Central, Connection pull away from P/League pack; but signs for worry spotted

[SWF Reporter]

Central, Connection pull away from Pro League pack
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

Seven points separate second place DIRECTV W Connection from third place North East Stars in the Pro League at present and bear in mind that Connection also has a game in hand.
Yesterday evening that potential 10-point gap seemed to flatter Stars.
San Juan Jabloteh and Point Fortin Civic have had their own reasons to be relatively pleased with their performances this season but the reality is the local top flight has now become a duopoly between Couva rivals, Central FC and W Connection.
At the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Central eased past Caledonia AIA 2-0 to move five points clear at the top of the table while the Connection team, which has played a game less, defeated Stars by a similar score line.
The fact that the final score summaries seem civil arguably represents the weakness in the strength of the Pro League leaders. They are walking through this competition and they know it.
Central and Trinidad and Tobago international attacking midfielder Ataulla Guerra perhaps is the best personification of this conundrum. The tall, athletic, regal playmaker is the best player in the country. Yet, he has barely started half of his team’s outings this season.
Guerra has twice been suspended and had the odd injury. Otherwise, Central coach Zoran Vranes has opted to leave him on the sidelines in an apparent effort to provoke a reaction from the player and partly because the team can afford to start without him.
Not for the first time, Guerra came off the bench to inspire Central to victory over his former employer, Caledonia. But this was not because the “Couva Sharks” lacked the tools while he sat on the bench. Rather, there is a hint that Guerra’s nonchalance is spreading and Vranes did not have his Chief Whip, veteran Marvin Oliver, on the field yesterday to keep the squad in check.
When a solid, bustling midfielder like Leston Paul is repeatedly putting his foot on the ball, slowing down the play and making backward passes, there is the hint of a team lacking in ruthlessness. It might not harm their title chances much or affect their upcoming Caribbean qualifiers. But, without a fierce appetite to push themselves to the limit, their time in the CONCACAF competition will be brief.
Connection’s problem is slightly different. The “Savonetta Boys” are in transition and doubt remains as to whether the club has found the quality to replace recent exports. At times, Connection lacks guile upfront while the deep-lying midfield role, which is so vital to their tempo, has not been adequately filled since former “Soca Warrior” Clyde Leon’s health problems forced him to take a sabbatical from the game.
Yet, neither Caledonia nor Stars seriously tested either team yesterday.

Read more

[Flex]

Front runners Central, W Connection register 2-0 wins over Caledonia, N/E Stars respectively.
ttproleague.com.

Guerra inspires Central to win over former employers, Connection extend unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions

Ataullah Guerra was called upon as a second half substitute against his former employers Caledonia AIA on Tuesday and became involved in a deadlock-breaking goal before scoring another to earn Digicel Pro League leaders Central FC a 2-0.

But the result only temporarily extended the "Couva Sharks"' lead before second placed DIRECTV W Connection also recorded a 2-0 win to defeat third placed North East Stars in the second match of a Round Three Match Day Three double-header contested at the Marvin Lee Stadium.

Willis Plaza gave Central a 1-0 lead in the 63rd minute for his 8th league goal this season. The Trinidad and Tobago international forward was alert in the box to capitalise on rebound off the crossbar – ahead of Caledonia defenders and substitute goalkeeper D'Eandre Villaroel – following a strike from above the box by Guerra.

Guerra, who was thrown into the mix at the expense of defender Marcelle Francois following the break, then guaranteed victory in the 89th minute with his 10th league goal this season for a 2-0 score.

The T&T international midfielder slotted past Villaroel from close up following a sweeping play on the right and into the box, involving Plaza, Kaydion Gabriel and Sean de Silva.

Caledonia had suffered their first blow in the 32nd minute of play when goalkeeper Shemel Louison had to be replaced by the teenaged Villaroel, who had represented San Juan North Secondary in the Secondary Schools League last season.

Louison, Grenada national team goalie, had picked up a knock — to his face it appeared – after colliding with teammate, Haitian defender Pierre Hitner, whilst making a low gather to deny Central a scoring chance.

Louison had earlier made an excellent one-handed save to put behind a left-footed strike by De Silva, which was intended for the inside of the near post in the 16th minute.

But that was the only on-target attempt by Central prior to Plaza breaking the deadlock just over the hour mark.

Plaza had three from a total six near misses by the Zoran Vranes-coached Central before scoring. Jamal Jack, Leston Paul and De Silva had the others while Caledonia’s Nathan Lewis forced the best save out of goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams in the 5th minute with a volley.

Central had other tries prior to Guerra’s late, but Villaroel were able to make saves denying Guerra in the 75th and 93rd minutes, and substitute Jason Marcano in the 84th minute.

