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RAYMOND MC LEAN, manager of the VIBE CT 105 W Connection said his team is pretty confident of holding onto their First Citizens Bank Cup title when this year’s tournament kicks off.

The “Savonetta Boys” are currently ahead of the seven-team T&T Professional Football League Senior Division standings with 36 points, having won 12 of 13 matches.

The quarterfinal round of the FCB Cup will feature two double-headers on Friday at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar and Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, both from 6.45 pm.

However title-holders W Connection are already through to the semifinals having received a bye as the top team in the PFL at the end of round 14 matches.

This means that the Reynold Carrington-coached W Connection will only be in an exhibition match on Friday.

This was announced by Dexter Skeene, chief executive officer of the PFL at the launch of the $130,000 competition at First Citizens Bank, Abercromby Street Penthouse, yesterday.

In a first by the league, W Connection, winners of the FCB Cup on two occasions and beaten finalist, also on two occasions will face First Citizens Bank football team in an exhibition encounter from 6.45 pm at Marabella.

This match will be followed by a clash between Caledonia AIA/Fire and United Petrotrin from 9 pm as they begin their battle for the $35,000 first prize. Second place gets $30,000.

At Marabella, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, winners of the Pro Bowl this season, comes up against Tobago United in the first match at 6.45 pm and

Defence Force, last year’s beaten finalist play National Quarries North East Stars in the second match.

The winners of the Defence Force/North East Stars match will meet W Connection in one semifinal on September 23 while the AIA/Fire and United Petrotrin winner meets the winner of the San Juan Jabloteh and Tobago United match for a place in the final at Marabella, one week later.

All matches will be 90 minutes and in the outcome of a deadlock at the end of regulation time, the teams will go straight into penalty-kicks.

In his brief address, Skeene said that the FCB Cup always brings out the best in the local clubs and he anticipates that this year’s competition will surpass the heights reached last year.

“We had record attendances for both the semi-finals and finals whereby over 5,000 spectators attended, and we expect no different this time around.

“The PFL prides itself in trying to give value to our stake-holders and to be innovative, all in the right environment.”

Skeene also announced that fans will also be privy to give-aways and a $1,000 cash prize at the interval of every match in a dash for cash initiative.

A ticket will be drawn from the crowd and the person will then do a shuttles drill between some cones before shooting at an open goal with the hope of walking off with the money.

FCB employees and card-holders will also be allowed free admission to all the matches.

Michael Lopez, communications officer of FCB noted that his company sponsors the tournament

because it recognised the wealth of excellence and talent in the PFL.

“This type of continued support provides the PFL with a secure financial framework that will enable them to bring to fruition, the major capital development goals that they face in the near future.

“Football not only provides entertainment and an opportunity to socialise, but more importantly, it creates employment for many people who all work very hard to make the sport a success.

First Citizens Cup fixtures

Friday

(A) - W Connection vs FCB (exhibition), 6.45pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

(C) - Caledonia AIA/Fire vs United Petrotrin, 9pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

(B) - San Juan Jabloteh vs Tobago United, 6.45pm, Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.

(D) - Defence Force vs North East Stars, 9pm, Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.

Semifinal

Friday September 23

(M) - A vs D, 6pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

(N) - B vs C, 8pm, Manny Ramjohb Stadium, Marabella.

Final

Friday September 30

Loser M vs Loser N, 6pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

Winner M vs Winner N, 8pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella