which also hosted the “Knowing Your Contract” seminar one month earlier.

The 2014 "Managing Your Finance" was facilitated by a team of First Citizens money management officials and topics included Financial Planning, the Importance of Personal Savings, and Beneficial Accounts.

Back then, Central FC goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams praised the initiative.

The Trinidad and Tobago international said, "Seminars like these are really needed to enhance the knowledge of the younger players in the league, even with [seasoned players like me].

"I learned a lot about investing, saving, and the importance of using money wisely,” added the former W Connection (T&T), White Star Woluwé FC (Belgium) and Ferencvarosi TC (Hungary) player.

"The society in which we live in today is hard, so it's really important for young people to know the importance of saving. I think (the First Citizens) team did a tremendous job in bringing the point across.

"I know players domestically that have made a significant amount of money, even abroad, [during their careers] and have absolutely nothing to show for it. So seminars like these are important. It really helped us to understand the need and importance to save and invest money.

"I won’t call names but we have seen some players not use their money wisely. Regardless if you work for $10 or $200, it is important to save and invest," concluded Williams.

The TT Pro League also plans to host further seminars including 'Nutrition', 'Injury Care and Prevention', and 'Professional Development' during this season.

In March 2014, Tobago-born Attorney-at-Law, Dave Williams, facilitator of the 'Knowing Your Contract' seminar, told players, "(Seminars like these are) preparing the foundation for you, to improve your skill, not only at your feet."

Williams, who spoke on various aspects of a contract, such as negotiations of a contract, contractual obligations and termination of contracts, also told players to enhance their careers on and off the field, and use the opportunity presented to them in the local league as a platform to the bigger leagues outside of T&T.

[Tallman]

Hashim Arcia ready for life at Defence Force
ttproleague.com

Hashim Arcia has turned to a new chapter in his life, one which looks promising for his new employers, Defence Force.

The 27-year-old former W Connection star attacker, who can occupy attacking midfield or the false 9 role, made the switch in enrolling with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force at the end of last season.

According to Arcia, his move to the Defence Force, last season’s third place Digicel Pro League finishers, provides him with a new challenge in his footballing career. The father of one, 2 year-old daughter Stylar Arcia, also stated that while his move to Defence Force provides job security, it wasn’t the main reason for his decision.

Arcia told www.ttproleague.com, “After five years at W Connection I thought it was time for a new challenge. I’ve won many titles including the (Digicel Pro) league and had great times at Connection but now it’s about trying it with another team. My aim now is to win the league and every other title available with Defence Force.”

Defence Force head coach Marvin Gordon won't have the full availability of Arcia just yet, along with midfielders Levi Serries and Tevon Eve; defenders Kevin Carter, Brandon Fountain and Jamali Garcia; and former T&T youth and Under-23 goalkeeper Andre Marchan, who all underwent recruitment training over the past few months.

However Gordon isn’t ruling out the possibility of naming Arcia to his squad for Sunday’s 2015 First Citizens Cup quarter-finals clash against Morvant Caledonia United when both two-time champions meet from 4 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

“We had just one (football) training session with Arcia on Tuesday morning because of his work commitments, but he is looking very sharp,” said Gordon. “We are hoping to have him available for another session before we can make a decision if he can fit into the system for Sunday’s game. But we can’t say for sure.”

Arcia, who had stints at Ma Pau SC (now defunct) and St. Ann’s Rangers before joining Connection in 2010 said he had memorable times at the “Savonetta Boys”, winning titles and representing the club and country at the CONCACAF Champions League. He praised the development he gained at Connection and the commitment of the staff but said it wasn’t possible without his commitment as a player.

Arcia is also viewed by in his Trou Macaque, Laventille hometown as a talented basketball player, but opted for the game he has a bigger love for and has no regrets. The former Success Laventille student also said that while he has a lot of passion for the sport of basketball, there isn’t the opportunity to make it a profession like football has with the TT Pro League.

His smooth passing, intelligent runs off the ball and ability to score important goals have won him many personal accolades as well as club titles (two Digicel Pro League crowns; the 2013 Caribbean Club Championship; two FA Trophies; two Digicel Pro Bowls; the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield; and three Digicel Charity Shields) with Connection along the way.

“He (Arcia) is a great asset to any team to any team in Trinidad,” continued Gordon. “He is a player with great ability and shows excellent discipline. After just one session with him already I can also say he is a very coachable player. I used to watch him at W Connection and I can tell you he was a very difficult player to counterattack. Now it’s a pleasure to have him to add to the Devorn Jorslings, the Richard Roys, and the other quality players in our squad.

“The door is still open for him to represent the national team and if he has the opportunity for a better move abroad. We didn’t pursue Arcia. It was a decision he made on his own to join the Defence Force and with a player like that coming in, you can only welcome him as a coach.”

Arcia, who has 3 full caps with the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s Senior Team, shared, “I haven’t had much time with the players (at Defence Force) yet but I already feel settled in. The players all welcomed me with open hearts. They all know me and what I am capable of as a player.”

Gordon, who also added Trinidad and Tobago 2007 Youth World Cup U17 member and former Orlando City player, 25-year-old Stephan Campbell, along with T&T U23 goalkeeper, 20-year-old Aaron Enil, and T&T U20 midfielder, 19-year-old Kishun Seecharan to his roster, said he has begun the rebuilding process for the next few seasons, with a few senior players expected to be out of the squad in 2016.

“We’ve added players who we believe can develop and add to the team as we focus on continuing to be a force in the league,” Gordon stated.

“We are challenging for the league title this season but because of the great squad we have, we are very confident of the knockouts as well. The mood in the camp is excellent and the understanding is great among the players.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s First Citizens Cup (FCC) clash against Morvant Caledonia United (MCU), the army coach said, “Cale’ versus Defence Force is always a big rivalry. And from all indications Caledonia will present a good challenge like any other team because of the level of competitiveness that’s present in all clubs in the league. Densill Theobald is back with them (MCU) as well as Guyana (internationals) Trayon Bobb and Pernell Schultz. They also have one of ours, Akeem Roach.

“But we are confident in our team for Sunday. Although we want to play good attractive football they key is getting the result that will take us into the semi-final round (of the FCC).”

Also on Sunday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in the FCC quarter-finals, two-time defending champions (2013 & 2014) Central FC will meet Police FC from 6 pm.

But the FCC quarter-finals weekend action kicks off on Saturday at the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin with St. Ann’s Rangers against tournament-debuting Club Sando from 4 pm, before six-time champions (2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008) W Connection tackle Point Fortin Civic from 6:30 pm.

First Citizens Cup 2015
Quarter Final Round
Saturday 17 October 2015
Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Club Sando—4 pm (QF 1)
W Connection vs Point Fortin Civic—6:30 pm (QF 2)

Sunday 18 October 2015
Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain
Morvant Caledonia United vs Defence Force—4 pm (QF 3)
Police FC vs Central FC—6 pm (QF 4)

Semi Final Round
Friday 23 October 2015
Winners QF 1 vs Winners QF 4
Winners QF 2 vs Winners QF 3

Final
Friday 30 October 2015

Qualifying Round results
Wednesday 30 September 2015 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Tyrone Charles 58’, Rickcardo Harriott 90’) vs Defence Force 3 (Glynn Franklyn 53’, 66’, Jerwyn Balthazar 80’)

North East Stars 1 (Keron Cummings 40’) vs Central FC 4 (Marvin Oliver 2’, Sean De Silva 18’, Willis Plaza 69’, 90’+2)

[Deeks]

Man, DF has all these players, let's see how they do this year.

[Flex]

Woodley fires Club Sando into semis.
By Nigel Simon (Guardian).

Kevin Woodley got a second-half hat trick as debutants Club Sando earned the first semifinal spot in this year’s First Citizens Cup with a 3-1 defeat of St Ann’s Rangers at the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin, yesterday.

Woodley opened the scoring two minutes into the second-half but Rasheed Simon hit back for Rangers three minutes to level the match at 1-1.

However, with ten minutes left in the contest, Woodley grabbed his second for a 2-1 lead and a minute into time added on, he completed his treble to set up a semifinal with the winner of today’s match between two-time defending champion Central FC and Police, on Friday.

The clash between Central FC and  Police FC, the feature match of a quarterfinal double-header takes place at the  Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 6 pm today. Two hours earlier, Defence Force and Morvant Caledonia United, both former two-time winners, square off a spot in the semifinals as well.

For Central FC and Defence Force, it will be their second matches in the tournament this season after coming through their qualifying round encounters against Japs North East Stars (4-1) and Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh (3-2), respectively.

Former England international Terry Fenwick led Central FC to the club’s first ever title, the 2013 First Citizens Cup, and Serbia-born coach Zoran Vranes successfully defended the crystal trophy in 2014. Now all eyes are on T&T coach Ross Russell, as he attempts to navigate the “Couva Sharks” to a third consecutive hold of the title.

Russell, who won the Cup on his debut season as coach of Defence Force, the side he later led to two Digicel Pro League (DPL) championship, oozed in confidence at the launch of this season’s Cup. “It’s no pressure for me. I’ve already won it,” Russell said. “We are looking to stay on top as a club, and I’m going all guns for it, don’t matter where we play or who we play.”

With $110,000 accompanying the crystal trophy to the eventual champions on October 30, Police is also confident of its chances and coach Richard Hood said his team’s aim is to knock Central out.

“Our ambition is to win titles this season and we want to start with the First Citizens Cup. It won’t be easy for Central. We’ve had a good pre-season with an all-round strong squad, and we are quite capable of doing well this season.”

Two-time champions Morvant Caledonia United (MCU) has issued a rallying cry for home support for his team and coach Jerry Moe believes that while the Hasely Crawford Stadium isn’t situated within the communities of Morvant and Laventille, it’s still relatively close to home. “These are the same people who will go to the Hasely Crawford Stadium for a Carnival fete,” Moe said.

“Obviously we can’t bring the stadium to them because pleading to have a venue in our community upgraded (for professional play) seems never ending.”

Despite losing its opening Digicel Pro league match, 2-1 to Jabloteh and his team being in a rebuilding stage, Moe isn’t dismissing his team's chances at this season’s First Citizens Cup. He said, “It’s a trophy that’s there for us. We won it in the past. It carries $110,000 as the champions’ prize, so that’s 110 reasons why we should want to win it.”

The task will not be an easy one for Moe and his team as Defence Force has bolstered its ranks with a few new faces, inclusive of former W Connection standout Hashim Arcia, Levi Serries, Tevon Eve, Kevin Carter, Brandon Fountain, Jamali Garcia and former T&T youth players Andre Marchan, Stephan Campbell, Aaron Enil, and Kishun Seecharan who all underwent recruitment training over the past few months into the team.

Looking ahead to today’s match, Gordon said, “Caledonia versus Defence Force is always a big rivalry, and from all indications Caledonia will present a good challenge like any other team because of the level of competitiveness that’s present in all clubs in the league. “Densill Theobald is back with them as well as Guyana (internationals) Trayon Bobb and Pernell Schultz, while they also have one of ours, Akeem Roach.

“But we are confident in our team for Sunday (today). Although we want to play good attractive football they key is getting the result that will take us into the semi-final round (of the FCC).”

The winner of the Defence Force and Morvant Caledonia United gets the winner of last night’s second quarterfinal at Mahaica Oval, between six-time winners W Connection and Pt Fortin Civic.

Results

St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Rasheed Simon 60') vs Club Sando 3 (Kevon Woodley 46', 80', 90’+3') (QF 1)

W Connection 3 (Jomal Williams 5', Alvin Jones 9', Shahdon Winchester 56') vs Point Fortin Civic 1 (Glen Sutton 76') (QF 2)

[Flex]

Morvant Caledonia seeking fan support.
T&T Newsday Reports.

TWO-TIME champions Morvant Caledonia United have issued a rallying cry for home support, and not just for today’s First Citizens Cup 2015 quarter-final clash with Defence Force from 4 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Morvant Caledonia United coach Jerry Moe believes that while the Stadium isn’t situated within the communities of Morvant and Laventille, it’s still relatively close to home.

