Central FC’s coronation as Trinidad and Tobago Pro League champions was, in retrospect, written in the Stars.
Last night, at approximately 9.52 pm, the noisy upstarts had wrestled power of the local top flight after a 2-1 win over North East Stars at the Ato Boldon Stadium ensured that the “Couva Sharks” could not be caught by bitter cross-town rivals, DIRECTV W Connection.
“… Q-R-S-T-U-V,” sang the ‘Central choir’, “W Connection can’t beat we!”
Earlier yesterday evening, Connection laboured to a 2-1 win over Police FC, courtesy a Hashim Arcia double, that was never going to be enough to pressure the leaders. There is one round of Pro League matches remaining and Central, who will be on a bye, were three points clear with a 15-goal better differential before kick off last night.
Connection might not remember when they too were the ambitious outsiders who were treated with suspicion and disdain by the establishment. The “Savonetta Boys” joined the then PFL in 1999 with their business-like air that included shirt, tie and slacks for players on match day.
Opponents muttered that at least they would win the prize for best dressed. By Connection’s second season, they were champions.
Central took three years but, as they pressed W Connection to the finish line in the 2013/14 season, it always seemed a matter of when not if the “Sharks”—the brainchild of current Sport Minister Brent Sancho and his advisor Kevin Harrison—would eventually have their day in the sun.
Last season, Central fell from the skies at the business end of the season after a Trevin Caesar double led Stars to a 2-1 triumph over the Sharks. And the Sangre Grande-based team threatened to be spoilers again this term.
Central coach Terry Fenwick once employed Stars coach Angus Eve as a player and then assistant coach at San Juan Jabloteh and, although there is no love lost between the pair, their contests are always intriguing, passive-aggressive tactical contests played out at pace.
Central used seven players from their Jabloteh team last night. Stars played five.
Eve’s troops, lined up in his traditional 4-5-1 shape, would try to dictate the flow of the match without the ball by shutting down space for opponents and picking their pockets as they tried to squeeze through narrow alleys.
Fenwick tried to counter his former student’s plans from kick off by using an unusual 3-6-1 formation which overloaded the midfield with four central players and two wingbacks while three defenders stood guard over lone Stars defender-cum-striker Kennedy Hinkson.
Within four minutes, Eve was chuckling as Stars went ahead in trademark fashion.
The “Boys from Ojoe Road” won possession midway in their own half of the field and immediately counted as 19-year-old midfielder Neveal Hackshaw hared up the right flank to collect behind Central defender Keion Goodridge.
Goodridge, who is rarely shy to apply brute force, lowered his shoulder into the teenaged “Soca Warrior” and bounced off. And Central and Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams was just as powerless and red-faced as Hackshaw produced a precise finish at his near post.
It was only Hackshaw’s second league goal of the season.
Stars goalkeeper Cleon John made two fine saves from Jamal Jack and Central captain Leston Paul to preserve the advantage at half time. But, by the hour mark, the difference in approach by the coaches was unmistakable.
Fenwick, an ex-England World Cup defender, is at his best when his team is driving at an opponent. Eve, Trinidad and Tobago’s most capped outfield player and a fine attacker in his hey-day, is more reactionary.
But, without former quality strikers like Cornell Glen and Caesar, Eve simply did not have the arsenal to play to his preferred mode. And, unlike Fenwick, he could not find a Plan B.
It is true that Stars do not have the budget and depth of Central. But their tally of 24 goals this season is testimony to Eve’s problems this season. Only St Ann’s Rangers have scored less times this term.
By the 63rd minute, Fenwick was on his second reshuffle with a back four and a diamond-shaped midfield with Willis Plaza introduced upfront and Ataulla Guerra given the freedom of the park. Eve replaced his lone front-man, Hinkson, with defender Dwane James who was used in the ‘number 10’ role to press evergreen Central substitute and central midfielder Marvin Oliver.
But there was no stopping the tide.
In the 68th minute, Central drew level as Plaza teed up Guerra who casually waited for the opening before stroking his shot past defender Keryn Navarro and beyond opposing custodian, John.
Eve responded, two minutes later, by replacing Hackshaw with another midfield hardman, Jeromie “Butters” Williams in an attempt to stem the flow rather than seek out Central’s vulnerabilities.
