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Offline Flex

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W Connection wins the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown.
« on: May 07, 2014, 10:24:08 AM »
W Connection wins the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown.
ttproleague.com.


W Connection clinched the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown on Tuesday night by dismantling Defence Force's attempt at the trophy with a 4-1 victory thanks to a double by Joevin Jones and a goal each by Stefano Rijssel and Hashim Arcia with one match to spare.

The “Savonnetta Boys” claiming their 5th league crown in the club’s 15-year history – three times in the Pro League (2005, 2011-2012 and 2013-2014) and twice in the previous PFL (2000 and 2001) – and for the first time in the history of the professional league a $1,000,000 winners’ reward.

Connection, who played to a 2-2 draw against the defending champions Defence Force last Friday in a rescheduled match, once led the standings by 15-points this season, but secured the title with 49 points; four points clear the army/coastguard combination with just one match remaining.

Finding it difficult to relieve himself of the words of joy, W Connection owner/president David John-Williams stuttered as he said, “It’s our 15th anniversary … we [recently] lost the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield, and people doubted this team.

“I want to say hats off to the guys … they believed. They won the championship convincingly. They really bounced back. I think we really won the championship on Friday when we were down to 10 men [trailing] 2-1 and Alvin Jones scored a monster goal that shifted the momentum back to us.

“This is tremendous. This is tremendous. It means a lot. It means a lot to the organisation: the players, the technical staff, our fans … it means a lot. We have worked very hard for this.

It did not take long for Connection to show they meant business against a depleted Defence Force in front of a 2,700 crowd at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Suriname forward Stefano Rijssel fired Connection 1-0 ahead by the 4th minute of play with a fully stretched Army goalkeeper Kevin Graham no match for a 22-yard left footed strike.

Then by the 31st minute the "Savonnetta Boys" led with a 2-0 cushion when Jones (Joevin) ended a play he started by dispossessing Curtis Gonzales in midfield, feeding a pass to Rijssel and on the return pass he buried the ball past Graham from inside the area.

Josimar Belgrave pulled back a goal in the 37th minute for Defence Force, reducing the deficit 1-2, when his first time hit on a well-placed Kerry Joseph pass behind the Connection defence left goalkeeper Julani Archibald beaten.

But one minute later forward Hashim Arcia restored Connection's two-goal cushion with a 3-1 score before the break when goalscorer Rijssel, with his second assist on the night, provided the pass from the right and Arcia struck past a hapless Graham.

Graham was forced into action eight minutes inside the second period pulling off a save to deny Kurt Frederick

And again in the 67th minute the Defence Force custodian made another save, foiling a Jones (Joevin) attempt following a quick build-up by Connection.

Then when Russell was forced to replace forward Devorn Jorsling (hamstring) on the 70th minute, already fielding a team without injury listed players Aklie Edwards, Dave Long and Jemel Sebro, and forced to utilise an injured Jerwyn Balthazar, there was no stopping Connection’s celebrations in Couva.

Defence Force won applauds from the crowd seven minutes from time when substitute forward Balondemu Julius' acrobatic attempt flew over-bar, and again a minute later when Graham pulled off a low save with the legs to deny Connection substitute Neil Benjamin Jr. on a one-on-one situation.

But in the 86th minute Graham was beaten by a classy chip from distance by Jones (Joevin) who brilliantly dug his left boot under a diagonal pass into the area by Arcia for a 4-1 finish.

“It was great that we were able to reach a point of defending our title,” said Defence Force head coach Ross Russell, citing the various problems his team had to endure this season.

Nine consecutive league wins and one draw prior to Tuesday's match, saw Defence Force reach a position many thought were impossible for a team that was forced to stand down from the game in January because of a self-imposed suspension by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.

The suspension was lifted in February, but in the same month the Defence Force players, already mourning the death of defender Rawle Fletcher, aged 34, who was murdered on December 22, had to also deal with the death of winger Kevon Carter, aged 30, who died of a heart attack on February 28.