“These are the same people who will go to the (Stadium) for a Carnival fete,” Moe said. “Obviously we can’t bring the stadium to them because pleading to have a venue in our community upgraded (for professional play) seems never ending.” Moe conceded that the club haven’t been fulfilling the responsibility of connecting with the Morvant/Laventille communities but assured that new steps are in planning as part of the rebuilding process on and off the field of play.

“In the rebranding and rebuilding process it’s our responsibility to get connected with our communities,” the committed Moe said.

“We plan to begin charity work along with other social activities in the community from next week to try and form a bond with the people.” A name change from Caledonia AIA and rebranded logo to better identify with Morvant-Caledonia, as well as a revamped squad for 2015-16, all under the leadership of club boss and technical director Jamaal Shabazz, Morvant Caledonia United are focused on improvement on and off the field.

Last season saw the team finish at an all-time low, second off the bottom in the Digicel Pro League after once occupying third before the Christmas break.

“This season we have brought in some younger players, some of them from different Caribbean islands, and the plan is to try to guide them and mould them into playing in the Cale’ way and shape with the help of some of the remaining senior players. But also being more result oriented.”

Despite being in a rebuilding stage, Moe isn’t dismissing the team’s chances at this season’s First Citizens Cup. He said, “It’s a trophy that’s there for us. We won it in the past. It carries $110,000 as the champions’ prize, so that’s 110 reasons why we should want to win it.”

[Sando prince]

GAME HIGHLIGHTS; https://www.facebook.com/CNC3Television/videos/10153707472672996/

FCB CUP QUARTER FINALS

Club Sando vs St Anns Rangers

The quarter finals of the First Citizens Cup took place last evening.

Kevon "Showtime" Woodley lived up to his nickname at the Mahaica Oval when he netted a second half hat-trick to send Club Sando into next Friday’s First Citizens Cup Semi-Finals with a 3-1 win over St Ann's Rangers.

[Flex]

Goals, goals and more goals as First Citizens Cup thrills.
ttproleague.com.

Central outlasts Police on P/kicks and Cale’ edge Army to set semi-final dates with Sando and Connection, respectively

Twenty-five open play goals were tallied by the end of the quarter-final round tonight (Sunday) in the 2015 First Citizens Cup which also included two qualifier matches this season, while setting up interesting semi-final round clashes for Friday.

And, as if things couldn’t get juicier, a penalty shootout between the two-time defending champions Central FC and Police FC in the final QF took the excitement into overtime.

Central were in alarm mode twice tonight before eventually advancing into next Friday's semi-final round with a 4-3 penalty kicks win over Police.

Police had equalised on the 90th minute through substitute attacker Keon Wilson for a 2-2 score, forcing the match into kicks from the spot after the Couva Sharks rebounded from a goal down to take 2-1 lead.

But the 2013 and 2014 FCC champions were clinical from the spot to advance into the semis against tournament debutants, Club Sando, who were 3-1 winners over St. Ann's Rangers on Saturday.

Open play scorers Marvin Oliver and Willis Plaza, and midfielders Leston Paul and Sean De Silva were all successful in putting the ball past Police goalkeeper Adrian Foncette from the spot.

While a fourth kick missed effort by Police’s Jasimar Ashers and a fifth kick save by Central goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams to deny Kareem Freitas saw the Lawmen bow out after clinical strikes by open play scorer and team captain Todd Ryan, and Jibri Mc David and Clevon Mc Fee from the spot.

In the earlier match of the quarter-final double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Morvant Caledonia United advanced with a 2-1 win over Defence Force, an exciting clash between the two-time champions.

MCU advances into semi-final day against six-time champions W Connection, who defeated Point Fortin Civic 3-1 in the second match of the Saturday’s QF double-header at Mahaica Oval.

MCU scored first when Antiguan Eugine Kirwan bundled a Jamaal Harvey cross over the line at the back post in the 37th minute. And to add insult to injury, Akeem Roach made it 2-0 five minutes before the half.

Roach, who joined MCU during the offseason after making his Pro League debut with Defence Force last season, rifled the ball into the back of goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke’s netting following a right side move involving Kirwan and Jameel Neptune.

MCU were unfortunate not to score even earlier in a half they dominated when Harvey’s sliced attempt crashed off the upright in the 34th minute. The Guyanese midfielder also caused Clarke some trouble from distance in the 50th minute but the Defence Force goalie’s full stretch managed to put the ball wide.

Defence Force, 3-2 winners over San Juan Jabloteh in the qualifier round, had themselves to blame from early on, while MCU goalkeeper Marvin Phillip deserved the bulk of credit although he was beaten in the 90th minute.

Defence Force forward Richard Roy, who wasted an excellent scoring chance in the 19th minute, glanced a header beyond the reach of Phillip after the Trinidad and Tobago national team shot-stopper had initially kept out an attempt by the forward before Marvin Jones swung rebound back across goal.

However Phillip’s heroics between the uprights with saves against Sean Narcis and Jerwyn Balthazar and substitutes Devorn Jorsling and Kishon Seecharan proved vital.

Later on, Phillip’s national goalkeeping teammate Jan-Michael Williams was unfortunate three minutes before the half in the second QF on Sunday.

A powerfully struck Todd Ryan free-kick from 30 yards out cannoned off the base of the upright before hitting the body of Williams and entering the net for a 1-0 Police lead.

But a headed goal by Marvin Oliver, beating Foncette in the 48th minute, pulled Central level, 1-1. The 40-year-old Central star elevated himself ahead of the Police defence to meet a Marcus Joseph free-kick swung in from the right for his second goal of the tournament.

Much earlier, Foncette was forced into an acrobatic save just four minutes into the match by his own forward, Jameel Perry, who misdirected a clearance. Then on the 37th minute the T&T third choice goalie pulled off a superb one-handed save to deny Oliver.

Foncette had little support again in the 79th minute when Plaza grabbed his third goal of the tournament, tying level with Club Sando’s hat-trick scorer, Kevon “Showtime” Woodley.

Plaza, who netted a double in a 4-1 win over North East Stars in the qualifier round, smashed a rebound past Foncette for a 2-1 Central lead. Plaza was brilliantly on the left to evade his markers before slipping a pass to De Silva inside the area, and after the midfielder’s attempt crashed off the far upright, the T&T forward was alive in the box to take full advantage.

The Couva Sharks, however, failed to hold on till the final whistle. After a couple late overbar attempts from Police players Kurdell Brathwaite and Christon Thomas, Keon Wilson grabbed the Lawmen equaliser in stoppage time after Thomas sliced an effort across the crowded box to send the contest into kicks from the penalty mark.

All teams will shift their focus to the Digicel Pro League 2015-16 championship on Tuesday in Round One Match Day Two.

Defending DPL champions Central FC will take on Defence Force from 6 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium and simultaneously at the Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin Civic will host San Juan Jabloteh.

Also from 6 pm, St. Ann’s Rangers and Club Sando will meet at the Hasely Crawford Stadium prior to an 8 pm clash between Morvant Caledonia United and W Connection, in a preview of Friday’s FCC semi-final clash. While North East Stars and Police FC must kick off the DPL fixtures on Tuesday from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium.

Results

Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Eugine Kirwan 37’, Akeem Roach 40’) vs Defence Force 1 (Richard Roy 90’) (QF 3)

Police FC 2 (Todd Ryan 42’, Keon Wilson 90’+) vs Central FC 2 (Marvin Oliver 48’, Willis Plaza 79’) (QF 4)

Central won the match 4-3 on kicks from the penalty mark

Police FC 3 v Central FC 4
Todd Ryan (scored) - Marvin Oliver (scored)
Jibri Mc David (scored) - Willis Plaza (scored)
Clevon Mc Fee (scored) - Leston Paul (scored)
Jasimar Ashers (off target) - Sean De Silva (scored)
Kareem Freitas (saved)

Teams

Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Marvin Phillip; 4.Ordell Flemming, 9.Eugine Kirwan (23.Shaquille Edwards 76th), 12.Kareem Joseph, 13.Kyle Bartholomew, 14.Kennedy Isles (29.Kareem Knights 82nd), 15.Otev Lawrence, 18.Akeem Roach, 20.Jamal Harvey (11.Abdallah Phillips 71st), 21.Densill Theobald, 22.Jameel Neptune

Unused substitutes: 3.Ranaldo Bailey, 10.Sheldon Holder, 24.Gregory President, 30.Anthony Whyte

Coach: Jerry Moe

Defence Force: 25.Sheldon Clarke; 2.Glynn Franklyn, 4.Dave Long, 7.Jelani Felix (30.Kishon Seecharan 67th), 8.Curtis Gonzales, 13.Marvin Jones, 17.Ross Russell Jr., 18.Sean Narcis (52.Stephen Campbell 46th), 23.Kerry Joseph (9.Devorn Jorsling 46th), 26.Richard Roy, 99.Jerwyn Balthazar

Unused substitutes: 6.Rodell Elcock, 12.Jemel Sebro, 16.Kellon Serette, 80.Aaron Enil (GK)

Coach: Marvin Gordon

Match Referee: Gordon Maloney

Teams

Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette; 5.Anton Hutchinson, 6.Jibri Mc David, 8.Kurdell Brathwaite (2.Jasimar Ashers 90th), 9.Makasi Lewis (39.Keon Wilson 82nd), 11.Shaquille Nesbit (10.Kareem Freitas 70th), 15.Jameel Perry, 19.Christon Thomas, 20.Elijah Belgrave, 21.Todd Ryan (Capt.), 29.Clevon Mc Fee

Unused substitutes: 1.Akeemo Williams (GK), 23.Kevin Joel Lewis, 36.Dylon King, 38.Kadeem Boyce

Coach: Richard Hood

Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams (Capt.); 12.Jamal Jack, 24.Kevon Villaroel, 17.Marcelle Francois, 2.Elton John, 10.Marvin Oliver, 8.Sean De Silva, 22.Leston Paul, 99.Marcus Joseph (33.Willis Plaza 55th), 5.Akeem Benjamin, 7.Jason Marcano (11.Darren Mitchell 70th)

Unused substitutes: 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 6.Kerry Baptiste, 19.Nathaniel Garcia, 26.Mickaeel Gem Gordon

Coach: Ross Russell

Referee: Keilon Bacchus

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of First Citizens Cup Quarterfinal matches featuring Morvant Caledonia United vs Defence Force, and Central FC vs Police FC

[Flex]

Couva Clásico! W Connection and Central snag First Citizens Cup final spots.
ttproleague.com.

Morvant Caledonia United and Club Sando bow out at semis stage despite brave efforts

Willis Plaza scored on either side of the break, taking his First Citizens Cup (FCC) 2015 tally to five goals, while steering two-time defending champions Central FC to a 4-0 triumph over tournament debutants Club Sando and a place in next Friday’s final against Couva-rivals W Connection.

Plaza, who nicknamed himself the ‘Great White’, relative to his club’s nickname Couva Sharks, scored in the 22nd and 64th minutes during last night’s second game of the semi-final round double header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, while teammates Jason Marcano and substitute Kerry Baptiste grabbed a goal each.

The score-line eclipsed that of a 3-0 win achieved by six-time former First Citizens Cup champions W Connection over two-time former Morvant Caledonia United (MCU) in the earlier semi-final at the Couva venue.

The last time out, Connection and MCU played to a 1-1 draw in the Digicel Pro League on Tuesday, but last night the Savonetta Boys proved the better on the knockout stage.

“They (Connection) showed a little more desire coming off the draw we had against them [earlier this week],” said MCU veteran midfielder Abdallah Phillips after the defeat. “When we finally decided to play it was already too late.”

Shahdon Winchester and Jomal Williams scored a goal each in a space of two minutes to take a two-goal cushion at the break before an added-on-time stunner from Andre Toussaint sealed the 3-0 W Connection win.

Winchester put Connection ahead 1-0 in the 27th minute when he headed past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip off a right side corner swung in by teenager Aikim Andrews.

And one minute later Phillip was beaten again after his defence hung him out to dry.

Phillips had, seconds earlier, blanked a strike from Neil Benjamin Jr., but when the W Connection winger whipped a low ball across the six-yard area, the Calé goalie stood without guard and Williams (J) made it 2-0 from close range.

The Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper followed up with decent saves in the closing stages of the first half, denying Alvin Jones and Benjamin, however there was little he could do over the 90th minute mark against a superb Toussaint strike.

In the third of five minutes stoppage time, Toussaint completed a counterattack, which started from defending a MCU corner kick, when he unleashed a low left-footed strike into the into the bottom corner of Phillip’s goal for a 3-0 score after breezing past a last-ditch-effort from Kyle Bartholomew.

“I had fun today,” admitted the 34-year-old Toussaint, who re-joined Connection prior to the start of the season. “But it’s all down to hard work and professionalism which starts from (the training field). It motivates a player once he is professional [about the game] and makes up his mind to play his best. And to have teammates with such quality that I am around also motivates a player.”

Jomal Williams, who also scored against MCU earlier this week, said, “The game started very intense tonight. Caledonia are a very good team, they put down the ball and play a passing game… and so do we. But we passed the ball faster, more intense, and took our chances when we got them and came out on top.”

MCU’s chances were rare, and the best came prior to Toussaint’s goal when a stoppage-time Kareem Joseph free-kick forced goalkeeper Julani Archibald into a great save to put the ball behind for a corner.

“It was a learning experience for our team [with a number of new players to the Pro League],” continued MCU’s Phillips. “Too much individual errors cost us the game. Our new players realise now that W Connection (are) a tough team to face back to back. I thought our mentality wasn’t right for the game. A semi-final is like a final and from the start we didn’t show that desire and effort. They (W Connection) won the first half and we did well in the second half but didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”

As Club Sando and Central made their way through the players’ tunnel for the start of the second semi-final, Jomal Williams told ttproleague.com he would like to meet Central in the final on Friday 30 October.

“It’s a rivalry,” added the Connection midfielder. “…and in the previous two seasons we were head-to-head. It will also do well for the (FCC) tournament.”

The efforts of Plaza, Marcano, Marvin Oliver, Jamal Jack and company, unknowingly, granted the W Connection player’s wish in setting up the Couva Clasico, the second this season after Central edged the Savonetta Boys for the Charity Shield on September 11.

However the FCC final will definitely have more bite to it with the crystal trophy and $110,000 going to the champions, while the defeated finalists must settle for the much lesser $20,000 runners-up take.

The second semi-final had final written all over it, entertaining an estimated 1200 spectators from kick-off to the game-ending tweet-tweet of referee Rodphin Harris’ whistle.

It was the clash of the two giants in their own rights: the reigning Digicel Pro League champions, Central FC, and last season’s Super League champions Club Sando.

Plaza had said Club Sando would be a “walkover”. He was wrong. Club Sando played their hearts out, especially in defence, and created a number of scares for the Couva Sharks.

But Plaza also said, prior to last night’s semi-final, Sando are new and haven’t faced the best yet and that he always view Central as the best. It turned out he was right.

The Trinidad and Tobago international forward backed up his remarks with goals in either half, and looked the part of a player full in confidence and ability throughout the encounter.

Plaza made it 1-0 by rifling a left footed strike past a fully sprawled Sando goalkeeper Kelvin Henry, who had denied him earlier, after controlling a Kevon Villaroel pass into the left of the area.

But it was midfielder Sean De Silva who should have opened the scoring from as early as the 15th minute when Plaza fed a neat return pass into the area. However the midfielder took a touch too much allowing Henry to avert danger.

Jason Marcano, who struck inches wide of the target four minutes earlier, cushioned Central 2-0 in the 30th minute when he hooked a left-footed strike past Henry after a solo run which clearly confused the Sando defence.

In the second half following two wasted scoring opportunities, Plaza made it 3-0, hitting past Henry from above the six yard area following quick exchanges between Oliver and Marcano from a corner.

It was Plaza’s eight goal in six games, in all competitions, while Central later celebrated an 8-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

The resistance of Sando, however, wasn’t flattened, and of course the rowdy fan support, “Let’s go! Let’s go! Sando!” didn’t die.

Central and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams was twice forced into world-class saves, denying Akeem Humphrey in the 18th minute and Anthony Parris in the 78th minute, while teammate and hat-trick scorer against St. Ann’s Rangers in the quarter-finals, Kevon “Showtime” Woodley, despite a good fight, should have at least found the back of the net once.

Plaza was denied a third in the 71st minute before being replaced by veteran forward Kerry Baptiste two minutes later.

Baptiste then completed the 4-0 victory with a goal in the fourth minute of added-on time when he lifted a strike over Henry following a perfectly-timed defence-splitting Marcano pass from midfield.

Marcano, with a goal and two assists, was brilliant throughout.

Sando and Central will meet again as early as Tuesday (27 October) in Round One Match Day Three of the Digicel Pro League 2015-16 from 6 pm at the Mahaica Oval, following which W Connection are against home side Civic at the Point Fortin venue.

Also in Tuesday’s DPL fixtures, North East Stars will host St. Ann’s Rangers from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium; and at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Morvant Caledonia United are against Police FC from 6 pm before Defence Force meet San Juan Jabloteh from 8 pm.

Results

W Connection 3 (Shahdon Winchester 27’, Jomal Williams 28’, Andre Toussaint 90’+3) vs Morvant Caledonia United 0

Club Sando 0 vs Central FC 4 (Willis Plaza 22’, 64’, Jason Marcano 30’, Kerry Baptiste 90’+4)

Teams

W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald; 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams, 4.Maurice Ford, 5.Triston Hodge, 9.Shahdon Winchester (Yellow Card) (19.Dwight Quintero 63rd), 10.Jomal Williams (8.Briel Thomas 70th) (Yellow Card), 11.Neil Benjamin Jr., 14.Andre Toussaint (Yellow Card), 16.Alvin Jones (Capt.) (Yellow Card), 17.Aikim Andrews (21.Shannon Gomez 77th).

Unused substitutes: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK), 34.Jabari Mitchell, 25.Christian Filipe Ocoro Viveros, 48.Stiven Lopez Concha

Coach: Stuart Charles Fevrier

Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Marvin Phillip; 4.Ordell Flemming, 9.Eugine Kirwan (10.Sheldon Holder 70th), 12.Kareem Joseph (Yellow Card), 13.Kyle Bartholomew, 14.Kennedy Isles, 15.Otev Lawrence (3.Ranaldo Bailey 46th), 18.Akeem Roach, 20.Jamal Harvey (11.Abdallah Phillips 44th), 21.Densill Theobald, 22.Jameel Neptune

Unused substitutes: 23.Shaquille Edwards, 24.Gregory President, 30.Anthony Whyte, 29.Kareem Knights

Coach: Jerry Moe

Match Referee: Gyasi Mc Donald

Teams

Club Sando: 34.Kelvin Henry; 4.Anthony Parris (Capt.) (Yellow Card), 5.Devon Drayton, 6.Kemuel Rivers, 7.Akeem Humphrey, 9.Jesse Downing (10.Kevon Neaves 65th), 11.Teba Mc Knight, 26.Kevon Woodley, 17.Jared London (15.Amrit Gildharry 80th), 22.Corneal Thomas, 24.Devon Modeste

Substitutes: 8.Jeromie Williams, 18.Shane Hospidales, 20.Keith Williams, 21.Kerron Mitchell, 33.Alexei Julien (GK),

Coach: Anthony Streete

Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams (Capt.); 7.Jason Marcano, 8.Sean De Silva (25.Elijah Manners 78th), 10.Marvin Oliver (23.Jean-Luc Rochford 83rd), 11.Darren Mitchell, 12.Jamal Jack, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 17.Marcelle Francois, 24.Kevon Villaroel, 33.Willis Plaza (Yellow Card) (6.Kerry Baptiste 73rd), 22.Leston Paul (Yellow Card)

Unused substitutes: 30.Akel Clarke, 14.Nicholas Dillon, 99.Marcus Joseph, 26.Mickaeel Jem Gordon,

Coach: Ross Russell

Referee: Rodphin Harris

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of First Citizens Cup Semifinals. W-Connection 3-0 Morvant Caledonia United, Central FC 4-0 Club Sando.

[Flex]

W Connection dethrone Central to claim seventh First Citizens Cup.
ttproleague.com.

Jomal’s winner and assist steer Savonetta Boys to First Citizens Cup glory after 7 years; Club Sando takes third as captain Anthony Parris shines on emotional farewell.

Jomal Williams tucked away a gorgeous winner after setting up an equaliser to help W Connection rally from a goal down to dethrone rivals Central FC as First Citizens Cup champions on Friday night.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Jomal. “I’m really happy to be the one to set up the first goal then the winner in a game like this.”

Jomal said his team’s performance had a lot to with “winning confidence and revenge after being second to Central for most of recent times.

“Our attitude and professionalism in this game along with the drive to be champions for the first time in a very long time had everything to do with it.

“During the half time break and a goal down we realised the only chance is to give everything. It was a final. In the second half we worked harder as a team.”

Before a crowd of two thousand that packed the covered section of the Ato Boldon Stadium, a lifted pass by Jomal in the 69th minute had set Shahdon Winchester free, and although sandwiched between two defenders the forward slipped the ball through the legs of an advancing goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams for a 1-1 score.

It was a treat for fans, although trying to remain devoted to their respective sides as the two-time defending champions, Central FC, and six-time former champions, W Connection, battled it out fiercely in the latest Couva-Clásico.

Central had taken a 1-0 lead five minutes before the break, as spectators erupted into excitement at the Couva venue when midfielder Sean De Silva ran onto a cheeky Willis Plaza heeled pass inside the area and smashed the ball past Connection goalkeeper Julani Archibald and into the far netting.

That goal came as spectators were just settling back into their seats after a Winchester strike had rattled the Central crossbar two minutes earlier.

Spectators were off seats again during the break, this time for tasty corn soup and doubles distributed free, thanks to title sponsor, First Citizens, who also did giveaways and prizes for spectators during the night, with body boards for kids, two flat screen television sets as door prizes, appliances, and an entertaining cheerleading showdown. First Citizens setting the bar in local football entertainment and the tournament lived up to the hype, producing an average of 4.1 goals per game (41 goals from 10 games), some of them spectacular strikes.

Winchester, who finished with three goals along with teammate Jomal, was denied a second time by the crossbar in the 79th minute as both sides continued on missed opportunities.

However Connection had taken the lead 2-1 three minutes earlier when crafty midfielder Jomal executed a perfectly placed curling right-footer into the far netting of Jan-Michael’s netting, signalling an end to the Central’s two-year rule of the First Citizens Cup, one of seven honours achieved last season, including the Digicel Pro League and Caribbean Club Championship.

Central FC head coach Ross Russell reacted by dispatching three more forwards, Nicholas Dillon, Marcus Joseph and Mickaeel Jem Gordon, but 2-1 it stood at the end.

Connection, who added insult to injury by giving striker Dwight Quintero a late run at his former side, did just enough, with a couple defensive changes, to hold off Central and in the process, snapped the Couva Sharks nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

In the previous six meetings, Central had defeated Connection three times, including the 2015 Caribbean Club Championship final and the 2015-16 season-opening Digicel Charity Shield, and had two drawn matches. While the Savonetta Boys’ previous victory was 13 months ago in the 2014 Charity Shield.

When the curtain finally came down on Friday night, Central forward Willis Plaza finished as the First Citizens Cup 2015 Top Scorer with 5 goals, but the Couva Sharks, champions of 2013 and 2014, had to settle for runners-up medals and the accompanying $20,000 while W Connection, winners in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, etched their name in 2015.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Jomal as he beamed with pride. “The atmosphere is great as you can see. It’s something we really wanted for our president (David John-Williams) and coach (Stuart Charles-Fevrier) and the rest of the staff. This means a lot for the club.”

Yes, Connection finally had grip on the crystal trophy after seven long years and received the $110,000 champions’ prize.

“A final is a final but because Central were the most dominant team last year, it really satisfying to show that we can defeat them when it matters most,” W Connection head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier said of his team’s victory.

“We have a very young squad and tonight I am very pleased that we were able to dethrone Central, who are also the champions of the league last season. It says a lot to defeat the champions in a final.

