Defence Force head coach Marvin Gordon, goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke, defender Curtis Gonzales, midfielder Christopher Durity and forward Jamille Boatswain, now attached to Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense, are awarded mobile devices for their individual performances in the 2017 Digicel Pro Bowl final from last season’s title sponsors, Digicel.
Digicel, although no longer title sponsors of the Pro League and the Pro Bowl knockout competition, fulfilled their commitment to reward Gordon, Clarke, Durity and Trinidad and Tobago internationals Gonzales and Boatswain for their performances as Best Coach, Best Goalkeeper, Best Midfielder, Best Defender and Best Forward, respectively, in the 2017 Digicel Pro Bowl.
Defence Force, champions of 2012 and 2016, successfully retained the TT$100,000 “Winner Takes All” Digicel Pro Bowl final on February 19, defeating Central FC 5-3 on penalties following a fiercely-fought 2-2 draw at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Gordon’s side also captured last season’s First Citizens Cup but are currently sixth on this season’s Pro League standings with just 9 points from as many games.
“We are not in a good position [in the league],” conceded Durity. “But we still have to be confident we can have good performances for the rest of the season and see how best we can finish the league.
Durity, one of the remaining members of Defence Force’s 2010/11 and 2012/13 Pro League-winning teams, said his side have been too inconsistent.
“Last season we were able to concentrate uninterrupted for the three weeks that knockouts usually run, but haven’t been able to do the same in the league and it’s something we have to work on this season. Our mental preparation needs to improve if we are to challenge for the league title,” said the veteran midfielder.
“Mathematically it’s still possible but we need to be realistic and take it one game at a time and see how best we can finish.”
W Connection and Club Sando are tied at the top of the Pro League 2017 standings with 17 points, while North East Stars, San Juan Jabloteh and defending champions Central FC occupy third, fourth and fifth, respectively, with nine regular games left in the truncated season.
Durity explained his team are in a rebuilding phase with a number of new additions in the likes of Dylon King, Reon Moore, Jerome Mc Intyre and Shaquille Bertrand.
“As members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force we always pride ourselves in being the best,” continued Durity. “We understand the dynamics of competing against teams that are fully concentrated on the game, but at the end of the day we still need to push and represent our organization at best. We are still persevering at this stage of the season.”
Defence Force will return to action in September following a month-long Pro League break to facilitate the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s Senior Team preparations for the resumption of FIFA 2018 Men’s World Cup qualifying.