Photo: Jerome Waite and Linval Dixon
Portmore United, (formerlyHazard United) and Arnett Gardens both chase a piece of history when they face off in the finals of the Red Stripe Premier League at the National Stadium tonight, starting at 8:30.
Portmore United along withTivoli Gardens and Santos have won the league five times and they are looking to be the only team to win six titles while Arnett Gardens coach Jerome Waite who has won the title on three previous occasions will be looking to make it an historic 4th title for himself and a record equaling 5th for his team.
Had the format of the Red Stripe Premier League not been changed this season, neither of the teams in tonight’s final would be involved. An expanded knock out round meant six, not four teams, would be involved in the playoff this year and the fifth and sixth placed teams have made full use of the opportunity.
Portmore United finished fifth and eliminated fourth placed Tivoli Gardens in the quarter final round before they got the better of second placed UWI FC in the semi-finals, despite having to travel to play in the CFU Club Championships during that period.
Arnett Gardens did not have the distractions of the CFU Club Championships but they also managed to fend off two top ranked teams to advance to the finals. First they defeated defending champions and third placed finishers Montego Bay United in the quarter finals, then they ousted the top ranked team at the end of the regular season, Humble Lion in the semifinals.
Arnett Gardens and their striker Fabian Reid have both caught fire at the right time of the season, with Reid bagging five goals in the knock-out round while Portmore have shown grit and determination in this phase to prove that they deserve their spot in tonight’s final.
Both teams have met three times this season, winning a game apiece while the other game ended in a draw. The final will be the series decider for this season and what an occasion it promises to be.
Both teams are quietly confident of victory while showing great respect for each other.
At the pre-game press conference held on Thursday at the offices of the JFF both coaches were cagey, giving very little away but expressing the belief that their respective charges can get the job done.
Arnett Gardens has the biggest fans base of all the clubs in the country and the National Stadium is expected to be a sea of red tonight, with Portmore United coach Linval Dixon admitting that the crowd support will be overwhelmingly in the favour of his opponents.
Dixon also admitted that despite the challenges that Portmore have faced, it is time to put up or shut up.
“There will be no excuses, the team will be ready for the finals. The injured players have seen the physio and we will be checking on the injuries but we have depth in the squad if players are missing.
“It is tough but we are professionals. We have four or five players scoring so it is hard to shut out the team, so it is good for us, we have to keep the players focused and grounded ahead of the final. On the day we have to go out and perform.”
For Jerome Waite, entertaining the fans will be important. “We are hoping to entertain Jamaica with a good game. We have to respect our opponents but we will come on Monday, work very hard and try to get a result.”
Both captains will have pivotal roles to play in the game, Arnett captain Oneil “Bigga” Thompson at the centre of the defence and Ewan “Butta” Grandison at the centre of midfield for Portmore. They will both have to marshall their troops in a game that will have very little margins.
The last time Arnett were on this stage was just two seasons ago and they were able to get the better of Montego Bay United to lift the trophy.
Portmore United were the beaten finalists last year, falling to Montego Bay United at the Catherine Hall Stadium and will hope that a change in venue for the finals will also mean a change in fortunes for them. Their captain, Grandison, has said that, “A win in the final would mean the world to me because we fell short last year. If we don’t win, football would mean nothing to me, we have to get a hold of a cup this term.”
Both teams are expected to approach the game on the front foot which should make for a very engaging contest from the first whistle.
Ricardo Morris and Maaliqe Foster are expected to be two of the key figures up front for Portmore and will prove a handful for Thompson and his defenders. Michael Binns scored a magnificent free kick to send his team into the finals and Arnett Gardens will be weary of gifting the left footed striker any chances near the 18 yard box.
Marvin Morgan and Renae Lloyd will look to dominate the midfield to give the ‘Junglists’ the advantage and if they are allowed to do so, they will surely create havoc for the Damano Solomon led, Portmore defence. Goalkeeper Shaven-Sean Paul will have to be at his best to deny a confident Arnett Gardens team.
The key piece to the puzzle however, could be the return to full fitness of midfield maestro Vishinul Harris, who has the ability to turn a game on its head. His mazy dribbles and timely goals make him the danger man for Arnett Gardens and the player that Portmore United should be concerned about the most.
Expect goals, expect fireworks, expect excitement and expect a blood and thunder affair from two teams that never hold back!
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