“It was a keenly contested game but we showed that we deserved the win. We created much more goalscoring opportunities and at the end we won the game. We definitely showed that we were fitting champions.

“It’s a nice feeling because last year we didn’t win any [major] competition, only the (Digicel) Charity Shield.”

Charles-Fevrier also said that he is “quite pleased” in the progress shown by his young players. He said that while his job is a challenge in trying to develop his players as professionals, it’s a challenge he welcomes.

Charles-Fevrier, the eventual Coach of the Tournament, added, “Today is a step in the right direction. It will also give us confidence for the rest of the season. We want to try to win everything this season. It’s always our goal to win everything we compete in, and it won’t be different this season.”

Jomal picked up the final MVP award while Club Sando, tournament newcomers, also joined winners-row as third place medal receivers and the accompanying $10,000 after defeating Morvant Caledonia United (MCU) 4-2 in the earlier match at the Couva venue.

Club Sando captain Anthony Parris shined on an emotional farewell while teammate Akeem Humphrey netted a double.

Parris said goodbye in style on Friday night with a goal and two assists to pace Club Sando for a 4-2 win over MCU.

The 24-year-old Sando captain, less than two months into his first season at the Pro League, said goodbye to his club after agreeing on a move to Super League outfit Prisons FC, where he is expected to later join the Trinidad and Tobago Prisons Service.

“It was an honour to be the first captain of the young men at Club Sando in the Pro League,” Parris told ttproleague.com after Friday’s third place play-off of the First Citizens Cup.

Parris said he had sleepless nights after receiving the call from Prisons on Monday, deliberating whether or not to leave Sando.

“I thought about my future in terms of employment and I decided to join Prisons. My heart is with Club Sando but my head is with Prisons.”

Parris is expected to begin training with Prisons FC today (Saturday) and is hoping to be part of his new team’s squad against Cunupia on Tuesday.

Commenting on Sando’s third place finish in the FCC, the outgoing captain said, “This is our first participation at the First Citizens Cup and third place isn’t bad.”

It was off Parris’ strike which rebounded off MCU’s Canadian-born goalkeeper Anthony Whyte to allow forward Kevon Woodley a simple task of tapping in his fourth goal of the tournament.

Parris was involved again in the 26th minute when his perfect cross allowed Akeem Humphrey to control beyond defender Shaquille Holder and rifle past Whyte, restoring Sando’s one-goal lead after MCU forward Eugine Kirwan had tied the scores on the 20th minute.

Humphrey was credited with Sando’s third item and his second on the night after Woodley’s attempt in the 34th minute cannoned off the far upright and off the midfielder to enter the MCU net.

Parris then made it 4-1 on the stroke of half-time when he pounced on a spill by goalkeeper Whyte on a Woodley attempt.

Sando goalkeeper Alexei Julien was brilliant on the night but there was little he could do when MCU substitutes Kareem Joseph and Kennedy Isles combined in the 66th minute for the latter to score a rocket, for a 2-4 deficit but that’s how the score-line stood in the end.

Following the match Club Sando head coach Anthony Streete, said, “It was important for Club Sando to do well because we have a support base and we want it to grow. It was important for us to step up to the task. The players understood that, although they were a bit complacent in the second half. They felt they had the game covered 4-1 at half-time. I keep talking about the bringing the fans back out to the football and that’s our main objective at Sando. I always tell my players stop blaming the people for not coming out if you’re not raising the standard of play.”

First Citizens Cup 2015 Final

W Connection 2 (Shahdon Winchester 69’, Jomal Williams 76’) vs Central FC 1 (Sean De Silva 40’)

Third Place Play-Off

Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Eugine Kirwan 20’, Kennedy Isles 66’) vs Club Sando 4 (Kevon Woodley 16’, Akeem Humphrey 26’, 34’, Anthony Parris 45’+1)

Teams

W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald; 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams, 5.Triston Hodge, 9.Shahdon Winchester, 10.Jomal Williams, 11.Neil Benjamin Jr., 14.Andre Toussaint (19.Dwight Quintero 80th), 16.Alvin Jones (Capt.), 17.Aikim Andrews (21.Shannon Gomez 58th), 25.Christian Ocoro Viveros (8.Briel Thomas 46th)

Unused substitutes: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK), 4.Maurice Ford, 34.Jabari Mitchell, 48.Stiven Lopez Concha

Coach: Stuart Charles Fevrier

Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams (Capt.); 7.Jason Marcano (14.Nicholas Dillon 70th), 8.Sean De Silva, 10.Marvin Oliver (99.Marcus Joseph 73rd), 11.Darren Mitchell (26.Mickaeel Jem Gordon 80th), 12.Jamal Jack, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 17.Marcelle Francois, 24.Kevon Villaroel, 33.Willis Plaza, 22.Leston Paul

Unused substitutes: 30.Akel Clarke, 6.Kerry Baptiste, 23.Jean-Luc Rochford, 25.Elijah Manners

Coach: Ross Russell

Match Referee: Rodphin Harris

Teams

Morvant Caledonia United: 30.Anthony Whyte; 2.Shomari Antione (14.Kennedy Isles 57th), 3.Ranaldo Bailey, 4.Ordell Flemming, 5.Daniel Whyte, 9.Eugine Kirwan, 10.Sheldon Holder, 18.Akeem Roach, 20.Jamal Harvey (11.Abdallah Phillips 30th), 23.Shaquille Edwards, 24.Gregory President (12.Kareem Joseph 57th)

Unused substitutes: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK), 13.Kyle Bartholomew, 21.Densill Theobald, 26.Jamal Roach

Coach: Jerry Moe

Club Sando: 33.Alexei Julien; 4.Anthony Parris (Capt.) (24.Devon Modeste 67th); 5.Devon Drayton, 6.Kemuel Rivers, 7.Akeem Humphrey, 8.Jeromie Williams (20.Keith Williams 75th), 11.Teba Mc Knight, 15.Amrit Gildharry, 16.Kevon Woodley, 17.Jared London, 22.Corneal Thomas.

Unused substitutes: 18.Shane Hospidales, 19.Ryan Frederick, 21.Kerron Mitchell, 34.Kelvin Henry (GK), 26.Shaquille Holder

Coach: Anthony Streete

Match Referee: Mervyn Wallace

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of W-Connection's 2-1 victory over Central FC in the final of the 2015 First Citizens Cup.

[Sando prince]

WATCH: Highlights of W-Connection's 2-1 victory over Central FC in the final of the 2015 First Citizens Cup.

[Tallman]

Winners will reign! PL announces increased First Citizens Cup winnings with new prize money structure
ttproleague.com

The champions of this season’s First Citizens Cup can walk away with a maximum of TT$125,000 – twenty-five thousand more than previous editions – due to a new prize money scheme installed by Trinidad and Tobago professional league’s governing body, the TT Pro League.

For the first time in the tournament’s 17-year history, all teams will be rewarded with cash bonuses courtesy of First Citizens for each win throughout the tournament. In the semi-final round, winners are to receive TT$7,000 while in the quarter-final and play-off rounds, winners are to receive TT$5,000 and TT$3,000 respectively. The overall champions will receive TT$110,000 and TT$20,000 to the runners-up.

Formerly “No room for losers”, the First Citizens Cup will now run under the new theme “Winners will reign”.

All this, along with the match-ups for the 2016 First Citizens Cup, were revealed during the launch of the 2016 edition on Thursday morning at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain.

Reigning champions W Connection, and former champions Central FC and Morvant Caledonia United all avoided the play-offs along with St. Ann’s Rangers, Police and Point Fortin Civic during a random draw supervised by Pro League (PL) CEO Dexter Skeene.

To trim the 10 league clubs for the quarter-final round of eight, the random draw pitted Club Sando against Defence Force (6pm) and San Juan Jabloteh against Ma Pau Stars (8pm) in the play-offs on Tuesday Nov. 8 at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Jabloteh head coach, Keith Jeffrey, welcomed the play-off match-up with Ma Pau Stars—who boasts the likes of T&T World Cup 2006 members Carlos Edwards, Jason Scotland and Anthony Wolfe—saying that the Sangre Grande outfit which his side edged 1-0 in the league competition two weeks ago is “easy to beat”.

In the quarter-final round, thanks to their placements in the random draw, Police FC will tackle Point Fortin Civic and Central FC are against Morvant Caledonia United, while St. Ann’s Rangers and W Connection must take on the play-off winners between Club Sando/Defence Force and Ma Pau Stars/San Juan Jabloteh, respectively.

The quarter-final round is scheduled for the weekend of Nov. 12-13 and the semi-finals on Nov. 22, before the tournament culminates on Dec. 2 with the final.

“I am confident that this year's First Citizens Cup will be the most exciting one ever,” said Skeene during his opening remarks at Thursday’s launch.

The PL boss added, “It’s going to be awesome. Winners will reign. Communities will win. The players and coaches will feel the excitement and raise their standards. (And) I will be asking all the teams regardless of the results to after every game acknowledge and thank the spectators.”

Skeene also revealed that added to TT$1,000 incentives for the 2016 First Citizens Cup’s leading goal scorer, player of the tournament and coach of the tournament, there will also be a prize for the team with the best support ‘Posse’ (in terms of numbers, voice, uniformity, and creativity) while two TVs are among spectator giveaways.

First Citizens understand and epitomize the value, power, spirit and vision of what can be achieved when there is collective focus on living the big picture according to Skeene. He added, “[First Citizens], the flag bearer for the ingenuity, indomitable will, entrepreneurship and the full potential of us as a nation and people – the indigenous true blue Trinbagonian financial institution giant, has shared the vision over the years through thick and thin, tough times, standing with us (League) hand in hand. Communities win. Unity, peace, sustainable progress and growth can be achieved.”

The PL also hopes to schedule at least two quarter-final fixtures of one of its most prestigious tournaments—the First Citizens Cup into the communities, an enterprise applauded by coaches and club managers present, and Kurt Headley, Head of Retail at First Citizens.

“…now is the time to show all what you have got!” Headley told players and coaches during his remarks. “Football, like many other sports in Trinidad and Tobago, evokes a wealth of support from fans. The encouragement helps to keep you the players inspired on the field, yielding camaraderie and sportsmanship amongst team members.

“This year we hope to attract even more of this support with appropriately scheduled matches as well as fantastic prizes and promotional giveaways,” added Headley, who applauded the PL for its continued energy into finding innovative ways to improve the standard of local football while mentoring young people, not just into professional athletes, but well-rounded individuals.

The Morvant Recreation Ground, which will host its second ever PL fixture this Sunday in the Digicel Pro League when home team Morvant Caledonia United welcome Defence Force from 3:45pm (see full Round One Match Day Six DPL fixtures below), is one of the community venues air marked to host quarter-final fixtures in the First Citizens Cup.

“Sport can make a huge, tangible and powerful difference to our country,” Skeene believes. “If communities win; unity and peace will win. The TT Pro League’s DNA is in the communities. Until this year we haven’t been able to show that in a definitive way. On Sunday October 16 we created TT Pro League history when the first ever Pro League game was played at the Morvant Recreation Ground – the response was awesome.”

Estimates ranged between 17oo and 2000 when Morvant Caledonia hosted Jabloteh at the Park Street venue in Morvant. The hosts fell to a 4-2 defeat but the turnout of supporters that flocked the Morvant Recreation Ground restored a high level of pride in the community.

“The Pro League in the communities is a dream and goal we have worked on relentlessly and tirelessly for over a decade,” continued Skeene. “It was an annual rite of passage that I would have a meeting with the Ministry of Sport and Sport Company every year.”

Skeene thanked the Honourable Minister of Sport, Mr. Darryl Smith, the Ministry of Sport, the Sport Company, and in particular Mr. Anthony Blake of the Sport Company for their sterling efforts which are ongoing, together with the regional corporation. He said, “We must continue to work with the regional corporations, the Sport Company and the ministry to roll out a venue for each club represented in the TT Pro League.”

Action in the Digicel Pro League continues this weekend with a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday Nov. 4 with leaders Central against Police FC from 6pm and W Connection against St. Ann’s Rangers in a top-of-the-table clash from 8pm.

