Toyota Classic Thread

[Flex]

The famous Terry Fenwick elbow on Goulart during a Toyota Classic final match with Jabloteh vs W Connection which Connection won.

A Classic goal in a Classic match--------and a "Classic" elbow

[Tiresais]

Seriously what was that about?

[Flex]

Club Sando targets Caledonia scalp.
T&T Guardian Reports.

National Super League trio, Club Sando, Guaya United and Malabar FC will all be hoping to emulate last year’s run by Stokely Vale when the quarterfinal round of the Toyota Classic gets going tonight.

In the lone encounter carded for today, Club Sando will get its first shot at Caledonia in six days when both teams face off at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva from 6 pm.

Last week in the round-of-16, the Anthony Streete-coached Club Sando, recent winners of the Super League knockout crown, 4–3 over Guaya dumped Pro League outfit, Police 3–1 led by a double from captain and former Pro League player, Teba Mc Knight.

And while Caledonia, 3–0 winners over Joe Public, may well pose a stiffer opposition coach Streete and his group Club Sando squad, comprising a number of former Pro League campaigners, will no doubt be up for the challenge against the Morvant/Laventille Stallions who were ousted at the same hurdle last year by Stokel Vale, 6–5 on penalty-kicks after a pulsating 4–4 draw.

Caledonia and Club Sando are also scheduled to meet in the round-of-32 in the T&T Football Association FA Trophy competition on Wednesday.

Tomorrow, a double-header is carded for Couva with W Connection, two-time Toyota Classic winners in 2005 and 2011, and current leaders of the Digicel T&T Pro League with maximum 15 points from five matches, meeting Malabar from 5 pm.

FIXTURES

Toyota Classic quarterfinal

Today

Caledonia AIA vs Club Sando, 6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
 
Tomorrow

W Connection vs Malabar FC, 5 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
Central FC vs Defence Force, 7 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
 
Sunday

Pt Fortin Civic FC vs Guaya United, 3 pm, Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin

[Sam]

The famous Terry Fenwick elbow on Goulart during a Toyota Classic final match with Jabloteh vs W Connection which Connection won.

A Classic goal in a Classic match--------and a "Classic" elbow

Fenwick good yes !!!!

 

In them time W Connection was de team to beat, they had better foreigners.

[Football supporter]

Quarter Final

Caledonia 2  2  Club Sando

Williams 9'        McKnight 42'
Wade  87'        Fredericks 86'

Pens:

Caledonia 10 - 11 Club Sando

[Tiresais]

Great result for Sando there, anyone at the game?

[soccerrama]

W Connection  4    Malabar FC  1     João Jordao Jr.(10’), Jerrel Britto (17’), (19’), Gerard Williams (74’)
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------
                                                          Kevon Woodley (65’)

Central FC     1           Defence Force 5     Keon Trim (60’)
                                                          -------------------------------------------
                                                          Richard Roy (9’), Devorn Jorsling (73’), (86’), Kevon Carter (82’), 
                                                          (89')                                                           

[Football supporter]

Well, I have to say that this was such a one sided game from the 10th minute until the 70th.

18 year old keeper Jevon Sample was probably at fault for the first goal when an awful backpass played in Roy. Sample reached the shot but his wrists weren't strong enough. Army started off very fast, but after their first goal, Central started to take control of the game, although Sample made several good saves.

Army relied on their fast breaks to stretch the Central defence, playing their second game in 48 hours without Jan-Michael Williams and Rundell Winchester.

The second half started with Central in total control. A double substitution after 55 minutes saw Peltier and Keion Trim replace Hector Sam and Toric Robinson as Fenwick went for all out attack.
Trim equalised after 60 minutes and the momentum was firmly with Central.

Despite several chances, Central were still getting caught on the break. Jorslings fresh legs were introduced and he scored against the run of play after 73 minutes. Central nearly equalised shortly after when Trim slid a shot into the side netting. Another fast break saw Carter kill off Central after 82 minutes and although Central continued to push forward, their tiredness left gaps big enough for the army to drive tanks through. Jorsling made it 4  after 86 minutes, while Carter made it 5 after 89 minutes.