Needless to say, the goals came and Central (13-3-3, 42 points) maintained their five points lead on second placed W Connection (11-4-3, 37 points), while North East Stars (9-3-7, 30 points) continue to occupy third and Caledonia (5-4-9, 19 points) in eight.

Akeem Garcia gave Connection the lead in the 41st minute against North East Stars – the team also ranked third after Connection and Central with the best defensive record this season.

The Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 forward dispatched a low strike into the far lower corner from inside the right of the box after meeting a defence-splitting pass by midfielder Devaughn Elliot.

That goal came after the cross bar denied goals on either end. Fifteen minutes inside the match North East Stars’ defender Jesus Perez met a Jayson Joseph free-kick with a diving header, only to see goalkeeper Julani Archibald keep it out with a superb one-handed save. And on the rebound winger Kion Joseph, who was later denied by Archibald in the 40th minute, smashed the ball towards goal but that cannoned off the cross bar to Connection’s delight.

Connection’s Colombian midfielder Yhon Stiven Reyes Lopez was also denied by the cross bar in the 23rd minute after letting off a strike from the edge of the box.

Connection forward Hashim Arcia, who was denied by Stars’ goalkeeper Cleon John in the 54th and 65th minutes, finally made it 2-0 in the 84th minute, smashing in from close up, Jerrel Britto's rebound which crashed off the far upright.

The win extended Connection’s unbeaten run in the league to six matches, and nine in all competitions, while Central boasts a five-match undefeated stretch in the league and eight in all competitions.

Round Three Match Day Three will continue on Wednesday 11 March at the very same Marvin Lee Stadium with cellar-placed St. Ann’s Rangers (0-1-17, 1 point) against seventh-placed Police FC (6-5-7, 23 points) from 6 pm and sixth-placed Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh (7-5-6, 26 points) against Point Fortin Civic (8-3-7, 27 points) from 8 pm.

Central, Connection and North East Stars, however, will shift their focus, along with Defence Force, to Sunday’s semi-final round of the 2015 TTFA FA Trophy competition. The match-ups, venues and times are expected to be revealed on Wednesday afternoon following a random draw at the TTFA office at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

Round Three Match Day Three Results

Central FC 2 (Willis Plaza 63', Ataullah Guerra 89') vs Caledonia AIA 0

W Connection 2 (Akeem Garcia 41', Hashim Arcia 84') vs North East Stars 0

Teams

Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams; 3.Keon Goodridge, 12.Jamal Jack, 6.Leston Paul, 24.Kevon Villaroel, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 33.Willis Plaza, 2.Elton John, 17.Marcelle Francois (45.Ataullah Guerra 46th), 8.Sean de Silva (5.Akeem Benjamin 90th), 28.Borfor Carr (7.Jason Marcano 64th)

Unused substitutes: 99.Dwight Quintero, 1.Javon Sample (GK), 14.Jean-Luc Rochford, 29.Upston Edwards

Coach: Zoran Vranes

Caledonia AIA: 1.Shemel Louison (34.D'Eandre Villaroel 32nd); 5.Christoper Mejia, 22.Jameel Neptune, 12.Kareem Joseph, 9.Keyon Edwards, 28.Pernell Schultz (31.Domini Garnett 55th), 23.Jamil Joseph, 27.Nathan Lewis, 16.Pierre Hitner (Yellow Card), 26.Nicholas Mercano, 29.Mikaeel Jem Gordon (8.Keron Bethelmy 66th)

Unused substitutes: 4.Conrad Smith, 20.Rogelio Robinson, 32.Kyle Bartholomew, 35.Israel Honore

Coach: Jerry Moe

Referee: Crystal Sobers

Teams

W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald; 5.Mekeil Williams (C), 12.Jerrel Britto, 3.Gerard Williams, 13.Devaughn Elliot (25.Christian Viveros 74th), 29.Akeem Garcia, 14.Hashim Arcia, 26.Maurice Ford, 27.Shannon Gomez, 36.Triston Hodge (2.Kurt Frederick 80th), 8.Yhon Stiven Reyes Lopez (40.Jomal Williams 75th)

Unused substitutes: 22.Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 10.Yefer Steven Lozano, 20.Christian Rodriguez, 43.Shirvone St. Prix

Coach: Stuart Charles Fevrier

North East Stars: 22.Cleon John; 4.Keithy Simpson, 12.Jayson Joseph (26.Zavion Navarro 86th), 15.Glenton Wolfe, 25.Keryn Navarro, 38.Jesus Perez, 6.Jeromie Williams (Yellow Card) (41.Neveal Hackshaw 42nd), 44.Kion Joseph (40.Jomoul Francois 77th), 23.Kennedy Hinkson, 14.Dwane James, 10.Keron Cummings

Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkeley (GK), 5.Aquil Selby, 18.Kaashif Thomas

Coach: Angus Eve

Referee: Rodphin Harris