“I must give credit to my players for reaching this far,” continued Russell, who also explained he had to do a lot of mixing and matching on Tuesday due to injuries in his squad.

Defence Force (45 points) needs just one point against San Juan Jabloteh on the final match-day next Tuesday to avoid any chance third positioned Central FC (42 points) jumping second to join W Connection for next season's Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship, which is the qualifying competition towards the Concacaf Champions League.

Central will meet St. Ann's Rangers in their final league match, while the 2013-2014 champions will end against Caledonia AIA.

Central were held to a goalless draw by Jabloteh in an earlier match played at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Tuesday.

Jabloteh's Jamaican goalkeeper Shane Mattis had an excellent night denying Kaydion Gabriel, Willis Plaza and an Ataullah Guerra free-kick before teammate Dwane James wasted an excellent scoring opportunity in the 83rd minute, hitting wide of an empty net from an angle.

While a double header carded at the Hasely Crawford Stadium was cancelled by match officials because of an inadequately marked playing surface.

North East Stars were scheduled to meet cellar positioned St. Ann’s Rangers, and Caledonia AIA against Point Fortin Civic.

Results

Defence Force 1—4 W Connection
Stefano Rijssel 4', Joevin Jones 31', 86', Hashim Arcia 38'  ;  Jerwyn Balthazar 37'

Central FC 0—0 San Juan Jabloteh

Teams

W Connection—18. Julani Archibald, 3. Gerard Williams (C), 4. Daneil Cyrus, 2. Kurt Frederick, 7. Silvio Spann (40. Jomal Williams 77th), 10. Joevin Jones, 14. Hashim Arcia, 15. Mekeil Williams, 20. Stefano Rijssel (19. Leslie Joel Russell 79th), 12. Jerrel Britto (65. Neil Benjamin Jr. 56th), 39. Alvin Jones

Unused substitutes—13. Devaughn Elliot, 17. Jamal Clarence, 29. Mickaeel Gem Gordon, 22. Aquelius Sylvester

Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier

Defence Force—1. Kevin Graham, 3. Keston Williams (C), 6. Rodell Elcock, 8. Curtis Gonzales, 17. Ross Russell Jr., 5. Devin Jordan (Yellow Card), 13. Marvin Jones, 23. Kerry Joseph (15. Jerwyn Balthazar 58th), 10. Josimar Belgrave, 30. Akeem Roach (31. Thurlani George 67th), 9. Devorn Jorsling (7. Balondemu Jones 70th)

Unused substitutes—14. Corey Rivers, 15. Jerwyn Balthazar, 18. Sean Narcis, 16. Jamali Garcia, 25. Sheldon Clarke (GK)

Coach—Ross Russell

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline soccerrama

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Re: W Connection wins the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown.
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2014, 02:23:38 PM »
The TT Pro League is not over with DirecTV WConnection FC still having one more game to play against Caledonia AIA. However, seeing that we were crowned the 2013/14 TT Pro League Champions last night there are some things that need to be said:

First off, we would like to give thanks and praise to God for seeing us through this entire football season. He has taken us from strength to strength in the face of trials, struggles, disappointments, criticisms and successes. We pray that going forward He will continue to stand with us and bless all our future endeavors locally, regionally and internationally.

Again, we would like to say thank you to all our sponsors, Directv Caribbean, Eletto Sport, Gatorade T&T, Blue Waters, and The Sports Company of Trinidad & Tobago! You all have provided us with the resources to make this dream a reality and for that we are truly grateful. We hope that you continue on this journey with us as we aim for higher heights.

We want to say a BIG thank you to the DirecTV WConnection FC staff and support/office staff (youth and senior): Our camera men (video and photos), managers, coordinators, social media personnel, physios, equipment men, administrators, doctors, coaches, trainers, psychologists, cooks, cleaners, gardeners, drivers, and all those who dedicate time and energy in this organization. We are truly grateful for all your hard work throughout the season, and to some throughout the years. Without you all this team, this organization would not be what it is today.
A special thank you to our CEO/Owner David John-Williams, our Board of Directors and our Head Coach/Technical Director Stuart Charles Fevrier for their commitment to this team for the past 15 years.