I sat with Carlos Edwards who arrived after 15 minutes of the game. He said "To those outside who didn't see this game, it would sound like a one sided game. But until the 80th minute, it was a really tight game."

The positive for Central is that they only have one game per week for the next few weeks, while Connection, Army and Point will be playing Wednesday and Friday!

[Tiresais]

Sounds like a tough evening when all said and done

[Football supporter]

Sounds like a tough evening when all said and done

I suppose it sounds like I'm making excuses, and in the end, Army got the job done. But I can't understand how we have 7 days in a week, yet two games in 3 days with an international game in between. Makes no sense.

[Coop's]

Sounds like a tough evening when all said and done

I suppose it sounds like I'm making excuses, and in the end, Army got the job done. But I can't understand how we have 7 days in a week, yet two games in 3 days with an international game in between. Makes no sense.

    Even though they are excuses they are good excuse,Army played so many games without Jorsling because he was on a promotion course,i went DF HQ and i saw some of their Footballers on guard duty,they have been looseing games u never hear excuses from them,my friend Sam said he don't want Army to win any thing.

[Sam]

Quarter Final

Caledonia 2  2  Club Sando

Williams 9'        McKnight 42'
Wade  87'        Fredericks 86'

Pens:

Caledonia 10 - 11 Club Sando

Shabazz is a pussy, his flaws is showing now, thank gosh de TTFA got ride of this kakahole of a coach, let Caledonia keep him forever, win or lose.

Coops, I like Army, hate Ross Russell.

[Tiresais]

Sad to hear that, what did Ross Russell do? Discipline is certainly a useful skill!

[Flex]

Historic Sando, W Connection for Toyota Classic Final.
ttproleague.

Jones inspires Connection; Jordan errors costs Defence Force

Joevin Jones led with a goal and was involved in two others, all in the second half on Friday, to inspire DIRECTV W Connection to a comfortable 3-0 win over Guaya United in semi-final two of the 2013 Toyota Classic at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Connection, the present Digicel Pro League leaders, joined Super League leaders, Club Sando, for the Final, which will be contested next weekend at the very same venue.

Sando created history, in front of some 3,000 plus spectators in semi-final one at the Couva venue on Friday night, by becoming the first Super League club to ever reach the Final of the Classic – which brings together both leagues – in the tournament’s 9-year history.

It was in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time that Devon Modeste, virtually absent all night, headed in a controversial Sando winner for a 3-2 score.

Wild celebrations boiled over from the stands and onto the pitch, and it seemed as though the Sando supporters, technical staff and players had just won a title.

While the hearts of Defence Force surely sank into their stomachs at the sound of referee Cecil Hinds’ final whistle.

Modeste had earlier whipped in a cross from the left, directed at Teba Mc Knight, who failed to collect and in the process took defender Devin Jordan down with him, but Hinds allowed play on.

Foul, or no foul, there is an old saying that goes something like: Don’t stop playing unless you hear the whistle.

Jordon, who stayed down momentarily, suggesting that he was fouled, clearly ignored that old saying and his team paid the price when Sando attacker Ryan Fredericks whipped back in the loose ball over a fully committed goalkeeper Kevin Graham for Modeste to head into an open net.

It was also Jordan that Kerron Smith easily turned inside the area and drove a low shot past Graham for a 14th minute 1-0 Sando advantage after collecting a low Kemuel Rivers’ cross.

And in the 72nd minute Anthony Parris converted from the penalty spot for a 2-0 Sando cushion after he was taken down inside the area by Jordan. Referee Hinds didn’t hesitate on giving the decision in that instance.

Overall the players of head coach Ross Russell should cast blame on themselves for not putting away a match they dominated with the ball and created a superior amount of chances.

The soldiers had a chance to level the scores in the 33rd minute following a neat buildup, but Jerwyn Balthazar, who eventually pulled a goal back in the 77th minute, volleyed overbar.

Sando goalie Andre Marchan then produced a good save to keep out a Carter header off Curtis Gonzales’ free-kick in the 39th minute, and in the 45th minute another eventual goalscorer, Devorn Jorsling, the usually potent striker headed wide of an open net from a Jemel Sebro cross.