The Couva venue will host another DPL double-header on Sunday Nov. 6 with Jabloteh against Civic from 4pm and Club Sando against Ma Pau Stars from 6pm, while Morvant Caledonia United tackle Defence Force from 3:45pm at the Morvant Recreation Ground.

First Citizens Cup 2016
Play-off Round
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Ato Boldon Stadium
Club Sando vs Defence Force—6pm
Ma Pau Stars vs San Juan Jabloteh—8pm

Quarter Final Round
(November 12-13)

Semi Final Round
(November 22)

Final
(December 2)

Digicel Pro League 2016
Round One Match Day Six
(Friday, November 04, 2016)
Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs Police FC—6pm
W Connection vs St. Ann’s Rangers—8pm

(Sunday, November 06, 2016)
Morvant Recreation Ground
Morvant Caledonia United vs Defence Force—3:45pm

Ato Boldon Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh vs Point Fortin Civic—4pm
Club Sando vs Ma Pau Stars—6pm

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/1K-snrx86uU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/1K-snrx86uU</a>

[Flex]

Samuel calls on Soca Warriors coach to take notice after steering Ma Pau Stars into FCC quarters.
ttproleague.com.

10-man D/Force and Ma Pau Stars advance into First Citizens Cup after trumping Sando and Jabloteh, respectively

Former Trinidad and Tobago Youth World Cup goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel was in remarkable form on Tuesday night with three saves in a penalty shootout to send Ma Pau Stars into the quarter-finals of the 2016 First Citizens Cup.

Ma Pau finished 3-1 winners over San Juan Jabloteh thanks to the brilliance of their goalkeeper on kicks from the spot following a 1-1 draw in the second game of a play-off double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Defence Force, in the earlier play-off, thanks to a second half Hashim Arcia strike, edged Club Sando 1-0 despite losing attacker Darryl Trim to a direct red card moments before the break.

Two-time former champions Defence Force advances into the quarter-final play on Saturday against St. Ann’s Rangers from 4pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium followed by Ma Pau Stars against First Citizens Cup holders and seven-time champions W Connection from 6pm, all determined by a random draw.

And as part of an increased prize money scheme in the First Citizens Cup, which will see bonuses for each win throughout the tournament, both play-off winners walked away $3,000 richer.

Quarter-final action continues on Sunday with two-time champions Central FC against Morvant Caledonia United from 3:30pm at the Morvant Recreation Ground, and on Monday, Police FC and Point Fortin Civic will tackle each other from 6pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Jabloteh, who tied the game nine minutes from time through substitute Kennedy Hinkson, had a solid start in the shootout. Goalkeeper Andrew Durant had denied Stars’ midfielder Elton John before defender Josiah Trimmingham powered the San Juan club’s first kick past Samuel.

But Samuel, who was unlucky to concede the equaliser after getting glove to Hinkson’s header—only to see it crash off the upright before entering at the opposite end—went on to deny Tyrone Charles, who curled an attempt inches wide during regular time, Nathan Lewis and Kion Joseph in the shootout.

Neil Mitchell, Keryn Navarro and Haydon Tinto were clinical from the spot for Ma Pau Stars who had led the game on 57 minutes through Kerry Daniel.

Daniel rounded off a wonderful team move by firing past Durant on a rebound after the former Guyana shot-stopper had flung himself to keep out a crack from Hayden Tinto.

Kareem Baptiste had initiated the attack from the Stars half after escaping two challenges before finding Kerry Baptiste, who slipped a pass wide to Jerrel Britto. Britto then provided the telling cross for Tinto to create the initial scoring opportunity.

Britto, who failed to put the Stars ahead after 10 minutes, had a breakaway ten minutes from time with Jabloteh captain Damian Williams and defender Jevon Morris in chase but anxiously guided left-footed attempt wide of Durant’s far upright.

Soon after Ma Pau were made to pay when Hinkson equalised with a low header after Jabloteh increased the tempo through the arrival of speedy winger Nathan Lewis off the bench for his first appearance this season since being shot in the shoulder during a drive-by shooting in his Maloney hometown last September.

Jabloteh head coach Keith Jeffrey had summoned Lewis soon after conceding.

However, with Samuel keen on making a statement intended for Trinidad and Tobago head coach Stephen Hart ahead of two upcoming World Cup 2018 qualifying matches against Costa Rica (November 11, home) and Honduras (November 15, away), it just wasn’t Jabloteh’s night after all.

“I just wanted to show coach Hart that a good goalkeeper in Trinidad isn’t selected [for the qualifiers] and I hope he would take a closer look at me,” said Samuel, T&T’s goalkeeper at both the 2007 FIFA Under-17 and 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cups.

Samuel was selected as a third choice goalie behind regulars Jan-Michael Williams and Marvin Phillip by Hart for a four-nation Cup in Saudi Arabia in Sep. 2013.

The 26-year-old former Joe Public and Caledonia AIA goalie was also selected as third choice behind Phillip and Adrian Foncette for a three-game Soca Warriors friendly tour against Uruguay, Peru and China between May 23 and June 3 this year and back then Hart was quoted as saying, “(…)it’s a good for him (Glenroy) to push for selection.”

For now, though, Samuel said he is committed on improving as a goalkeeper and credits the support of his mother, Donna Samuel, his Ma Pau teammates, coaching staff, and supporters of the Sangre Grande based club.

Earlier at the Couva venue on Tuesday night, Arcia’s second half strike made the difference for Defence Force as coach Marvin Gordon’s side progressed to next weekend’s quarter-final play at the expense of Sando.

Defence Force had finally made use of their possession advantage eight minutes inside the second period when Arcia, who had earlier attempts on either side of the break, steered home a Jemel Sebro cross past Sando goalkeeper Stefan Berkeley.

“The game got even more exciting when we went down a player,” said Defence Force hard-man Curtis Gonzales. “That’s the sort of challenge Defence Force rise to. It brought out the soldier in us knowing we had to work extra hard. It was a plus for us and we came away with the result we wanted.”

Trim, only on his second appearance for Defence Force, was given his marching orders by referee Gyasi Mc Donald two minutes from the break with a direct red card for a challenge on Sando’s defensive midfielder Jared London.

Less than two minutes into the second half Sando’s Sharkeel Donatien was lucky, only seeing yellow out of Mc Donald’s pocket after a rash challenge on Gonzales.

Sando coach Angus Eve had responded immediately after conceding, by replacing forward Anthony Guppy with former Defence Force attacker Akeem Roach—and the 20-year-old along with forwards Kevon Piper and Keron Cornwall, both also off the bench, did give Sando the needed lift, but not the required goals.

Defence Force were resolute in their defending, while Devorn Jorsling was enough to cause problems at the back for Sando as the lone man up front.

Results

First Citizens Cup 2016
Play-off Round
(Tuesday, November 8, 2016)

Club Sando 0 vs Defence Force 1 (Hashim Arcia 53’), at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Kennedy Hinkson 81’) vs Ma Pau Stars 1 (Kerry Daniel 57’)
Ma Pau Stars won the game 3-1 on kicks from the penalty mark, at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Kicks from the penalty spot

Ma Pau Stars 3                       San Juan Jabloteh 1
Elton John (saved)                  Josiah Trimmingham (scored)
Neil Mitchell (scored)             Tyrone Charles (saved)
Keryn Navarro (scored)          Nathan Lewis (saved)
Hayden Tinto (scored)            Kion Joseph (saved)

Teams

Club Sando: 1.Stefan Berkeley (GK), 7.Akeem Humphrey (Capt.), 10.Shaquille Holder, 14.Anthony Guppy (13.Akeem Roach 54th minute), 15.Kaashif Thomas (8.Kevon Piper 64th minute), 16.Anderson Toussaint (Yellow Card), 17.Jared London (9.Keron Cornwall 68th minute), 19.Leslie Joel Russell, 21.Sharkeel Donatien (Yellow Card), 23.Nicholas Thomas, 29.Keithy Simpson.

Unused substitutes: 34.Kelvin Henry (GK), 11.Joel Kevin Lewis, 12.Michael Basdeo.

Coach: Angus Eve

Defence Force: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK), 3.Jamali Garcia, 9.Devorn Jorsling (2.Glynn Franklyn 93rd minute), 10.Hashim Arcia (37.Cassim Kellar 79th minute), 12.Jemel Sebro (19.Thurlani George 71st minute), 13.Marvin Jones, 14.Darryl Trim (Red Card), 17.Curtis Gonzales, 21.Aklie Edwards, 26.Justin Garcia, 99.Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.).

Unused substitutes: 1.Andre Marchan (GK), 15.Brandon Fountain, 22.Anthony Charles, 35.Tirek George

Coach: Marvin Gordon

Referee: Gyasi Mc Donald

Teams

San Juan Jabloteh: 35.Andrew Durant (GK), 5.Elijah Manners (27.Nathan Lewis 62nd minute), 7.Jamal Gay, 8.Keyon Edwards (12.Kion Joseph 62nd minute), 10.Tyrone Charles, 11.Damian Williams (Capt.), 16.Brent Sam (23.Kennedy Hinkson 74th minute), 17.Josiah Trimmingham, 18.Jevon Morris, 19.Noel Williams, 21.Aquil Selby (Yellow Card).

Unused substitutes: 36.Raheem Belgrave (GK), 6.Akeem Benjamin, 15.Jerome Mc Intyre.

Coach: Keith Jeffrey

Ma Pau Stars: 22.Glenroy Samuel (GK), 2.Carlos Edwards (Capt.), 4.Kerry Baptiste (6.Neil Mitchell 64th minute), 7.Kerry Daniel, 10.Jerrel Britto, 11.Elton John, 16.Kareem Eastman, 17.Haydon Tinto, 19.Glenton Wolffe, 21.Neil Mitchell (14.Chike Sullivan 64th minute), 25.Keryn Navarro.

Unused substitutes: 1.Shane Mattis (GK), 5.Taryk Sampson, 8.Adrian Noel, 9.Jason Scotland, 12.Sayid Freitas.

Coach: Ross Russell

Referee: Gordon Maloney

Quarter Final Round
(Saturday, November 12, 2016)

Defence Force vs St. Ann’s Rangers—4pm (C) - Ato Boldon Stadium
W Connection vs Ma Pau Stars—6pm (D) - Ato Boldon Stadium

(Sunday, November 13, 2016)

Central FC vs Morvant Caledonia United—3:30pm (B) - Morvant Recreation Ground

(Monday, November 14, 2016)

Police FC vs Point Fortin Civic—6pm (A) - Ato Boldon Stadium

Semi Final Round
(November 22)

A vs D
B vs C

Final
(December 2)

[Tallman]

WATCH: Ma Pau Stars and Defence Force advance to the First Citizens Cup Quarterfinals after wins over San Juan Jabloteh and Club Sando respectively

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/D2b8O4JzsAo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/D2b8O4JzsAo</a>

[Flex]

Defence Force coach tells Rangers don’t “come cocky” as FCC quarter-finals take centre stage this coming weekend
ttproleague.com.

Defence Force head coach Marvin Gordon has issued a stern warning to his First Citizens Cup quarter-final opponents, St. Ann’s Rangers, who had stunned the Army/Coast Guard combination in their opening Digicel Pro League clash this season.

“I don’t know the margin [we will beat them by] but I know if Rangers come cocky, they are going to concede a couple well,” Gordon told ttproleague.com on Tuesday night, following his team’s 1-0 win over Club Sando in the First Citizens Cup play-off round at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Hashim Arcia’s second-half strike made sure the two-time (2002 & 2009) former First Citizens Cup champions, Defence Force, despite losing attacker Darryl Trim to a red card, progressed to meet Rangers, who are into the quarter-finals by virtue of the 2016 random draw.

On Saturday Nov. 12, Defence Force and Rangers will take on each other from 4pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, then from 6pm, First Citizens Cup holders and seven-time champions, W Connection, will clast with Ma Pau Stars, who progressed from Tuesday’s play-off double-header in Couva with a 3-1 penalty win over San Juan Jabloteh following a 1-1 draw.

