Trinidad clubs draw first blood

In the first match of a double header. 2008 Pro League champs Jabloteh took the lead with a 12 minute goal from striker Jerol Forbes. But Forbes goal got canceled out by Claudio Pinas in the 72nd minute. Inter Moengotapoe at the time must had felt they could have stolen a point from the 2008 "Treble Winners" as the goal had brought the 2008 Surinamese champs back into the game and a draw would have been ideal going into the second leg.

But former Caledonia AIA midfield-star Marin Oliver had something to say about that. The man who is known for scoring last minute goals- did it again. Oliver came up big for his employers when he insured his team walked away victorious with an 86th minute goal to send them into the return leg 2-1 winners.

In the second match. South based W Connection had a much easier task at hand as they cruise past their Hatians opponent AS Cavaly 3-1. The 2008 Pro League runners-up got goals from Colombian' Christian Viveros (3rd), T&T national striker Andre Toussaint (49th) and midfield sensation Hughtun Hector (55th). AS Cavaly however did managed to spoil W Connection's custodian Marvin Phillip with coming away with any clean-sheets as in the dying minutes of the game the Haitians stole one back with a 93rd minute item that came from Alex Jean Millien.

Both T&T teams are now set to jet-off to fullfill their return-leg game series but, in opposite directions. San Juan Jabloteh will head off to Suriname while W Connection will touch down in Haiti a place that is known for being strong at home  to play their return-leg game which is carded for April 20th.

A tie would see both T&T teams through, however, playing in Haiti and Suriname is no easy tasks. Both T&T clubs will definitely have to dig deep if they are to have and success in this tournament.

Jabloteh are already in a deep hole as they are without many senior players such as inspirational captain and club 2006, 2007 and 2008 "MVP" Trent Noel, Nigel Daniel, goalkeeper Daurance Williams, Kevon Villaroel, Julien Landeau, Lester Peltier and Cyd Gray.

Key players such as Elton John, Cornell Glen, Jason Marcano, Marvin Oliver, Ataullah Guerra, Robert Primus, Sheldon Bateau, Noel Williams, Devon Jamerson, Jerrel Britto and Jerol Forbes will really have to find a way through for Jabloteh if they are to have any chance off progressing to the next stage. While W Connection will have all- if not most its 2008 star players available to them including the return of talented striker Matthew Bartholomew and Aaron Downing after both had stints in Belgium and Hungary respectively.

The other tie features Antigua’s Greenbay Hoppers and Tempete, of Haiti, with the winners joining Concacaf Champions League semifinalists Puerto Rico Islanders in the semifinals, set for May 15 in T&T. The final and third-place matches will also be played here two days later. The Caribbean Club Champions Cup will qualify three teams to next season’s Concacaf Champions League.

About the opponents.

Associacion Sportif Cavaly (AS Cavaly) is located in Léogâne, Haiti, that currently plays in the Ligue Haitienne. They occupy the Stade Sylvio Cator Ground.

Inter Moengotapoe currently play in Surinam's first division. They play their home games in Moengo at Ronnie Brunswijkstadion Grounds. The team is one of Surinam's most successful in the last years, having won the two last league championships.

Teams Lined-Up.

San Juan Jabloteh: - Cleon John, Marvin Oliver (capt), Anthon Hutchinson, Noel Williams, Elijah Manners, Jerol Forbes, Ataullah Guerra (Earl Jean 74th), Elton John, Devon Jamerson (Willis Plaza 75th), Cyrano Glen, Robert Primus.

Inter Moengotapoe: - Daniel, Adensista (Wanabo 87th), Amoekerie (Maasie 52nd), Banettie (sent off), Bron (Paules 60th), Stryder, Misedjan, Timmy, Slijter, Jeroe, Pinas.

W Connection: - Marvin Phillip, Elijah Joseph (capt), Eder Gilmar Arias, William da Silva Oliveira, Jonathon Frias (Clyde Leon 62nd), Andre Toussaint, Nichcolson Thomas, Hughtun Hector, Matthew Bartholomew (Kevon Woodley 29th), Christian Viveros (Andrei Pacheco 78th), Gerrard Williams.

AS Cavaly: - Andy Collinet, Frantz Gilles, Geraldy Joseph, Changler Henry, Harold Milord, Gerald Alliance, Philippe Barthelmy (Nicoderme Beauge 59th), Alex Jean Millien, Chaderson Charlemagne (Kimberly Francois 75th), Andre Amy.

Connection conquer Cavaly.
...but wary about Haitian trip
By: Lasana Liburd (T&T Express).