Read More

[SWF Reporter]

Modeste Sando stuns D/Force; Joevin jams Guaya
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

It will be DIRECTV W Connection versus Club Sando in the 2013 Toyota Classic final next week as yesterday’s electric semi-final contest at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium pitched up an intriguing finale to one of local football’s most intriguing cup competitions.

For the first time in the Classic’s history, a Super League team, Club Sando, will appear in the final; and the south club did so in the most dramatic manner with a last gasp winner to edge defending Pro League champions, Defence Force, 3-2.

Connection powered its way into the final in contrasting style with a majestic 3-0 triumph against another Super League opponent, Guaya United, in the second game of the Couva double header.

There were roughly 2,700 fans at the Ato Boldon Stadium and the high spirits and partisan support was enough to put any fete match competition to shame.

Coincidentally, Connection starlet Joevin Jones revelled in the conditions with another thrilling showing that further mocked any lingering doubts that he is best suited at left back.

Jones, the son of former “Strike Squad” defender Kelvin Jones, has played 33 times for his country without a single goal. But 20 of his caps were earned at left back, nine as a winger and four as an orthodox central midfielder.

Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier believes Trinidad and Tobago national head coach Stephen Hart should try him at “number 10.”

“The national team played him on the wing last game and he didn’t do badly,” said Fevrier. “But I personally feel he is at his best when he is given freedom.”

Guaya can attest to that as “JJ” scored a spectacular opener and then created a goal apiece for Hashim Arcia and Neil Benjamin as Connection proved to be a step too far for the gutsy Super League club.

“Donkey always looks good until he enters a horse race,” said one observer.

It was a harsh and simplistic critique of Guaya’s Classic adventure; but it was not totally without merit either.

Club Sando has a hell of a challenge next.

Apart from the obvious—that Sando scored three goals to Defence Force’s two—it is still hard to tell how the Super League team got past the army/coast guard combination last night.

“That game was real painful,” Defence Force striker Devorn Jorsling told Wired868. “If we played Sando ten times (again), they wouldn’t win. But this is a fairytale season for them and they deserve to reach in the final, having beaten three Pro League teams.

“To me, they are not really a Super League team because they have so many ex-national and Pro League players.”

As Jorsling conceded, Defence Force defended poorly on the night.

Twice, central defender Devin Jordan was the culprit. Jordan allowed Kerron Smith to turn him too easily to fire home the opener in the 14th minute and then, in the 70th minute, Jordan conceded possession on top his own 18-yard box and then tripped Sando midfielder Anthony Parris in the penalty area from the same play.

Parris dusted himself off to double Sando’s lead from the penalty spot.

Yet, the scoreline was misleading as Defence Force often looked in control up to that point.

Curtis Gonzales and Jerwyn Balthazar were excellent in central midfield and, although the soldiers never dominated Sando’s full backs, wingers Kevon Carter, Jemel Carter and substitute Kerry Joseph were certainly a threat.

And, when Balthazar scored a smart diving header from Carter’s cross in the 76th minute, one sensed that Sando was in trouble.

Eight minutes later, Defence Force pulled level as Jorsling nodded in from close range after Carter flicked on a dangerous Joseph cross. And it took a fine reflex save from Sando custodian Andre Marchan to deny Carter in stoppage time as the Super League seemed to be praying for penalties.

But Devon Modeste, who had been quiet up to that point, had other ideas. The Defence Force backline was in disarray as Sando charged in the closing seconds; and Modeste dashed in from the left flank to meet Ryan Fredericks’ right side cross with a precise downward header into an unprotected goal.

And Sando had created some Classic history.

“Who say San-doh?!” asked the club’s animated cheerleader-in-chief, through a megaphone.

“San-doh!” screamed the supporters.

The majority of the patrons on the night were actually enlisted in the “Green Army” but Guaya simply did not have the firepower to deal with Connection.

Even before kick-off, a misinterpretation of the rules had cost Guaya its coach. Ron La Forest was sent off in the club’s quarterfinal win against Point Fortin and read in the newspapers that he would not be allowed on the bench.