Quarter-final action continues on Sunday Nov. 13 with two two-time former First Citizens Cup champions, Central FC and Morvant Caledonia United, against each other from 3:30pm at the Morvant Recreation Ground.

And on Monday Nov. 14, Police FC and Point Fortin Civic will tackle each other from 6pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium to decide the final semi-final berth.

“I’m glad we played Club Sando and now we have Rangers – these are two clubs that have defeated us in the league [this season],” continued Gordon. “We are struggling in the league and we know that in the knockouts we have to throw everything at it. We are all working on it and I have no doubt that on Saturday we are going to progress into the semi-finals.”

Defence Force are currently second from bottom on the 10-team league standings after opening with a 2-0 loss against Rangers and conceding three more defeats after six league games, including being on the wrong side of the 3-2 result against Sando on Oct. 21.

“Every game is a tough game in the Pro League,” added the Defence Force coach on Tuesday night. “The coaches have good standards and like to play good football. But Sando had beaten us a few weeks ago after coming back from two goals down. I think my (Defence Force) players had that in their minds tonight.

“I thought the first half we possessed a lot of the ball but weren’t assertive enough in the attacking third [against Sando]. I had a good go at my players in the dressing room at half time, especially Hashim and [Devorn Jorsling] ‘Droggy’.

“But we showed a lot of heart and grit after being down to ten men for so many minutes after the red card, and the goal from Hashim was brilliant,” concluded Gordon.

Defence Force defensive midfielder Curtis Gonzales said, “They (Rangers) beat us in the first [league] game and might be coming on a high. But we know what to expect. We won’t be making the mistakes we made in the first game and if we can add the effort like we did today (Tuesday against Sando), hopefully we would be in the semi-finals.”

Meanwhile, Rangers, coached by former solider Anthony Streete, are fifth on the DPL standings with three wins and a draw from their six league games so far. And despite coming off a loss against W Connection in their most recent league game, team administrator and former coach Jason Spence would like to see the St. Ann’s club transfer their “Cinderella run” into the First Citizens Cup.

Spence admitted the knockouts are always a tougher challenge but believes that Rangers – a side usually known for occupying bottom of the league standings and underdog status – are on the upswing.

While all teams are hoping to advance one step closer to the Dec. 2 final, holders W Connection are hoping to go all the way in securing their eighth First Citizens Cup.

However the Savonetta Boys first challenge is against a star-studded Ma Pau, who are coached by Ross Russell, a former First Citizens Cup-winning coach at Defence Force.

Russell, during the launch of this season’s First Citizens Cup, reminded that the Cup is very close to his heart – being the first ever title he won when he debuted as coach of Defence Force’s top flight team back in 2009.

But Connection assistant coach and former First Citizens Cup winner as a player, Earl Jean, said his team are very excited and hungry to lift—for an eighth time—a title that’s “very special” to the Savonetta Boys.

Jean, though, believes the 2016 edition will be one of the toughest tournaments due to increased level of competitiveness among Pro League clubs.

Quarter Final Round

(Saturday, November 12, 2016)

Defence Force vs St. Ann’s Rangers—4pm (C), Ato Boldon Stadium
W Connection vs Ma Pau Stars—6pm (D), Ato Boldon Stadium

(Sunday, November 13, 2016)

Central FC vs Morvant Caledonia United—3:30pm (B), Morvant Recreation Ground

(Monday, November 14, 2016)

Police FC vs Point Fortin Civic—6pm (A), Ato Boldon Stadium

[Flex]

Ruthless Jorsling hits four against Rangers, D/Force and Ma Pau Stars progress in FCC.
ttproleague.com.

Defence Force forward Devorn Jorsling unleashed all his fury, netting all four goals in his side’s 4-2 win over St. Ann’s Rangers on Saturday as the Army/Coast Guard combination marched into the semi-finals of the 2016 First Citizens Cup.

Jorsling opened his account from the penalty spot before ending with two goals on either side of the half, while Dylon King and substitute Marvin Lee each had a goal in the second period for Rangers, who had stunned the soldiers 2-0 in their opening Digicel Pro League clash this season on Oct. 2.

Ma Pau Stars also progressed to the Nov. 22 semi-finals by ousting First Citizens Cup holders W Connection 3-0 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in the second game of the quarter-final round double-header at the Couva venue.

Defence Force, champions in 2002 and 2009, must await the outcome of Sunday’s quarter-final clash between Central FC and Morvant Caledonia United from 3:30pm at the Morvant Recreation Ground to know their semi-final opponents, while Ma Pau Stars advances to face the winners between Point Fortin Civic and Police, who face each other in the final quarter-final contest on Monday from 6pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Jorsling handed Defence Force a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot on 11 minutes when he sent Rangers goalkeeper Cleon John the wrong way after referee Cecile Hinds ruled a handball against Sedale Mc Lean inside the area.

Jorsling, a former Pro League Player of the Year and multiple-time Golden Boot winner, made it 2-0 in the 19th minute with a sweet left-footed volley off a right side Curtis Gonzales cross, and increased his side’s lead to 3-0 five minutes inside the second after he was picked out in the area by a short Gonzales pass.

Rangers, who were lucky not to concede when Thurlani George rattled John’s crossbar on the half hour mark, managed to pull back two goals in the second half following improved play with King hitting past goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke from above the area in the 53rd minute and substitute Lee -- less than a minute on -- hammering his effort into the roof of the Army net on 72 minutes from a corner.

But Jorsling quelled Rangers’ comeback attempt six minutes. After collecting a pass inside the area, Jorsling steered the ball past ‘keeper John for his fourth and a 4-2 finish in favour of Defence Force, who had edged Club Sando 1-0 last Tuesday in the play-offs.

“It’s a great feeling every time I score, more so to score four,” Jorsling told ttproleague.com after the game. “We had something personal against Rangers [having lost to them in our previous meeting].”

Defence Force are without a win in their last four league games and both Jorsling and head coach Marvin Gordon believe it was important that their side also use the First Citizens Cup to build in confidence and performances as they attempt to climb out of the bottom half of the DPL table.

Gordon praised the performance of Jorsling, saying, “He (Jorsling) is really a big player. He was brilliant tonight in the 18-yard box and when we really needed the fourth goal he got it for the team. A lot of times people criticise him saying ‘he is too slow’ but as coach I have all confidence in him. Year in, year out you will see he is a top striker and I will continue to believe in him.”

But Gordon added that although his team enjoyed the better start by moving the ball well and creating chances for the two early goals, he believes complacency and poor defending by his players allowed Rangers a chance to build in their performance and grow in belief.

“But to the end we were brilliant, pulling ourselves back in with the fourth goal to really widen the gap,” Gordon continued. “I thought we should have scored more goals tonight and I thought defensively we were bad. As a team it is something we have to work on because we won’t get an easier game in the semi-finals and the rest of the competition.”

W Connection, in the second quarter-final on the night, were a well-gelled unit, led by experienced attacking midfielders Andre Toussaint and Hughtun Hector, but poor finishing saw the seven-time former First Citizens Cup champions bow out.

Literally, Connection had camped in the Ma Pau Stars’ half in the first period and had clear-cut second half misses from Kevon Goddard, Jabari Mitchell and Toussaint, while the Stars had left it for late, really flaring up near the end following the arrival of Anthony Wolfe, Kerry Baptiste and Carlos Edwards off the bench to compliment former Connection forward Jerrel Britto.

But after both sides failed to find a winner in regular time, it was down to the penalty shootout in which Connection were still unable to find their scoring boots.

Meanwhile Stars’ goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel, picking up where he left off with three saves in a 3-1 penalty shootout win over San Juan Jabloteh in the play-offs last Tuesday, gave Ma Pau the early advantage by denying Hector on the first kick.

Connection’s miseries grew by every kick from the spot with Baptiste, Edwards and Hayden Tinto, in that order, all clinical against Savonetta Boysgoalkeeper Terrence Lewis, whose teammates Alvin Jones and Kurt Frederick struck the post from the spot.

“It’s a norm for me,” explained Samuel, a former Trinidad and Tobago Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup player. “It has to do with hard work and the encouragement from the coaching staff, my parents, family and others. It gives me the vibe to come out and do it for the club. I had no fear facing W Connection, it was just about keeping my focus and doing what the coach thought me. It’s my job to help the team.”

“It’s hard coming out of the First Citizens Cup,” said a disappointed W Connection assistant coach and former player Earl Jean. “It’s a Cup we cherish a lot. I don’t want to be too hard on our players because they had a good game. It’s just that they had to take the chances—goals win matches.”

Connection were without a number of players including first choice goalie Julani Archibald, who along with St. Kitts/Nevis teammate Gerard Williams and Trinidad and Tobago defender Daneil Cyrus are on international duty.

“We were missing some players tonight but still we had a strong squad. We are just disappointed in our finishing. Our game was good and our players are doing what we want and dominating the game and creating chances. It’s just for them to put the ball into the back of the net,” concluded Jean.

Results.

St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Dylon King 53’, Marvin Lee 72’) vs Defence Force 4 (Devorn Jorsling 11’ pen, 19’, 50’, 84’), at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

W Connection 0 vs Ma Pau Stars 0, at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Ma Pau Stars won 3-0 on kicks from the penalty spot after a 0-0 draw.

W Connection 0                   Ma Pau Stars 3
Hughtun Hector (saved)      Kerry Baptiste (scored)
Alvin Jones (post)                 Carlos Edwards (scored)
Kurt Frederick (post)            Hayden Tinto (scored)

Teams

Defence Force: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK), 3.Jamali Garcia, 8.Christopher Durity (23.Kerry Joseph 65th minute), 9.Devorn Jorsling (2.Glynn Franklyn 89th minute), 10.Hashim Arcia (35.Tirek George 81st minute), 13.Marvin Jones, 17.Curtis Gonzales, 19.Thurlani George, 21.Aklie Edwards (Yellow Card), 26.Justin Garcia, 99.Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.).

Unused substitutes: 1.Andre Marchan (GK), 5.Devin Jordan, 15.Brandon Fountain, 22.Anthony Charles.

Coach: Marvin Gordon

St. Ann’s Rangers: 1.Cleon John (GK), 5.Devon Drayton, 6.Dylon King, 7.Sedale Mc Lean, 8.Jameel Antoine, 10.Devon Modeste, 11.Kazim Donald (9.Jomoul Francois 55th minute), 16.Richard Williams, 21.Josh Toussaint (32.Marvin Lee 71st minute), 28.Shakiyl Phillip (Capt.), 33.Osaze Springer.

Unused substitutes: 19.Tafari Williams, 20.Kareem Baptiste, 22.Christopher Biggette (GK), 30.Lester Durham.

Coach: Anthony Streete

Referee: Cecile Hinds

Teams

W Connection: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 4.Maurice Ford, 13.Hughtun Hector (Capt.), 14.Andre Toussaint (Yellow Card), 16.Alvin Jones (Yellow Card), 17.Aikim Andrews (20.Jamal Charles 70th minute), 21.Rondell Paul (Yellow Card), 23.Kevon Goddard, 34.Jabari Mitchell (43.Malik St. Prix 79th minute), 35.Jesus Perez.

Unused substitutes: 26.Shaquille Bertrand, 30.Shaquille John, 33.Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 40.Isaisah Garcia, 46.Anfernee Frederick.

Coach: Stuart Charles Fevrier

Ma Pau Stars: 22.Glenroy Samuel (GK), 5.Taryk Sampson, 7.Kerry Daniel (Yellow Card), 9.Jason Scotland (23.Anthony Wolfe 56th minute) (Yellow Card), 10.Jerrel Britto, 11.Elton John, 16.Kareem Eastman (2.Carlos Edwards 77th minute), 17.Hayden Tinto, 19.Glenton Wolffe, 21.Neil Mitchell (4.Kerry Baptiste 75th minute), 25.Keryn Navarro (Capt.).

Unused substitutes: 1.Shane Mattis (GK), 6.Neil Mitchell, 8.Adrian Noel, 12.Sayid Freitas.

