After a two-week break from competition due to T&T’s involvement in CONCACAF World Cup qualification and a bye in the round-of-16 in the Toyota Classic, Professional Football League front-runners VIBE CT 105 W Connection resumes its march towards the title with hopes of another win today.
The “Savonetta Boys,” currently with 43 points from 16 matches, will have a great chance to add to that tally when they host bottom club Tobago United at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, from 7pm.
In the last round of PFL matches played on October 4, W Connection defeated Defence Force 3-1, paced by a hat-trick from Brazilian Ronaldo Viana and will be confident of picking up maximum points against the Tobagonians.
Viana will also be eager to continue his goal-scoring run along with team-mates Gefferson Goulart, Earl Jean and Andre Toussaint, who have netted 13, 11 and 10 goals, respectively, to head the scoring chart in the league.
Tobago, with four points from 15 matches, still has a chance to take the sixth spot ahead of United Petrotrin (eight points) for the “Big Six” series, but will need to pick up some vital points, starting today against the First Citizens Bank Cup holders.
At the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, second-placed CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, 13 points adrift of the leaders, will face a sterner test in out-going champions, National Quarries North East Stars from one hour earlier, in a dress rehearsal for Friday’s Toyota Classic quarterfinal clash at the same venue.
Stars, who will more than likely have Gary Glasgow in their line-up—the midfielder having completed his temporary transfer from Chinese club Gaungzhou FC—has so far this season beaten Jabloteh 2-1 in both their league meetings.
Down South, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, fourth-placed Caledonia AIA/Fire will be seeking to avenge the recent loss against United Petrotrin from 7pm.
Petrotrin booted out AIA/Fire on penalty-kicks from the First Citizens Bank Cup.
However, AIA/Fire has won both league encounters to date 2-0 and 3-0 and comes off a 1-0 win over North East Stars in the previous round.
Following the completion of round 21 (18 matches per club) on November 11, the top six clubs will contest a “Big Six” competition to determine the league winner.
The points earned at the end of round 21 will also be carried over into the “ Big Six” series.
Today’s PFL Senior Division fixtures
San Juan Jabloteh vs North East Stars @ Hasely Crawford Stadium, 6pm.
United Petrotrin vs Caledonia AIA/Fire @ Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, 7pm.
W Connection vs Tobago United @ Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, 7pm.
PFL Senior Div standings
Teams P W D L F A Pts
W Connection 16 14 1 1 53 11 43
Jabloteh 15 9 3 3 38 9 30
D/Force 16 7 5 4 30 25 26
AIA/Fire 16 7 2 7 19 23 23
NE Stars 15 4 4 7 16 23 16
Utd Petrotrin 15 2 2 11 15 38 8
Tobago Utd 15 0 4 11 17 57 4
Leading scorers
13 — Gefferson Goulart (W Connection).
11 — Earl Jean (W Connection).
10 — Andre Toussaint (W Connection), Josh Johnson (San Juan Jabloteh).
9 — Ronaldo Viana (W Connection),
7 — Kerry Noray (San Juan Jabloteh), Devon Jorsling (Defence Force).
6 - Kevon Carter (Defence Force).
5 — Anton Wolfe (North East Stars), Ashford Legerton (Tobago United), Titus Elva (Caledonia AIA/Fire), Noel WIlliams (Tobago United), Nigel Codrington (San Juan Jabloteh).