In fact, there is no such law and Central FC coach Terry Fenwick took charge of his team’s First Citizens Cup final win despite being ejected in the semifinal. But La Forest left his assistant, Calvin Hughes, in charge of, arguably, the biggest game in Guaya’s history.

“When I read in the papers that I would be suspended,” said La Forest. “I didn’t want to jeopardise my team.”

There was another early concession from Guaya as Hughes sacrificed the club’s trademark 4-4-1-1 system in favour of an additional central defender. Connection employs a fluent and narrow three-man attacking line-up whose movement often frees space for Jones to make late surges like a fourth attacker.

Guaya tried to plug the gaps with Sherlon Campbell playing as a sweeper behind four defenders.

It was a tactic that might have worked better on Guaya’s small school ground as opposed to the more expansive Couva stadium.

The teams were goalless at the half but Guaya goalkeeper Kevon Saunders was forced into a series of crucial, last ditch saves while Connection’s Colombian attacker Yefer Lozano had struck the bar, Arcia muffed a sitter and Jones and Silvio Spann both went close to scoring.

The Guaya midfield pairing of Ryan Stewart and Leston Paul was, as usual, as solid as rent while wingers Kevin Jagdeosingh and Jody Allsop both had a peek at goal. But, collectively, Guaya could not match its opponents in white shirts.

And, five minutes into the second half, the Green Army was reeling from a devastating blow from Connection’s stealth bomber as “JJ” collected the ball, 25 yards from goal, and shuffled his way through a packed Guaya defence as effortlessly as a child jumping rope at recess.

Jones spun left to evade Allsop, then back right to eliminate Beville Joseph; a faked shot fooled Marcus Ramkhelewan and some nifty footwork took him past John Stewart and Campbell. Saunders never stood a chance as Jones, now inside the area, unleashed a left footed rocket for a breath-taking opening goal.

Guaya needed a miracle now and it did not help that the club’s own wizard, Stewart (R), was forced to limp off the field with a thigh injury in the 63rd minute.

Within seconds of Stewart’s substitution, Connection doubled its lead on the break. Jones’ brilliant pass from the outside of his left boot sent Arcia clear and the forward finished emphatically with one touch into the top right hand corner. Bois!

And, despite an entertaining second half cameo from Paul, Benjamin completed the rout in the 74th minute as he ran on to another delightfully threaded Jones pass and expertly rounded Saunders to score.

“The Guaya team didn’t play a bad game,” said Fevrier. “But we have more experienced players and I think that made the difference.”

Connection will play another Super League team in the final but there is little chance that Club Sando will be surprised by anything that Fevrier’s men cook up.

Sando head coach Anthony Streete was a Connection assistant coach, just six months ago, and nine of Sando’s starters yesterday were former Connection players.

Streete explained he has deep admiration for the Connection club that offered him a job within 24 hours of his departure from St Ann’s Rangers. Streete and Fevrier were also former colleagues as players at Trintoc.

“I always said Connection has the best set up in the country,” he said. “You have to play football to beat Connection and I like that. I also believe more in tactical football than rough play.”

Not that the Toyota Classic final will not have an edge to it.

Fevrier claimed that six of Sando’s players yesterday, Kern Cupid, Kemuel Rivers, Jesse Downing, Parris, Fredericks, and Marchan, reneged on their contracts with Connection over the past 18 months before they ended up at Sando.

He blamed this exodus for Connection’s latest wave of South American and Caribbean players, which filled the gaps.

“(Sando’s) players had more formal coaching and Pro League experience (than Guaya),” said Fevrier. “So, I feel their tactical understanding of the game will be better… Obviously they want to beat us because they came from us.

“But we come like their parents and we want to show them that our club is still here and still solid.”

The Toyota Classic final should be a captivating family feud.

(Teams)

W Connection (4-2-1-3): 18.Jelani Archibald (GK); 24.Joao Ananais (39.Alvin Jones 83), 19.Joel Russell, 25.Christian Ocoro Viveros, 2.Kurt Frederick; 3.Gerard Williams (captain), 7.Silvio Spann (28.Yhon Stiven Lopez 82); 10.Joevin Jones; 65.Neil Benjamin,14.Hashim Arcia, 27.Yefer Steven Lozano (40.Jomal Williams 72).