Of course we must say a hearty thank you and congratulations to the players! After all, without them there would be no team. Thank you for your dedication to the club and the game of football. We know that it has been a long and winding road but we want you to know how proud we are of you all. We still have a few games to go so keep pushing and working hard. Remember, the journey has only begun, but yes for now go ahead and enjoy this title win! You all worked hard for it!

Our fans! What would we be without you all? Thank you for all your support throughout the years and to our new fans welcome to the DirecTV WConnection FC family! We appreciate every last one of you local or foreign because DirecTV WConnection FC accepts and loves ALL!
We would also like to say a special thank you to all the family members of our staff and players who support and sacrifice for this team. You all have not gone unnoticed. We are a family and family sticks together!

Thank you to the TT Pro League, Trinidad & Tobago Football Association, Digicel, our fellow Pro League teams, and all others who have made this League possible. We hope that in the upcoming seasons the League will continue working hard to improve and show Trinidad & Tobago that local football is alive and well.

Signed,
DirecTV WConnection FC
2013/14 TT Pro League Champions
"Work hard in silence; Let success make the noise".

« Last Edit: May 07, 2014, 02:31:52 PM by soccerrama »

Offline Deeks

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Re: W Connection wins the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown.
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2014, 04:04:37 PM »
Congrats to John Williams and his Connection. Well done!!!

Offline Flex

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Re: W Connection wins the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown.
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2014, 04:12:37 PM »
Congrats to W Connection, its players and their staff.

Well done guys.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline FireBrand

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Re: W Connection wins the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown.
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2014, 06:01:29 PM »
Congrats W Connection!  :applause:
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Offline Tiresais

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Re: W Connection wins the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown.
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2014, 04:48:17 AM »
Congrats all round, excellent tally of 14 goals for Joevin Jones so far!

Offline Sando

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Re: W Connection wins the 2013-2014 Digicel Pro League crown.
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2014, 10:02:02 AM »
As must as I dont like Connection foreign policies, good going by them, just glad to see they win and not Defence Force or Caledonia.

Cant wait to see Connection and Central in the CFU and hopefully the CCL !!


Offline SWF Reporter

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W for winners: How Joevin Jones and Connection became champions
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2014, 11:44:45 AM »
W for Winners: How Jones and Connection became Pro League champions
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)


Wired868 looks back at the thrilling million dollar Digicel Pro League finale when DIRECTV W Connection and playmaker Joevin Jones crowned themselves as champions.

DIRECTV W Connection attacker Hashim Arcia played a measured pass into the path of teammate and playmaker Joevin Jones as the latter figure darted in off the right flank. Any coaching handbook would instruct him to let the ball run across his body and whack it with his right boot.

Instead, Jones hit it early with his left. For an untrained player, that motion would be as awkward as trying to walk while putting left foot and left arm forward at the same time.

But Jones’ effort looked so graceful as to put the ball in a trance. The sphere soared high over the helpless Defence Force goalkeeper Kevin Graham; and, is if it received new instructions in mid-flight, suddenly dropped sharply to bounce over the goalline. No strings attached.

“Nobody taught me how to (dink the ball),” Jones told Wired868. “I just learned it… It is just technique and composure. I mark a spot on the ball and hit underneath it.”

The score was 4-1 to Connection in the decisive match on Tuesday May 6, in which the “Savonetta Boys” only needed a draw to secure the Digicel Pro League trophy and the $1 million first prize. The destination of the domestic title was effectively decided when Arcia put Connection 3-1 up in the 38th minute.

But Jones had made another statement. And it was that Connection had its swagger back.

On a personal level, Jones needed that moment too. His birth paper suggests that he will be 23 on 8 August 2014; but he might have aged an additional four years this season.