Coach: Ross Russell

Referee: Rodphin Harris

[Tallman]

Central downed in Morvant shootout; Stephon Seepersad rises to the occasion as Morvant Caledonia United advance into First Citizens Cup semis
ttproleague.com

Morvant Caledonia United are into the semi-finals of the 2016 First Citizens Cup. The two-time former champions edged Central FC 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in their quarter-final clash on Sunday in Morvant.

Morvant Caledonia, back-to-back champions in 2011 and 2012 under their previous name Caledonia AIA, advances into the Nov. 22 semi-finals against Defence Force, who climbed from the play-offs with a 1-0 win over Club Sando last Tuesday then defeated St. Ann’s Rangers 4-2 courtesy a Devorn Jorsling beaver-trick in their QF clash on Friday.

Central FC, current Digicel Pro League leaders and First Citizens Cup champions of 2013 and 2014, were unable to hold their nerves from the spot after slugging it out to a stalemate and paid the ultimate price of defeat—their first in all domestic competitions this season—in front of thousands at the Morvant Recreation Ground.

Stephon Seepersad’s opening save in the shootout to deny Central’s Jason Marcano, coupled with clinical finishing from the spot by teammates Kareem Joseph, Lester Joseph and Jameel Neptune against Couva Sharks goalkeeper Javon Sample earned Morvant Caledonia their first ever win in front of home supporters after three attempts.

Central midfielders Darren Mitchell and Leston Paul beat the glove of Seepersad on the second and third kicks and ‘keeper Javon Sample denied Morvant Caledonia’s Akim Armstrong.

But it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat with after Keron Cummings had skied his kick overbar and Sean De Silva, who had rocked the Morvant Caledonia crossbar on the half hour mark, followed suit in the visitors’ fourth and fifth kicks, respectively to set off the Morvant after-party which included a performance by local dancehall sensation and Morvant resident, Pternsky (Ronny Boyce), whose hits include None Stop, Bubble and F.A.X..

“It’s a tremendous joy to reward the people of Morvant,” Morvant Caledonia United head coach Rajesh Latchoo told www.ttproleague.com. “In the game before when we scored [at the death] to draw 1-1 with Defence Force in the league [on Nov. 6], we saw the reaction of the people. They were jumping together, the rastas were hugging bald heads and the indo-Trinidadians and afro-Trinidadians were celebrating together. It was clear the people of Morvant finally have something to support.

“Our players understand now what it is to represent a community -- not just their family and friends -- and today the support here in Morvant was our 12th man.

“This was the dream of our owner (Jamaal Shabazz) for many years, to truly represent the community in which he and the club belongs. Now the dream is to have a stadium in Morvant where our players can train, have video sessions, and somewhere to fully call home.”

Central were left ruing their missed chances which included two point blank openings which fell to Kadeem Corbin and Marcano within the first seven minutes following right side moves involving Cummings.

Mitchell admitted it was a tough contest, but dismissed the notion that his teammates were intimidated by the huge Morvant crowd, which by far surpassed averages ranging between 2,500 and 3,000 in two previous turnouts.

“We are accustomed to playing against teams with thousands of supporters like we did in the Concacaf Champions League,” said the Central FC captain. “The crowd is tremendous here [in Morvant] but I think it was just a situation where we lacked concentration on the kicks. During the game it was very tough because they (Morvant Caledonia) sat deep and tried to play on the break.”

“I was really confident,” said the 20-year-old rookie Seepersad, who started in goal in absence of ‘keeper Marvin Phillip, who, like Central first choice goalie Jan-Michael Williams and forward Marcus Joseph are with the Trinidad and Tobago national team for Tuesday’s World Cup 2018 qualifier away to Honduras.

Seepersad, whose grandparents are from Morvant, had also done well in tracking Mitchell and Paul’s efforts despite conceding.

“I work hard in training and it was my time when called upon in the penalties,” Seepersad added. “I also had confidence in my teammates to do their part on the kicks and together we rewarded the people of Morvant for their support. The ambition is to go all the way to the title.”

Quarter-final action continues today (Monday Nov. 14) with Police FC against Point Fortin Civic from 6pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium to decide the final semi-final berth. The winners will meet Ma Pau Stars, who ousted former champions San Juan Jabloteh 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the play-offs then outshined holders and seven-time champions W Connection 3-0 in another penalty shootout following a goalless draw in their QF clash.

First Citizens Cup 2016
Play-off Round
(Tuesday, November 8, 2016)
Club Sando 0 vs Defence Force 1 (Hashim Arcia 53’), at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Kennedy Hinkson 81’) vs Ma Pau Stars 1 (Kerry Daniel 57’)
Ma Pau Stars won the game 3-1 on kicks from the penalty mark at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Kicks from the penalty spot
Ma Pau Stars 3                       San Juan Jabloteh 1
Elton John (saved)                  Josiah Trimmingham (scored)
Neil Mitchell (scored)             Tyrone Charles (saved)
Keryn Navarro (scored)          Nathan Lewis (saved)
Hayden Tinto (scored)            Kion Joseph (saved)

Quarter Final Round
(Saturday, November 12, 2016)
St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Dylon King 53’, Marvin Lee 72’) vs Defence Force 4 (Devorn Jorsling 11’ pen, 19’, 50’, 84’), at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

W Connection 0 vs Ma Pau Stars 0
Ma Pau Stars won 3-0 on kicks from the penalty mark at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Kicks from the penalty spot
W Connection 0                   Ma Pau Stars 3
Hughtun Hector (saved)      Kerry Baptiste (scored)
Alvin Jones (post)                 Carlos Edwards (scored)
Kurt Frederick (post)            Hayden Tinto (scored)

(Sunday, November 13, 2016)
Central FC 0 vs Morvant Caledonia United 0
Morvant Caledonia won 3-2 on kicks from the penalty spot at the Morvant Recreation Ground.

Kicks from the penalty spot
Central FC 2                          Morvant Caledonia United 3
Jason Marcano (saved)        Kareem Joseph (scored)
Leston Paul (scored)            Lester Joseph (scored)
Darren Mitchell (scored)      Jameel Neptune (scored)
Keron Cummings (overbar)  Akim Armstrong (saved)
Sean De Silva (overbar)

(Monday, November 14, 2016)
Ato Boldon Stadium
Police FC vs Point Fortin Civic—6pm (A)

Semi Final Round
(November 22)
A vs Ma Pau Stars
Morvant Caledonia United vs Defence Force

Final
(December 2)

Teams at the Morvant Recreation Ground on Sunday

Central FC: 1.Javon Sample (GK), 3.Keion Goodridge, 4.Andre Ettienne, 6.Leston Paul, 7.Jason Marcano, 8.Sean De Silva, 10.Keron Cummings, 11.Darren Mitchell (Capt.), 16.Kadeem Corbin (17.Johan Peltier 67th minute), 19.Nathan Garcia (Yellow Card), 26.Mickaeel Jem Gordon.

Unused substitutes: 1.Javon Sample (GK), 5.Keston George, 14.Nicholas Dillon, 18.Rondell Gibson, 24.Kevon Villaroel.

Coach: Dale Saunders

Morvant Caledonia United: 30.Stephon Seepersad (GK), 4.Ordell Flemming, 5.Seon Thomas, 6.Taje Commissiong, 7.Kordell Samuel (23.Lester Joseph 83rd minute), 12.Kareem Joseph, 13.Jordan Devonish (9.Jair Edwards 60th minute), 14.Keron Bethelmy, 17.Akim Armstrong, 21.Densill Theobald, 22.Jameel Neptune.

Unused substitutes: 8.Anthony Charles, 11.Dominic Douglas, 15.Otev Lawrence, 18.Maestro Mensah, 31.Hakeem Lukas (GK).

Coach: Rajesh Latchoo

Referee: Gyasi Mc Donald
Assistant Referee 1: Glen Kevin Charles
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Carabon
Fourth Official: Marlon Peruse

[Tallman]

WATCH: First Citizen Cup Quarterfinals Highlights (Morvant Caledonia United vs Central FC; St. Ann’s Rangers vs Defence Force; W-Connection vs Ma Pau Stars)

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/B_oZIhuV9D8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/B_oZIhuV9D8</a>

[Tallman]

Police complete First Citizens Cup semis matchups with 4-1 hammering of Civic
ttproleague.com

Kadeem Riley scored on either side of the break as Police FC cruised into the semi-finals of the 2016 First Citizens Cup with a 4-1 hammering of Point Fortin Civic on Monday.

Riley, featuring in attack for coach Richard Hood’s side dented by injuries, scored early and late for the Lawmen, who also had a goal each from winger Micah Lewis and utility player Christon Thomas for the quarter-final win at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Police grabbed a 1-0 advantage in just the third minute through Riley. The lanky attacker, free inside the Civic area, was picked out by a left side Joshua Leach cross and made no mistake in beating goalkeeper Miles Goodman from point blank range.

Lewis then handed Police a 2-0 cushion on 23 minutes with a solo goal from inside the area, but Civic pulled one back three minutes from the half.

Boatswain headed in an Akeem Redhead cross at the back post to beat Police goalie Theon Browne and make it 2-1.

However Police could have gone into the half with a healthier lead had Hood’s men—sporting a new sky blue kit resembling that of the colour of England Premier League’s Manchester City home strip—made better use of an indirect free kick in the area and had referee Keilon Bacchus awarded a penalty after Leach was hacked down in the area by Civic defender Kurfi Pierre on the half hour mark.

Left full-back Dexter Alleyne also had a wonderful gift with the Civic goal and Goodman at his mercy just before the half-time whistle but failed to control a right side cross hit into the area by team captain Todd Ryan.

Police finally restored their two-goal lead in the 84th minute when Riley stabbed home another Leach cross to complete his double and put Police in the clear with a 3-1 score against a side that have not yet registered a win in all competitions this season.

Then three minutes from time, Thomas, who was denied by the upright on the hour mark, rounded off the 4-1 rout with a low finish past Goodman after latching onto a pass inside the area from substitute Kareem Freitas asPolice, who are winless in five games in the Digicel Pro League since defeating Ma Pau Stars 5-1 on Oct. 4, recorded their second win of the season in all competitions.

Police are now into the First Citizens Cup semi-finals, tentatively set for Nov. 27, where the Lawmen must face Ma Pau Stars, while Morvant Caledonia United are against Defence Force, in a clash of two two-time former champions.

Morvant Caledonia, champions in 2011 and 2012, ousted 2013 and 2014 champions Central FC 3-2 on penalties in their quarter-final meeting following a 0-0 stalemate on Sunday in Morvant.

Other quarter-final results include Defence Force’s 4-2 win over St. Ann’s Rangers on Saturday, and on the same day Ma Pau Stars, who, like Defence Force advanced out of the play-offs, outshined seven-time champions and holders W Connection 3-0 from the penalty spot following a goalless draw.

Action in the Digicel Pro League will resume this weekend (Nov. 18-20) with two-time defending champions and current leaders Central FC versus Civic, W Connection versus Morvant Caledonia United, Jabloteh versus Rangers, Ma Pau Stars versus Defence Force, and Club Sando versus Police.

First Citizens Cup 2016 (results)
Play-off Round
(Tuesday, November 8, 2016)
Club Sando 0 vs Defence Force 1 (Hashim Arcia 53’), at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Kennedy Hinkson 81’) vs Ma Pau Stars 1 (Kerry Daniel 57’)
Ma Pau Stars won the game 3-1 on kicks from the penalty mark at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Kicks from the penalty spot
Ma Pau Stars 3                       San Juan Jabloteh 1
Elton John (saved)                  Josiah Trimmingham (scored)
Neil Mitchell (scored)             Tyrone Charles (saved)
Keryn Navarro (scored)          Nathan Lewis (saved)
Hayden Tinto (scored)            Kion Joseph (saved)

Quarter Final Round
(Saturday, November 12, 2016)
St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Dylon King 53’, Marvin Lee 72’) vs Defence Force 4(Devorn Jorsling 11’ pen, 19’, 50’, 84’), at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

W Connection 0 vs Ma Pau Stars 0
Ma Pau Stars won 3-0 on kicks from the penalty mark at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Kicks from the penalty spot
W Connection 0                   Ma Pau Stars 3
Hughtun Hector (saved)      Kerry Baptiste (scored)
Alvin Jones (post)                 Carlos Edwards (scored)
Kurt Frederick (post)            Hayden Tinto (scored)

(Sunday, November 13, 2016)
Central FC 0 vs Morvant Caledonia United 0
Morvant Caledonia won 3-2 on kicks from the penalty spot at the Morvant Recreation Ground.