Unused substitutes: 22.Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 6.Celio Da Silva, 13.Devaughn Elliot, 29.Jem Gordon.

Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier

Guaya United (1-4-4-1): 1.Kevon Saunders (GK); 14.Sherlon Campbell; 77.Leroy Jones, 2.Marcus Ramkhelawan, 19.Beville Joseph (9.Earlon Thomas 70), 5.John Stewart; 4.Kevin Jagdeosingh, 17.Ryan Stewart (captain) (6.Zavion Navarro 63), 18.Leston Paul, 7.Jody Allsop; 10.Carlon Huges (27.Kheelon Ferrier 66).

Unused substitutes: 80.Marius Des-Cartes (GK), 8.Kerdell Alfred, 13.Marvin Brown, 26.Kendes Garcia.

Coach: Calvin Hughes

Referee: Michael London

Toyota Classic Semi-final results (Sat Nov 24)

Club Sando 3 (Kerron Smith 14, Anthony Parris 72 pen, Devon Modeste 90+), Defence Force 2 (Jerwyn Balthazar 76, Devorn Jorsling 84) at Couva

W Connection 3 (Joevin Jones 50, Hashim Arcia 64, Neil Benjamin 74), Guaya United 0 at Couva

[King Deese]

Anthony Parris and Ryan Fredericks(Club Sando), Joevin Jones and Jomal Williams(WConnection), Leston Paul and Ryan Stewart(Guaya), Curits Gonzales, Jerwyn Balthazar and Ross Russell, Jr.(Defence Force). Which midfielder(s) elevated his game and his team's game to another level that was worthy of a national team call up? And why? Include any other midfielder who was not mentioned. Just curious.

[Tiresais]

Congrats to Sando! Looks like the Northern/Central teams had better watch out for the South this year

[SWF Reporter]

Wired868 hails our Toyota Classic All-Stars
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

Present Pro League leaders DIRECTV W Connection and Super League leaders Club Sando will square off from 8 pm on Saturday November 30 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva to contest the 2013 Toyota Classic crown.

The winning team on the night pockets $50,000 while second place is worth $20,000.

But spare a thought for the individual stand-out performances that helped to make this year’s Classic such a thrilling contest. Wired868 did.

Wired868’s Classic All Stars:

Kevon Saunders (Guaya United/Goalkeeper):
Saunders’ distribution needs work but he is solid where it counts. The Guaya goalkeeper is brave, alert and, just as importantly, lucky.

Joao Ananais (W Connection/Right back):
Ananais had an uncertain start to his Connection career but has since found the right mix between attack and defence. He is always composed in possession and uses the ball well.

Sherlon Campbell (Guaya United/Defender):
The man or the ball might pass Campbell but rarely both. A quick, clever and uncompromising defender.

Andre Ettienne (Point Fortin Civic/Defender):
Ettienne is usually the last thing a striker sees before the medics scoop him up. He could have had a role in “300” but he would have survived and made everyone look bad.

Kemuel Rivers (Club Sando/Left back):
Rivers always looks enthusiastic about his job and is elegant in possession. He rarely has a bad game.

Ryan Stewart (Guaya United/Midfielder):
Is it possible that the best orthodox midfielder in the local game plays in the Super League? Guaya fans call their captain “Veron” and there is not much wrong with that assessment; he even scores free kicks.

Jerwyn Balthazar (Defence Force/Midfielder):
He is the Pro League’s answer to “Happy Feet.” An intelligent, composed midfielder, Balthazar never stops moving and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Joevin Jones (W Connection/Playmaker):
“JJ” is simply the Pro League’s most gifted footballer. Not sure what to do? Just pass him the ball. Like a good shift supervisor, he always figures it out.

Kevon Carter (Defence Force/Winger):
Carter has not been at his flying best so far this season. Yet, he still has two Classic goals with a few assists for good measure. Be very afraid of this wing demon when he hits his stride.

Teba McKnight (Club Sando/Forward):
Skilful, versatile and, above all, a true team player; McKnight would probably wash the wares for Sando if had to. He is the glue that holds a talented team together.