W Connection continued an impressive start to their 2009 season with a deserved triumph over Haitian outfit SA Cavaly at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, on Monday night.

But there was a sting in the tail from the visitors as Cavaly snatched a stoppage time item as Connection prevailed 3-1 in the Caribbean Club Champions Cup second-round fixture.

"It was a disappointing goal to concede," said Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier, who looked over the match on video yesterday morning. "I thought we gave away the ball too easily in the final 15 minutes. I don't know if it was tiredness or loss of concentration or both."

It was a lifeline that, judging by the body language of the Cavaly outfit, lifted the Haitians. Cavaly host Connection next Monday and Fevrier insisted that his troops will not be complacent.

"Playing in Haiti is always difficult," said Fevrier. "We are expecting a difficult game up there for sure. It is always a country that can affect you emotionally, so we must prepare our players for all eventualities."

Blink San Juan Jabloteh are the other Trinidad and Tobago Pro League team in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) competition, and they kicked off Monday's Marabella double-header with a patchy 2-1 win over Surinamese squad Inter Moengotapoe.

Whereas Jabloteh struggled in their first competitive fixture this season, Connection scored in their first attack, and despite a few scares, always seemed the likely victors.

Cavaly failed to clear an inswinging corner kick from Connection's Brazilian left back William Oliveira in the second minute, and their Dominican Republic striker, Jonathan Frias, hooked the ball into the path of Colombian midfielder Christian Viveros, who lunged in to slide home the opener.

There was more local flavour to Connection's other items as Andre Toussaint converted a penalty kick won by Frias in the 49th minute, while Hughtun Hector's powerful strike from outside the opposing penalty area deflected past Cavaly custodian Andy Collinet in the 55th minute.

Connection, who have scored 20 goals just three CFU outings so far this year, could have had an even healthier lead as substitute Kevon Woodley, who replaced an ailing Matthew Bartholomew, wasted two good scoring opportunities.

"We have had a better pre-season than the last two years," said Fevrier, who started training in the final week of January. "We are feeling more positive about the season ahead of us this year.

"We are really serious about making an impression in CONCACAF this year."

But, as well as Connection played, the hosts did enjoy more than their share of good fortune too.

Cavaly striker Andre Amy smacked a header off the Connection upright in the ninth minute and then missed the target completely in the 57th minute when an Eder Arias error allowed the Haitian time and space to beat Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.

Fevrier introduced "Soca Warriors" Clyde Leon and Andrei Pacheco off the bench to secure their advantage, but instead, the hosts grew increasingly careless in possession.

Amy completed a hat-trick of misses in stoppage time when he again headed against a post, but this time, Jean Alex Millien was on spot to stroke home the rebound.

"We have to finish the job we started," said Fevrier. "We have to make sure we improve in terms of our consistency and concentration throughout the game."

Connection are in the driver's seat but Haitian territory is rarely easy to navigate.

Jabloteh edge Surinamese outfit.
By: Lasana Liburd (T&T Express).

Pro League champs make low-key debut

San Juan Jabloteh started their 2009 season with a win on Easter Monday night at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, but it was far from convincing fare as they needed a late Marvin Oliver goal to edge the ten-man Surinamese outfit, Inter Moengotapoe, 2-1 in the second round Caribbean Club Champions Cup fixture.

Prolific striker Jerol Forbes put Jabloteh ahead after just 16 minutes, while Inter midfielder Stefano Baneti was expelled in the 31st minute. But the visitors fought back to level scores and might feel encouraged about next Monday's decisive fixture in Suriname, despite Jabloteh's successful comeback.

"I didn't think it was a particularly good game," said Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick. "It started brightly, but after getting a very good goal, we laboured a bit and one or two key positions were not functioning as well as we would want."

Fenwick attributed his team's "rusty" start to the fact that it was their first competitive match in nearly five months. In contrast, Inter have played ten times already this year, including two outings in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) competition.

But, arguably, Jabloteh's problems run deeper as the fall-out from the financial woes of their chief sponsor, CLICO, was unmistakable.

The team sheet announced the defending Pro League champions as Blink San Juan Jabloteh.

Jabloteh CEO Azaad Khan explained that CLICO were unable to fund their CFU campaign and Blink had stepped in to fill the gap for this competition only.

Last year, Jabloteh spent their pre-season in Scotland with exhibition games against Premiership opposition, but this year, they had to make do with friendlies against the likes of Police and Harvard, while key squad members like captain and MVP Trent Noel and full back Nigel Daniel joined the exodus to United Petrotrin and may be met soon by 2006 World Cup striker Cornell Glen.