Kicks from the penalty spot
Central FC 2                          Morvant Caledonia United 3
Jason Marcano (saved)        Kareem Joseph (scored)
Leston Paul (scored)            Lester Joseph (scored)
Darren Mitchell (scored)      Jameel Neptune (scored)
Keron Cummings (overbar)  Akim Armstrong (saved)
Sean De Silva (overbar)

(Monday, November 14, 2016)
Ato Boldon Stadium
Police FC 4 (Kadeem Riley 3’, 84’ Micah Lewis 23’, Christon Thomas 87’) vs Point Fortin Civic 1 (Jamille Boatswain 42’)

Semi Final Round
(November 27)
Police FC vs Ma Pau Stars
Morvant Caledonia United vs Defence Force

Final
(December 2)

Teams at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Monday

Police FC: 22.Theon Browne (GK), 6.Jibri Mc David (2.Akiel Thomas 84th minute), 12.Kadeem Riley (Yellow Card), 17.Dexter Alleyne, 19.Christon Thomas, 20.Elijah Belgrave, 21.Todd Ryan (Capt.), 23.Micah Lewis (29.Kadeem Hutchinson 82nd minute), 25.Kenaz Williams, 38.Nequan Caruth, 39.Joshua Leach (10.Kareem Freitas 69th minute) (Yellow Card).

Unused substitutes: 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 13.Dillon Kirton, 32.Kemron Purcell.

Coach: Richard Hood

Point Fortin Civic: 22.Miles Goodman (GK), 2.Ancil Wells, 3.Kurfi Pierre (30.Mario Jose Romeo Marin 69th minute), 6.Shane Garraway, 8.Akeem Redhead (9.Sylvester Teesdale 58th minute) (Yellow Card), 7.Nickcolson Thomas, 11.Shaquille Dublin (Yellow Card), 12.Rondell Phillip, 13.Shevon Abraham, 20.Jamille Boatswain, 23.Shaquille Stewart.

Unused substitutes: 16.Tyrell Johnson, 17.Kestwin Goolie, 32.Nestor Miguel Ruiz Salazar, 40.Tevin Moore (GK), 99.Tereek Joseph.

Coach: Dick Furlonge

Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Assistant Referee 1: Oladele Thomas
Assistant Referee 2: Johann Corneille
Fourth Official: Kevin Smart

[Flex]

Raging Jorsling and flying Samuel set up D/Force-Ma Pau Stars FCC final.
ttproleague.com.

Defence Force are one win away from a third First Citizens Cup crowning thanks to a comprehensive hat-trick by striker Devorn Jorsling, taking his tally to an astounding seven goals in 2016 edition, to dispatch Courts Morvant Caledonia United 3-0 in Sunday’s semi-final double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

But the Army/Coast Guard combination are against former recruit Glenroy Samuel—a goalie determined to prove his worth to the Trinidad and Tobago national team selectors—and Ma Pau Stars in the 2016 final on 2 December.

This after Ma Pau Stars booked their place in the final with a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over Police FC following an enthralling 3-3 draw in semi-final two at the Couva venue.

Samuel, for a third time consecutive time in the tournament after penalty wins over San Juan Jabloteh and last season’s champions W Connection, in the playoff and quarter-finals, respectively, had rescued Ma Pau Stars in a shoot-out.

The 26-year-old former T&T Youth World Cup goalie went one better than current Soca Warriors’ third choice ‘keeper Adrian Foncette by denying Police kickers Christon Thomas and Elijah Belgrave on the second and final kicks, respectively, all after proving too big for Todd Ryan who struck the crossbar on the Lawmen’s first kick.

Hayden Tinto was denied by Foncette and Neil Gerard Mitchell struck over, in the third and fourth Ma Pau kicks, respectively, but Kerry Baptiste, Carlos Edwards and Keryn Navarro, in that order, were clinical from the spot for coach Ross Russell’s side.

Defenders Ryan O’Neil and goal scorer Jibri Mc David were solid from the spot for Police who had first taken the lead in open play.

Mc David had struck past Samuel from close up for a 1-0 lead on 34 minutes from a headed-on Christon Thomas free-kick.

Ma Pau, though, were back on level terms three minutes later when Police defender Nequan Caruth handled a Jason Scotland cross into his own net to put the scores at 1-1.

But Belgrave, occupying an attacking role, restored coach Richard Hood’s side’s advantage 2-1 into the break. The ox-built utility player towered in the Ma Pau area to powerfully head past Samuel off a Thomas corner.

The entertaining contest was far from over and Police surrendered the lead seven minutes into the second half after allowing Scotland to swooped in and bury the ball past Foncette, who spilled an effort from Tinto.

Police were guilty of poor marking again in the 79th minute when Jerrel Britto headed into space before Scotland coolly lobbed a hapless Foncette to complete his double and put Ma Pau in front the first time, 3-2.

Police were determined to find a way back, and after forcing no less than five superb saves out of Samuel in the second half, the Lawmen finally equalised for a 3-3 score five minutes from time when Belgrave headed into the far netting from a Kareem Freitas cross.

Belgrave, however, was unable to beat Samuel on his side’s fifth and final kick of the shoot-out and Ma Pau, who were lucky not to concede in the 84th minute when Freitas spilled wide at the goalmouth, burst into celebrations.

For Defence Force, though, the semi-final stage seemed simpler with a herculean Jorsling performance against his Morvant hometown club, he once represented.

The 32-year-old ex-T&T international broke the deadlock with a superb free-kick that entered the top corner, beating goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, who was at full stretch on the stroke of half-time.

Jorsling, who scored a beaver-trick in his team’s 4-2 quarter-final win over St. Ann’s Rangers a week ago, made it 2-0 less than a minute into the second half by rolling a shot past the Morvant Caledonia number one and Soca Warriors second choice ‘keeper after holding off defender Taje Commissiong inside the area.

Jorsling, who was denied a third by Phillip just before the hour mark, completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 68th minute. The all-time leading Pro League scorer put his effort out of Phillip’s full stretch and into the top corner for a 3-0 score after a handball was ruled against Morvant Caledonia defender Seon Thomas.

Moments later Morvant Caledonia’s vocal assistant coach Abdallah Phillips was no longer on the touch line. The former Caledonia player was ejected from the technical area by referee Gyasi Mc Donald over his protest following a crunching tackle on forward Kordell Samuel by Justin Garcia in the middle of the field.

But by then there was little head coach Rajesh Latchoo could have done in his side’s schooling.

Luckily for Morvant Caledonia, champions in 2011 and 2012, the end result could have been crueller.

Hashim Arcia had two excellent openings on either side of the break for the soldiers, one of which was cleared at the goalmouth midway through the first half. And team leader Jerwyn Balthazar saw his attempt cleared off the line by Morvant Caledonia substitute Dominic Douglas in the 83rd minute before Phillip produced an excellent save on the midfielder’s second attempt after a mesmerizing Jamali Garcia run kept the attack alive.

Defence Force, First Citizens Cup champions of 2002 and 2009, and later victors Ma Pau Stars both walked away $7,000 richer following their semi-final round wins due to, new this season, cash bonuses courtesy of title sponsors First Citizens for each win throughout the tournament, which saw winners in the quarter-final and playoff rounds earn $5,000 and $3,000 respectively.

The real withdrawal, though, happens on Friday 2 December when the champions receive $110,000 while $20,000 goes to the runners-up.

Results

Morvant Caledonia United 0 vs Defence Force 3 (Devorn Jorsling 45’, 46’, 68’ pen.), at Ato Boldon Stadium;

Police FC 3 (Jibri Mc David 34’, Elijah Belgrave 45’+. 85’) vs Ma Pau Stars 3 (Nequan Caruth 37’ Own Goal, Jason Scotland 52’, 79’)
Ma Pau Stars won the game 3-2 on kicks from the penalty spot, at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Kicks from the spot

Ma Pau Stars 3                             Police FC 2
Kerry Baptiste (scored)                  Todd Ryan (crossbar)
Carlos Edwards (scored)              Christon Thomas (saved)
Hayden Tinto (saved)                    Ryan O’Neil (scored)
Neil Gerard Mitchell (overbar)     Jibri Mc David (scored)
Keryn Navarro (scored)                Elijah Belgrave (saved)

Teams

Morvant Caledonia United: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK), 4.Ordell Flemming, 5.Seon Thomas, 6.Taje Commissiong, 7.Kordell Samuel (11.Dominic Douglas 82nd minute), 10.Sheldon Holder, 12.Kareem Joseph, 14.Keron Bethelmy (23.Lester Joseph 74th minute), 17.Akim Armstrong, 21.Densill Theobald, 22.Jameel Neptune.

Unused substitutes: 13.Jordan Devonish, 15.Otev Lawrence, 16.Amos Ramsay, 18.Maestro Mensah, 30.Stephon Seepersad (GK).

Coach: Rajesh Latchoo

Defence Force: 1.Andre Marchan (GK), 3.Jamali Garcia, 8.Christopher Durity, 9.Devorn Jorsling (14.Darryl Trim 85th minute), 10.Hashim Arcia (37.Cassim Kellar 78th minute), 13.Marvin Jones, 17.Curtis Gonzales, 19.Thurlani George (6.Rodell Elcock 37th minute) (Yellow Card), 21.Aklie Edwards, 26.Justin Garcia (Yellow Card), 99.Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.).

Unused substitutes: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK), 5.Devin Jordan, 22.Anthony Charles, 35.Tirek George.

Coach: Marvin Gordon

Referee: Gyasi Mc Donald

Teams

Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK), 3.Ryan O’Neil, 6.Jibri Mc David, 10.Kareem Freitas (Yellow Card), 16.Keion Wilson (23.Micah Lewis 75th minute), 17.Dexter Alleyne, 19.Christon Thomas, 20.Elijah Belgrave, 21.Todd Ryan (Capt.), 25.Kenaz Williams (14.Kaaron Foster 80th minute), 38.Nequan Caruth.

Unused substitutes: 2.Akeil Thomas, 12.Kareem Riley, 13.Dillon Kirton, 22.Theon Browne (GK), 39.Joshua Leach.

Coach: Richard Hood

Ma Pau Stars: 22.Glenroy Samuel (GK), 2.Carlos Edwards (Capt.), 5.Taryk Sampson, 7.Kerry Daniel (4.Kerry Baptiste 65th minute), 9.Jason Scotland, 10.Jerrel Britto (Yellow Card) (12.Sayid Freitas 90th minute), 11.Elton John, 17.Hayden Tinto, 19.Glenton Wolffe, 21.Neil Gibson Mitchell (6.Neil Gerard Mitchell 54th minute), 25.Keryn Navarro.

Unused substitutes: 1.Shane Mattis (GK), 8.Adrian Noel, 16.Kareem Eastman, 20.Quincy Charles.

Coach: Ross Russell

Referee: Rashby Mc Phie


​​Police FC double-scorer Elijah Belgrave, furthest right, goes airborne after scoring his first goal against Ma Pau Stars during their semi-final clash of the First Citizens Cup on Nov. 27, 2016 at the Ato Boldon Stadium. Ma Pau won the game 3-2 on penalty kicks following a 3-3 draw. (Photo: ttproleague.com / Allan V. Crane/Caribbean Action Images)

[Tallman]

WATCH: A Devorn Jorsling hat-trick sends Defence Force to the 2016 First Citizens Cup final at the expense of Morvant Caledonia United.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/-7sObOlS-NY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/-7sObOlS-NY</a>

WATCH: Jason Scotland’s brace and Glenroy Samuel’s two saves in the penalty shootout propel Ma Pau Stars to victory over Police FC and a place in the 2016 First Citizens Cup final.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/oXl5JLl8gfI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/oXl5JLl8gfI</a>