Devon Modeste (Club Sando/Winger):
Modeste is probably Trinidad and Tobago’s second-best utility player after Joevin Jones but he rarely gets any credit for that. His skilful play and precise delivery, especially from corner kicks, have been vital for Sando.

Notable mentions:

Jelani Archibald (W Connection/Goalkeeper):
Connection finally looks ready to move on since the seismic departure of former goalkeeper and captain Jan-Michael Williams, thanks to this 22-year-old Kittian.

Kern Cupid (Club Sando/Right back):
Steady and capable, Cupid remains one of local football’s best right backs.

Leston Paul (Guaya United/Midfielder):
Paul operated admirably as Ryan Stewart’s deputy in central midfield. But he can run the show too. At just 23, Paul is definitely a future senior “Soca Warrior.”

Gerard Williams (W Connection/Midfielder):
The Pro League’s answer to Claude Makelele. The St Kitts and Nevis international does the dirty work with relish and is remarkably consistent.

Anthony Parris (Club Sando/Midfielder):
Don’t forget his name. This versatile 22-year-old midfielder is going places.

Gorian Highley (Malabar FC):
If you give him a peek at your goal, it’s already too late.

[Sam]

Good stuff Lasana, but ah find yuh coulda give we a lil more on de players.

What about Jelani Archibald, Leston Paul, Kevin Jagdeosingh, Rundell Winchester, Dwight Quintero and Gorian Highley.

[amielisadore]

That's a well balanced team. And na Sam, Winchester had only played about 30 mins of the Classic and Quintero didn't offer much for most of the two games he played. Lasana also made mention of everyone on your list bar Jagdeosingh.

[Sam]

Sorry they Lasana, good team.

I just read de entire article, still woulda like a lil more on de players, but great read and good idea.

[Coop's]

Good stuff Lasana, but ah find yuh coulda give we a lil more on de players.

What about Jelani Archibald, Leston Paul, Kevin Jagdeosingh, Rundell Winchester, Dwight Quintero and Gorian Highley.

     We know about them already,lets hear about those diamonds in the Super League who we don't know about.

[Controversial]

Good stuff Lasana, but ah find yuh coulda give we a lil more on de players.

What about Jelani Archibald, Leston Paul, Kevin Jagdeosingh, Rundell Winchester, Dwight Quintero and Gorian Highley.

     We know about them already,lets hear about those diamonds in the Super League who we don't know about.

 

[Tiresais]

Excellent stuff!

[King Deese]

If I am not mistaken. Today is the 29th of November, the day of the Classic. One of the biggest games of the year. A funny thing happened on the way to that game. Nobody gave a damn to update the thread that basically informs those of us abroad who are unable to see the game. Some of us rely on the updates of those who have the privilege to see the game with the ability to relay those updates to us as it happens.

Un-f@#king- believ-able.

Jokey forum.

[Football supporter]

If I am not mistaken. Today is the 29th of November, the day of the Classic. One of the biggest games of the year. A funny thing happened on the way to that game. Nobody gave a damn to update the thread that basically informs those of us abroad who are unable to see the game. Some of us rely on the updates of those who have the privilege to see the game with the ability to relay those updates to us as it happens.

Un-f@#king- believ-able.

Jokey forum.

The Final is on Saturday 30th at 8pm 

[maxg]

bwta

[King Deese]

If I am not mistaken. Today is the 29th of November, the day of the Classic. One of the biggest games of the year. A funny thing happened on the way to that game. Nobody gave a damn to update the thread that basically informs those of us abroad who are unable to see the game. Some of us rely on the updates of those who have the privilege to see the game with the ability to relay those updates to us as it happens.

Un-f@#king- believ-able.

Jokey forum.

The Final is on Saturday 30th at 8pm 

What!!!! Don't get excited. I am reiterating a date that was previously printed by the guardian and the tt proleague website.

[dreamer]

TT Pro League
Crowds flock at Toyota Football Classic

A section of the crowd during last weekend's Toyota Classic semi-final round at the Ato Boldon Stadium
http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/competitions/competition-news/t-t-classic/13358-crowds-flock-to-toyota-classic-encounters.html

“Look at people,” said one surprised off-duty match official, who turned up to witness last weekend’s Toyota Classic semi-final matches at the Ato Boldon Stadium, involving Pro League heavyweights Defence Force and DIRECTV W Connection against  the Super League’s top two, Club Sando and  Guaya United, which managed to attract close to 3000 fans.

