SAN JUAN Jabloteh and Caledonia AIA, who were both unable to begin their 2011-2012 Digicel Pro League seasons earlier this month, due to the absence of defending champs Defence Force and last year’s table-proppers Police, will both get their campaigns on the road today.
In their Round One Match Day One fixtures on September 9 and 10, Jabloteh were scheduled to face Police while Defence Force were due to oppose Caledonia.
Only two games were contested so far, both ending in 2-1 results — debutants TTEC over North East Stars (on September 9 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya) and W Connection over St Ann’s Rangers (September 10 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva).
Today will be a double-header in Round One Match Day Two, with Jabloteh squaring-off against Rangers at five o’clock, followed by the North East — Caledonia meeting.
Ironically, both teams met on Friday in the First Citizens Cup quarter-final Match Day Three double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, with Jabloteh edging Rangers 2-1 while AIA whipped North East 2-0.
Jabloteh, under new coach Earl Carter, will be reliant on their “old” guard — goalkeeper Cleon John, defenders Nigel Daniel and Karlon Murray, captain Marvin Oliver, attackers Jason Marcano and Hector Sam.
Rangers, on the other hand, recruited a pair of ex-national players Trent Noel and Errol McFarlane during the off-season, while they also brought back goalkeeper Shane Mattis from the now-defunct Ma Pau SC, and central defender Kareem Moses from Joe Public.
Caledonia will be missing Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Densil Theobald, who joined Indian Premier League outfit Dempo SC, but for Friday’s game, they got a good shift from their player/assistant coach Travis Mulraine.
Akim Armstrong netted twice on Friday, while Jamal Gay, Micah Lewis and Trevin Caesar, all past/present national youth team players, have fitted in nicely to the scheme of things.
Another new recruit has been free agent defender David Atiba Charles, a member of the national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
North East have lost all three games thus far — the last two in the First Citizens Cup, and will need to get their act together to prevent further misery against the steady Caledonia outfit.
League Championship on Tuesday with First Citizens quarters repeat.
ttproleague.com.
St. Ann’s Rangers and DIRECTV North East Stars coming off disappointing First Citizens Cup quarterfinal defeats last Friday will try to avoid the déjà vu effect against opponents San Juan Jabloteh and Caledonia AIA respectively on Tuesday at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Round One Match Day Two of the Digicel Pro League Championship.
Rangers coming off a 2-1 defeat against Jabloteh to exit the First Citizens Cup at the Hasely Crawford Stadium will meet the San Juan club from 5pm at the Macoya venue, and North East Stars also still fresh from Friday’s 2-0 defeat against Caledonia, will face the Morvant/Laventille club from 7pm.
There are two differences this time around, with the venue being the Marvin Lee Stadium Astroturf and the tournament is the League Championship.
Jabloteh and Caledonia into the semi-final round of the First Citizens Cup against each other on Friday 30 September will definitely look for positive results on Tuesday plus a good start to their 2011-2012 League Championship campaign.
Meantime Rangers and North East are not only seeking to rebound from last Friday’s defeats, but also Round One Match Day One defeats against T&TEC (2-1) and W Connection (2-1) respectively.
“I think we’re set this time to face Jabloteh,” said Rangers head coach Anthony Streete. “We will be more prepared for them and we would not be a man short for most of the game. I think we will be up for a more exciting game.”
“I think the match [against Jabloteh last Friday] was an even match,” he added.
“I think we had the better exchanges in the early stage but failed to capitalize through striker Keon Trim.”
Rangers defender Jevon Morris was shown a direct red card five minutes before the half and had a penalty overturn and another penalty saved by Jabloteh goalkeeper Cleon John in the final 11 minutes.
“I think it was an error in the officiating in the first instance when the penalty was overruled and we were given a free-kick after the linesman ran to towards the penalty box,” continued the Rangers coach. “I think we threw away the game with the failed penalty by Trent Noel.”
Streete also had a positive, crediting the performance of teenaged winger Shaquille Nesbitt in the First Citizens Cup.
North East head coach Shurland David is also of the belief that his side would get it right against Caledonia on Tuesday in their Match Day Two League clash.
“We’re in a hole right now and are just not putting the ball in the back of the net,” said David following his team’s defeat against Caledonia in their final First Citizens Cup quarterfinal Group B match on Friday night.
“However we are going to continue the fight because the season is still young having played just one League match and a knockout tournament. So we still have four knockouts and the League to play for.
“At least we have been improving in our play because we have been getting the chances,” he continued. “But it’s just to start putting the ball in the back of the net.”
David is confident that pre-season marquee signing Stern John, who scored on debut against W Connection in a 4-1 defeat on Tuesday 20 September but failed on a couple chances against Caledonia, will find form with his new club.
“It’s early still but he would start getting it right soon.
“We face Caledonia again on Tuesday and I believe we would get it right,” ended the Stars coach.
2011-2012 Digicel Pro League Championship
Round One Match Day Two
Marvin Lee Stadium
St. Ann’s Rangers vs San Juan Jabloteh—5pm
North East Stars vs Caledonia AIA—7pm