Worse, Jabloteh's players have not been paid for last month as yet, although Khan insisted the club's financial future is secure and such problems will be quickly sorted out.

"We are 100 per cent sure that they will be paid on time from the end of this month," said Khan, who sympathised with the players. "We expect that after this payment, everything will be on time."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Fenwick revealed that motivation has been a problem for his squad, but he insisted Jabloteh can still have a big season.

"Our squad is working on a very tight budget," said the Englishman. "We are a long way from a lot of clubs in Trinidad and Tobago in terms of salaries, but we still have quality players so I still expect our boys to do well."

Newly-appointed Trinidad and Tobago head coach Russell Latapy was in the stands but may not have seen much to be excited about in his first assignment as "Soca Warriors" boss.

Forbes crashed a left-footer into the roof of the net after a cross from Glen's younger brother, Cyrano Glen, to give Jabloteh the lead, but the local outfit struggled for fluidity and, ironically, were unsettled by the direct and physical play of the South Americans.

Baneti's expulsion, for two cynical fouls on Oliver in less than a minute, was the second time in successive outings that Inter had a player sent off, and two minutes later, Claudio Basinas escaped with a wild hack on Jabloteh defender Anton Hutchinson.

As Jabloteh failed to impose themselves, Basinas capitalised on his reprieve with a tremendous shot from inside the area to equalise after hesitant defending.

Jabloteh improved with the second-half introduction of veteran Earl Jean, 21-year-old midfielder Willis Plaza and winger Jason Marcano, who sported a new close-cropped hairstyle. And, seven minutes from time, Oliver, who inherited the captain's armband from Noel, continued his reputation for decisive late items with an expertly-taken header off a Plaza corner kick.

"It is going to be a tough game (in Suriname)," said Fenwick. "I am confident we can win because what I saw last night doesn't frighten me We need strong referees, but more importantly, we need strong Jabloteh players who are up to the battle."

Next Monday might tell a lot about Jabloteh's state this season.

Connection register 3-1 win over Cavaly
By Randy Bando (ttproleague.com)

W Connection continued their dominance in this year’s edition of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Champions Cup with a 3-1 win over Haitian club SA Cavaly on Monday night at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Round Two action.

Stuart Charles Fevrier’s charges will definitely say that the Haitians are much better opponents than that of their Round One opponents Ag. Centre Bath Estate after a 17:1 aggregate win.

But goals by Christian Viveros, Andre Toussaint and Hughtun Hector gave W Connection a hard worked 3-1 win over the bothersome Cavaly.

Colombian Viveros opened the scoring in as early as the third minute at the back post in a play resulting from William da Silva Oliveira’s right side corner for a 1-0 advantage.

But that didn’t drop the spirits of Cavaly Sportif. Six minutes later Cavaly’s Andre Amy was denied by the upright after heading past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip proving that a match was really on.

Cavaly made themselves at home in W Connection’s half but failed to overcome a defence including Elijah Joseph and Eder Gilmar Arias.

W Connection ace, Andre Toussaint was just wide in the 15th minute and seconds later, teammate Jonathon Frias was denied by the Cavaly goalie as the home side’s attack opened up the Haitians.

But W Connection’s attack received a blow 25 minutes into the match with Matthew Bartholomew being stretched off with what was later said to be dehydration. He was later replaced by Kevon Woodley.

However W connection continued to make in-ways for themselves against the troublesome Cavaly.

Hughtun Hector was inches wide after eluding two defenders on his way into the Haitians penalty area and one minute from the half Oliveira’s free kick crashed off to crossbar to the delight of the Haitians.

On the other hand, the Cavaly weren’t lucky two minutes into the second period when the match referee pointed to the spot after Jonathon Frias went down inside the area and his shot flying overbar.

Teammate Andre Toussaint stepped confidently to the opportunity and calmly slotted the ball to the left of goalkeeper for a 2-0 cushion.

Hector then made it 3-0 by the 53rd minute with a smashing effort putting the match further out of Cavaly’s reach.

The Haitians had a good second half opportunity squandered in the 57th minute by Andre Amy hitting wide of goalkeeper Phillip’s upright after an error by defender Arias played him goal bound.

However Cavaly never dropped their chins and got a consolation item and a crucial away goal.

In stoppage time Alex Jean Millien gave his side something to cheer about blasting a shot past Phillip to end the match 3-1.

W Connection still in a comfortable position will visit the Haitians next Monday for their second tie of the Club Champions Cup vying for a place in the Final Round held in Trinidad from May 15-17.

W Connection 3—1 Cavaly Sportif

Connection—Marvin Phillip(gk.), Elijah Joseph(capt.), Eder Gilmar Arias, William da Silva Oliveira, Jonathon Frias(Clyde Leon 62nd), Andre Toussaint, Nickcolson Thomas, Hughtun Hector, Matthew Bartholomew(Kevon Woodley 29th), Christian Viveros(Andrei Pacheco 78th), Gerrard Williams

Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier

Goalscorers
Christian Viveros 3’, Andre Toussaint 48’(pen), Hughtun Hector 53’

Cavaly Sportif—Andy Collinet, Frantz Gilles, Geraldy Joseph, Changler Henry, Harold Milord, Gerald Alliance, Philippe Barthelmy(Nicoderme Beauge 59th), Alex Jean Millien, Chaderson Charlemagne(Kimberly Francois 75th), Andre Amy

Goalscorer
Alex Jean Millien 93'

Jabloteh edge 10-man Tapoe
By Randy Bando (ttproleague.com)

Wearing the captain’s armband on Monday night, midfielder Marvin Oliver’s late item secured a 2-1 for Blink San Juan Jabloteh against visiting Inter Moengo Tapoe at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.

Oliver’s item in the 83rd minute was crucial for the defending Pro League champions who will visit Tapoe next Monday in the second tie of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Champions Cup Round Two as both teams contest a place in the Final Round from May 15-17 in Trinidad.

Despite the loss, Tapoe should be delighted registering an away goal but will definitely need more than a draw when they hosts the Trinbagonians next week.

Meantime a draw will be enough for Jabloteh to advance into the Final Round after Easter Monday’s 2-1 victory.

Jerrol Forbes smashed in the opening item in the 18th minute after a neat run and cross from the right by Cyrano Glen giving the Terry Fenwick coached side a 1-0 lead.

Tapoe received another blow in the 32nd minute after Banettie picked up two yellow cards within two minutes for fouls committed on Marvin Oliver, reducing the visitors to ten-men.

Three minutes later young midfielder Elijah Manners—filling the void left by Trent Noel this season—smashed a shot from distance on target but that was measured brilliantly by goalkeeper Daniel, who pushed it out for a corner.

Tapoe came close to levelling the scores just before the break but Adensista’s crack at goal flew inches off target, leaving Jabloteh with their 1-0 advantage at the break.

Six minutes into the second period Ataulla Guerra took on the Tapoe defence with individual skill before powering a left-footed blast only to see it crash onto the crossbar and back into play.

Teammate Elijah Manners was on hand to pick up the rebound but his effort was blocked out by Daniel at near post.

Daniel was again shutting out Jabloteh in the 63rd minute denying goal scorer Forbes. And a minute earlier he was fortunate to see Elton John’s shot from distance miss the target by inches.

But on the other end it was Tapoe’s Cladio Pinas who stunned the home side blasting a shot into the roof of goalkeeper Cleon John’s net at near post after a neat buildup to level the scores at 1-1 in the 70th minute.

Fenwick responded with changes in attack replacing midfielders Ataulla Guerra and Devon Jamerson with more attacking options Earl Jean and Willis Plaza five minutes after the equalizing item by Tapoe.

Plaza made his presence felt in the 80th minute unleashing a shot from inside the area but that was brilliantly measured by Daniel who recorded another shut-out.

However Daniel was pierced three minutes later, when Oliver headed in the winner for the home side after rising between the Tapoe defenders to meet Willis Plaza’s right corner guiding it into the net for a 2-1 score.

And two minutes from time substitute Jason Marcano failed build on his team’s advantage spilling over bar from inside the area in what should have been Jabloteh’s third item.

Blink San Juan Jabloteh 2—1 Inter Moengo Tapoe

Blink San Juan Jabloteh—Cleon John(gk), Marvin Oliver(capt.), Anthon Hutchinson, Noel Williams, Elijah Manners, Jerrol Forbes, Ataullah Guerra(Earl Jean 74th), Elton John, Devon Jamerson(Willis Plaza 75th), Cyrano Glen, Robert Primus

Coach—Terry Fenwick

Goalscorers
Jerrol Forbes 18’, Marvin Oliver 83’

Inter Moengo Tapoe—Daniel(gk.), Adensista(Wanabo 87th),Amoekerie(Maasie 52nd), Banettie(sent off), Bron(Paules 60th), Stryder, Misedjan, Timmy, Slijter, Jeroe, Pinas

Coach—H. Jeroe

Goalscorer
Cladio Pinas 70’