 Sando defeated Defence Force 3-2 and will meet W Connection, 3-0 winners over Guaya, in the Final from 8pm on Saturday at the very same Couva venue. But it was the semi-final round crowd that left many pleased.

“It’s a spectacular atmosphere! It could only do well for football,” said retired Trinidad and Tobago football icon, Leonson Lewis, who witnessed both semi-final matches.

“It’s a long-time I haven’t seen a crowd like this at a local game, and it really, really speaks well for the future of football,” he beamed, as the large crowd that has been a trademark of the Toyota-sponsored knock-out tournament roared in the background at the on-field action.

 Trinidad and Tobago Senior Team head coach Stephan Hart, himself among the masses witnessing the matches, couldn’t conceal his pleasure with the size of the crowd which, at times, disrupted his view from the VIP box, as patrons searched for seats in the packed main stand.

“I’m delighted to see such tremendous support at a local game and the teams could only grow from that,” said Hart.

“Some of the things we’re seeing here …the energy from the crowd. It pushes the teams and that’s important,” the “Soca Warriors” boss pointed out.

 While the recent surge in attendance has surprised many, particularly for the popular Toyota Classic, which matches the best Super League teams against the more established Pro League outfits, one man isn’t dropping his jaw at the tide of spectators flooding the gates.

 In fact, TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene, while admitting that the competition has exceeded expectations, said that the large crowds are not coincidental.

“It has reinforced in our minds that strategically we are on target, we at the League and Toyota have always been saying that this brand extension the Toyota Classic, which pits the Pro League teams against the Super league teams was a novel idea and would develop into a major tournament. We also took the decision to take the games to the fields in the communities, which has built the following,” said Skeene.

 The Pro league administrator, who also believes that the crowds are a key performance indicator, further stated, “The Pro League continues to improve as the best leagues in the world are judged on quality of football, competitiveness, viability and crowd support. So we are making strides with this growth in attendance.”

The chanting, screaming , drum beating spectators, many of whom have followed teams like Guaya United in their hundreds all the way to Point Fortin and Couva, seemed to echo Skeene’s sentiments as they lapped up every bit of action on the field and even challenged rival fans and players.

“If you don’t have spectators, (then what’s) the energy in the game in any sport? If you take that out of the game, it’s like a closed door concert … a waste of time! So I’m really encouraged to see the crowd,” said Kirth Regis, an off-duty fireman who attended the semi-final matches.

 Lewis agreed, adding, “The crowd is the motivation on the day of the game, and sometimes you come to the stadium and see such good football with no crowd. It takes away from the game, [because] the crowd makes even the good football seem better.”

 “All we have is a local team and we play a boss game. We proud of our team in Guaya,” shouted Clyde Phillips, one of several hundred green clad supporters who remained dancing on the field even after watching his team go down 3-0 against W Connection.

 It is the type of support, spirit and sense of community that Pro League and local football administrators would love to see continue long after the final whistle in Saturday’s final when Club Sando faces W Connection.

 The day of football’s deliverance may not yet be at hand, but judging from the support the Toyota Classic has been able to drum up, a revival is clearly on the way.

 As local football and community teams continue to make disciples in the stands, administrators, fans and players cannot be faulted for believing that football’s second coming may be around the corner

[Football supporter]

If I am not mistaken. Today is the 29th of November, the day of the Classic. One of the biggest games of the year. A funny thing happened on the way to that game. Nobody gave a damn to update the thread that basically informs those of us abroad who are unable to see the game. Some of us rely on the updates of those who have the privilege to see the game with the ability to relay those updates to us as it happens.

Un-f@#king- believ-able.

Jokey forum.

The Final is on Saturday 30th at 8pm 

What!!!! Don't get excited. I am reiterating a date that was previously printed by the guardian and the tt proleague website.

To be fair, KD, it was originally carded for the 29th but was changed two weeks ago.