Jabloteh off to Panama
By Randy Bando (ttproleague.com)League leaders San Juan are off to Panama to face San Francisco FC in their First Round clash of the CONCACAF Champions’ League preliminary round on Wednesday night at the Estadio Agustín Muquita Sánchez 7pm(Panama Time).
Jabloteh left Trinidad on Tuesday afternoon headed by coach Earl Jean and are expected to arrive in Panama at 7:23pm(Panama Time).
Jean selected an 18-man squad inclusive of 2009 signings Kevaughn Connell, Hector Sam and assistant coach/player Travis Mulraine to face the Panamanian giants San Francisco.
The rest of Jean’s squad includes players such as 2007 and 2008 League winners Cleon John, Karlon Murray, Ataulla Guerra, Elton John, Jason Marcano, Devon Jamerson, Elijah Manners, Joel Russell and Lester Peltier.
2008 signings Anton Hutchinson, Noel Williams, Cyrano Glen, Marvin Oliver who will captain the side and goalkeeping coach/goalkeeper Brian James makes up the rest of the squad.
“In this game we will be very focused,” said Earl Jean. “We are in a positive mood right now coming off wins in our last two games. We know very little about their team. But we know that they have a good national structure and having played their internationally for St Lucia I know it will be a hostile environment. We know that it will not be any easy task coming up against top clubs from other countries. But we will try and come out for a positive result ahead of our next game.”
“I’m more concerned about my team and not too much about San Francisco,” said team captain Oliver. “We have been a little up and down in the last two weeks so the focus will be getting the guys in the right frame of mind for these (CONCACAF Champions’ League) matches.”
Oliver eyeing a good showing just as Joe Public did in the previous CONCACAF Champions’ League preliminary round ousting MLS club New England Revolution after a 6:1 aggregate score said that his team is equipped with the best young latent available in Trinidad and Tobago.
San Francisco currently third on the Liga Panameña de Fútbol—Panama’s top football league—have won 6 Liga Panameña de Fútbol championships, the second highest total of any team since 1988. The club has also finished second 4 times since 1988.
Francisco are with 33 points in the Liga Panameña de Fútbol same amount as Atlético Chiriquí(in second) and three points off leaders Tauro F.C.
Meantime Jabloteh left Trinidad as the Digicel Pro League leaders with 26 points, one point more than Bmobile Joe Public and Caledonia AIA of Morvant Laventille who will face eachother from 7pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium on Tuesday(today)—one of which will overtake Jabloteh for top spot.
Jabloteh will stay at the Hoteles Riande Continental, La Chorrea and will have a training session at the Estadio Agustín Muquita Sánchez on Wednesday morning prior to the match.
Jabloteh will return to Trinidad at midday T&T time on Thursday in preparation for the return match against the Panamanians on Thursday 6 August from 8pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Full travelling Squad against San FranciscoPlayersBrian James(gk)
Cleon John(gk)
Karlon Murray
Anton Hutchinson
Noel Williams
Elijah Manners
Marvin Oliver
Ataulla Guerra
Elton John
Jason Marcano
Devon Jamerson
Cyrano Glen
Hector Sam
Willis Plaza
Joel Russell
Robert Primus
Kevaughn Connell
Lester Peltier
Technical StaffEarl Jean—Coach
Wesley Webb—Team Administrator
Oswin Birchwood—Physio/Trainer
Travis Mulraine—Assistant Coach/Player
Ken Martin—Equipment Manager
Azaad Mohammed-Khan—Manager