First, he was fined and stripped of the captain’s armband by Connection after being caught playing minor league football and rebuked and dropped by national team coach Stephen Hart for the same infraction—he was eventually re-instated. Then, within the space of four months, a dream trial with Italy Serie A club, Udinese, went so bad that he was sent home early.

As the Pro League’s marquee player and a national team regular, Jones’ screw-ups were national news and provoked lengthy discussions on online forums.

“It was tough but I just tried to keep my head down and keep working,” said Jones. “It was extra motivation.”

But what happened at Udinese?

One minute, Jones was sharing facilities with Italian football icon and club captain Antonio Di Natale; a few hours later, he was on a plane back to Trinidad. It was not a slight on the slender utility player alone; it seemed to be a reality check for the Pro League.

Jones hinted at a simple reason for his botched Italian job.

“I think I was a bit too shy,” he said. “That is how I am, until I really settle into some place… Next time, I will try to be more like myself and show who I really am and what I can do.”

If his unsuccessful trial provoked doubts about the temperament of the talented utility player, soon there were questions being asked about his employer, W Connection, as well. When Connection faced Defence Force last week, the club had failed to defeat a top four Pro League team in five months and there were two defeats and a draw—in all competitions—against bitter Couva rival, Central FC.

The “Savonetta Boys” were limping towards the finish line although favourable results elsewhere meant two points from their two-legged tie against Defence Force on Friday May 2 and Tuesday May 6 would secure the title. The squad spent an entire week in camp for the fixtures.

“We approached the two games as one; as a block,” W Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier told Wired868. “We kept the players in camp from the Wednesday straight until the Tuesday game. We didn’t take the games in isolation.

“We saw it as a two-game final, so to speak.”

Fevrier suggested that the turning point came in the first of Connection’s two May fixtures on the Friday night. A second booking to Colombian utility player Christian Ocoro Viveros meant Connection had just 10 men on the field when Defence Force’s talismanic striker Devorn Jorsling came off the bench to fire his team into a 2-1 lead.

The advantage lasted just two minutes before 19-year-old right back Alvin Jones, Jones’ younger brother, slammed home an equaliser after Defence Force failed to cover its right flank.

“The momentum shifted to us at that moment,” said Fevrier. “I know Army was psychologically affected. They would have told themselves they messed up and some of them would have been a bit down whereas we got motivation and confidence from that situation.

“Our mental attitude was much more positive than Army for the second game. It was clear in our minds that we could win the second game and it was based on what took place in the first game.”

The Connection players privately planned their own psychological battle; a game within a game. For Defence Force’s first goal on Friday, the defending champions celebrated by sprinting towards the sidelines where they took a “selfie” with a waiting cell phone.

It was outstanding showmanship. In that dashing moment, the Army/Coast Guard unit showed it was ready for the big occasion.

Over the weekend, Jones and teammate Jerrel Britto plotted their revenge.

“Our side is full of (jokers) too,” said Jones. “Jerrel Britto and I talked about what we would do and we decided, since we were playing the army, we would march for our next goal.”

Just four minutes into the second leg, Surinamese winger Stefano Rijssel drifted inside from the right flank and surprised Graham with a superb left footed effort into the far corner. And the Connection players produced a neat march past routine, which they ended with a salute.

It felt like two blows were struck at once.

In the 32nd minute, Connection doubled its lead and this item must have hurt too, albeit for a different reason.

Defence Force’s impressive storm up the standings from seventh to second place owed more to collective will than individual talent. But, if there was a stand-out, it would was midfield hardman Curtis “Boyo” Gonzales.

He is the Pro League’s answer to ex-Manchester United legend Roy Keane; a clever but uncompromising box-to-box player with a remarkable appetite for the battle. Inexplicably, Gonzales got caught loitering with the ball, midway in his own half, and Jones stole possession and quickly exchanged passes with Rijssel before firing past Graham.

