Wounds licked, Caledonia upbeat for North East clash
ttproleague.com
“I urge football lovers to come out and see the most exciting football,” promised Caledonia AIA boss Jamaal Shabazz ahead of Friday’s 2011 First Citizens Cup quarterfinal clash against DIRECTV North East Stars from 7pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
“We prefer to win a match 6-5 than 1-0, because we recognize the entertainment value to fans,” continued the Caledonia and Guyana National Team head coach.
“I think it’s going to be a very tough game and we also look forward to welcoming (Stars forward) Stern John to local football.”
Caledonia and North East Stars are without a point ahead of Friday’s final Group B clash with leaders W Connection already through to the semi-final round with maximum 6 points in the three team group. Only the top two teams advance into the semi-final round.
Caledonia fell victim to Connection last Friday in a 4-2 defeat but had positives with strike debutants Jamal Gay and Trevin Caesar both getting on the scoresheet.
Shabazz said that his team doesn’t have major problems in offence, but focus was heavy on defence in this week’s training sessions.
“I think we’ve worked hard on the defence in organizing the team defensively and we are pretty confident going into this game,” said the Caledonia coach.
Caledonia will be without midfielder Densill Theobald for Friday’s match and the rest of the season after picking up an 8-month contract with Indian League club Dempo SC this week.
“Of course we will be without Densill Theobald,” admitted Shabazz.
“But I’m very excited to see the team without him. It will answer questions to how we have grown. Densill was a pivotal player in terms of our style of play, in terms of ball possession and I look forward to see how we would continue in his absence.
“In the short term assistant coach/player Travis Mulraine will fill the gap, but on the long term we have some youngsters eager to take up the mantle,” he ended.
Friday will also feature Group A final clash between St. Ann’s Rangers and Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh from 5pm.
T&TEC leads the group with just two points, while Rangers and Jabloteh follow with a point each.
Quarterfinal Day One results
T&TEC FC 0—0 St. Ann’s Rangers
W Connection 4—2 Caledonia AIA
Quarterfinal Day Two results
T&TEC FC 4—4 San Juan Jabloteh
Connection 4—1 North East Stars
Quarterfinal Day Three
Friday 23 September
Hasely Crawford Stadium
St. Ann’s Rangers vs San Juan Jabloteh—5pm
Caledonia AIA vs North East Stars—7pm
Semi Final Round
Friday 30 September
Final
Friday 14 October