“He is a tough, aggressive player,” Jones said of his national teammate. “You cannot make any mistake because he would clean you up. You have to be very smart.”

A minute later, Gonzales took a retribution of sorts with a flying challenge on Jones, near the touchline, that somehow did not earn a booking from referee Michael London. But it could not reverse the damage.

A tackle from Jones’ own brother was more costly; his other brother, 28-year-old Marvin Jones, who was promoted to the starting team for Defence Force’s vital game.

Former “Strike Squad” defender Kelvin Jones has four sons and only one, Kevin Jones, did not pursue football as a career. Whichever way the match went, a Jones boy would be a Pro League champion.

“We always support each other,” said Jones. “I go to see my brother play for Army. And my dad watches most of our games. My mom (Merlin) usually goes to our big games too.”

Buoyed by his opening goal, four minutes earlier, Jones tried to drive into space to tee up his trademark long distance strike. But brother Marvin was waiting with a crunching tackle.

Defence Force took immediate advantage with a rapid counter-attack and Kerry Joseph’s typically precise wide delivery was met with a flawless finish by Josimar Belgrave, who has been another stand-out for the “Teteron Boys” of late.

The defending champions had a lifeline. Cruelly, it lasted roughly 120 seconds.

A straightforward ball over the top was missed by stand-in left back Ross Russell Jr, the coach’s son, and central defender Rodell Elcock. And Rijssell pulled the ball backward of square for Hashim Arcia, who showed good technique to steer his effort home at the near post.

Rijssel also endured an unsuccessful trial this year as United States Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit, Seattle Sounders, was not suitably impressed with what it saw of him. He gave a million dollar performance for Connection when it mattered though.

The Savonetta Boys were about to secure their fifth Pro League title, which is a domestic record and one win more than San Juan Jabloteh, who scooped up three titles under rival coach Terry Fenwick and one with his fellow Englishman Ricky Hill.

“This title means a whole lot for the organisation,” said Connection owner David John Williams. “It is our fifth title in our 15th anniversary and the second time we have won the League and FA (in the same season). No other team has done that twice.”

Fevrier suggested that he was happy that everyone else was happy.

“It is more about the club than me,” said the Connection coach. “For me, I am just happy I was able to help the club achieve its objective… I demand a lot from my players and some of them, especially (Daneil) Cyrus have never won a championship. I like my players to achieve success because football is about players.

“Other coaches might dwell on themselves but not me… I am more interested in helping the players to progress and enjoy what football has to offer and help the club to achieve success.

“David invests a lot of his hard-earned money into the football and this is the first time we are playing for a million dollars; so naturally it helps him recover some money.”

For Jones, it meant a rewarding end to a demanding season.

“It means a lot to me and my family and the club,” said Jones. “It was a tough season and we had to make sacrifices. We couldn’t see our family for so long; and there was so much hard training sessions and tactical work and so on.

“The trophy means a lot to us.”

Of course, Jones was not finished yet. In the 86th minute, he teamed up with Arcia to produce a classy finish to local football’s first million dollar match. Next stop is Buenos Aires where Jones is expected to feature at left back or left wing for the “Soca Warriors” against Argentina.

In either position, the ex-Mucurapo Secondary student is likely to run into a certain global superstar and Barcelona icon, Lionel Messi. He better not let on that he is a fan of Messi’s rival and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wisely, Jones said he would rather play in midfield although he explained that he is thinking about his own strengths rather than Argentina’s.

“I can play any position but I would like to play in the attack,” said Jones. “I want to start scoring for my country. I haven’t scored yet for Trinidad and Tobago so I am hoping to score soon.”

Forget Udinese, Jones wants to show that he can handle the big occasion.

“I am looking forward to play against the biggest players in the world,” said Jones, “and knowing that Messi will be there is extra motivation for me.

“I want to reach to the highest level as a player.”

If Jones does leave soon, he could not have given Connection a better send-off.

« Last Edit: May 18, 2014, 05:51:39 AM by Flex »

 

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