And, in the 87th minute, the Sharks completed the turnaround in fine style as Plaza spun away from Navarro and glided inside the penalty area before beating John with a thumping left footed finish into the corner.
It was a fitting exclamation mark for Central whose 63 goals were 12 more than Connection managed last season and the most by a Pro League winner since Connection scored 69 times in 23 league games back in 2005. The Pro League record, incidentally, remains 113 goals from 36 games by Ricky Hill’s Jabloteh in 2003/04.
The Central Choir was in full flight by then and Fenwick spent the closing minutes trying to stage-manage a tribute to his predecessor Zoran Vranes, who led the Sharks for much of the season before being bizarrely replaced by the Englishman.
Ever the gentleman, Vranes, a former Yugoslavia National Under-23 Team player, joined Fenwick at the touchline and the two linked arms and strode to the edge of the technical area as Central stroked the ball around.
Fourth official Cecile Hinds was in no mood for their love connection and spoiled the party by pointedly reminding Fenwick that only one person was allowed to stand in the technical area at any given time.
The noble but clumsy gesture arguably fit a team that irked opponents with its aggressive marketing and self-promotion in the way Connection once grated rivals with ties and cut-price Brazilians.
The Savonetta Boys proved there was much more to them than that and, no doubt, Central hope to do the same.
Paul, who joined Central from Super League outfit Guaya United in January 2014, was beaming after the final whistle.
“First, I must thank God (because) without God nothing is possible,” said Paul, who was appointed team captain by Vranes. “I am overwhelmed… We dug deep. It was a tough, long season but we stuck together and got the results we wanted and won the trophy.”
The 39-year-old Oliver is a former Pro League champion with Jabloteh but was on Central’s first team list, three years ago. When the Sharks trailed Stars, Fenwick presumably accepted that the lanky playmaker should have been on the field and promptly inserted him.
“I think this is the most complete team I’ve been on and the feeling is just so sweet,” Oliver told Wired868. “With all the dramas and everything that happened, it just feels good to be here now… I’ve seen the guys like Ataulla and (Plaza and the rest) when they were teenagers and they are grown men now.
“I saw the steps they took towards maturity and you saw that tonight with their finish and ball movement and so on. I am really proud of them.”
Central’s first place prize is $1 million although Connection are still waiting on their cheque from last season. These two teams would probably fight to the death over a dinner mint though.
With the Pro League title wrapped up, Central are now turning attention to the 2014 Caribbean Club Championship. On May 22, the Sharks will face Connection in the Caribbean semifinals at the same Couva venue.
“It will be an honour to be champions of the Caribbean,” said Oliver. “Just the other day, I saw we were ranked 182 in CONCACAF and Connection (were) 160. Before I finish playing, I would like to see us reach the top 100 in CONCACAF.”
The ‘Couva Clasico’ is about to go regional.
(Teams)
Central FC (3-4-2-1): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 12.Jamal Jack, 5.Akeem Benjamin, 3.Keion Goodridge; 15.Kaydion Gabriel (7.Jason Marcano 72), 2.Elton John, 6.Leston Paul (captain), 11.Darren Mitchell (10.Marvin Oliver 46); 45.Ataulla Guerra, 8.Sean De Silva; 99.Dwight Quintero (33.Willis Plaza 46).
Unused substitutes: 1.Javon Sample (GK), 4.Uriah Bentick, 17.Marcelle Francois, 19.Nathaniel Garcia.
Coach: Terry Fenwick
North East Stars (4-2-3-1): 22.Cleon John (GK); 25.Keryn Navarro (captain), 5.Aquil Selby, 15.Glenton Wolfe, 38.Jesus Perez; 44.Keon Joseph, 12.Jayson Joseph; 18.Kaashif Thomas (9.Xae Pierre De Four 89), 41.Neveal Hackshaw (6.Jeromie Williams 70), 10.Keron Cummings; 23.Kennedy Hinkson (14.Dwane James 63).
Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkeley (GK), 26.Zavion Navarro, 35.Jordan Devonish, 50.Shaquille Thomas,
Coach: Angus Eve
Referee: Dave Daniel
Pro League results
(Apr 28)
W Connection 2 (Hashim Arcia 44, 88), Police FC 1 (Makesi Lewis 7) at Couva;
Central FC 2 (Ataulla Guerra 68, Willis Plaza 87), North East Stars 1 (Neveal Hackshaw 4) at Couva.
Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
…Earl Mango Pierre you lapsing…you really good yes
Buh wah trouble is this eh all this bacchanal I am missing eh. Alyuh really good yes.
So where will you air it Mark these players getting exploited and they stay quiet cause they are fearful of being reprimanded 4 speaking up so they complain 2 their friends and family but accept the crap cause they have limited education and no back up plan but 2 accept that small money and train 5 days a week like a dog
Amen to that Mark Anthony Scott
…Clearly there are people here that have with issues with certain clubs…and while it’s none of my business…you all should not air your dirty laundry in public
Sad, Trinidad and Tobago football is based on envy ,malice and hate….. very few professional
….WoW…reading all these comments…alllyuh really good yes
Not getting side track by the football….because I have congratulated some of your staff personally already…and varnishes did an excellent job and you’ll must enjoy that special time…u never forget that first championship. …I just had to make certain things clear when some persons try to put things in a bad light…its not good especially like u said the objective is about getting players outside to greener pastures. ..for example my president got willis plaza his contract to Vietnam. ….dont care which club it is but opportunities for our youngsters in trinidad getting out to something better financially
Alana …congrats to you and your team…always important to enjoy that moment when u are a champion. ….
Lawd according to Earl Mango Pierre “allyuh good yes”! What should be a joyous moment is turning into mud slinging. I don’t know about you guys but I do know that not everyone can be winners. Some would win and some would lose. Last season was Connection this season is Central FC! Who knows next season might be someone else. The bigger picture is that these young men worked hard for their respective clubs and all should be congratulated. When we look at our society with all the killings I’m grateful that the guys are focusing on their game than any gang thing especially the players that came from the East, West corridor. Clearly there is a lot of tension among you grown men but please let’s not spoil a good thing nah.
Well dion. ..we went down that road before I guess…I maybe an asst coach and not privy to all at the club as u may think but my role goes way beyond that as is the matter with our head coach to… I have defended the club in the past not just because its a club I represent but its a club with a president and a board and a chairman that makes us aware of all that is going on at the club except maybe for certain financial stuff….the president has trusted us also because of our experience in football be it here in trinidad or outside in the region or europe so we do discuss a lot for the benefit of the player as an investment and for the club…I know a few agents are uncomfortable dealing with the club and i am sure its because of the unscrupulous dealings they have tried to engage in before…they definitely stay away from our players because its not business as usual with our club….we do protect our players from the experiences that we have had it is the only way to go….we have done business with agents and clubs outside in europe and the president had to immediately call on me to fly out o resolve a few negotiations for him because of the same unscrupulous behavior of agents and sometime clubs who sometimes feel that the black caribbean businessman doesn’t have the sense of value of his player ….prime example is the length that david john william would have gone to give jomal williams and a few others an opportunity to play out in France but because our president realized what was taking place allowed me to go participate in the negotiations. …you would be surprised to know the deals of the agents out there and of course because our players were in the know about what was going on we had to return…the things clubs and agents want u to compromise in when there is no financial benefit to the player is amazing. ..the player on learning what was going on decided to stay here…its because our players know that we look after their interests and we dont hesitate in giving them that opportunity. ..I have had experiences before and I keep telling u that there are loads of unscrupulous agents out there all they do is take advantage of players…and don’t even want to mention the sexual part of it….lets not go there yet….I know we at w. connection fc do look after our player and club interest and for that i am proud to say the level of interest for our players by clubs and agents have dramatically increase to levels that u wont believe. ..from mls clubs, to Scottish clubs and still I say many calls are still coming in from France for men and women players alike so if John Williams was what you or others try to make him out to be them I doubt we would be getting interest over and over for about 8 of our current squad and mind you we have just started rebuilding. …so we need to be careful how we say things. …..take for example we never have the finances to pay 100 of thousands of dollars a month to coaches and with Stuart Charles we are still able to get great success. ….he has done his job in silence and has gotten his success but its true everyone has their style but for a Caribbean man watch what he has achieved and yet some still dont give him the recognition in the press…but blow trumpets for some…hmmmm…we will continue our work in silence only to improve the quality of the player and to get them out to greener pastures.
Well Earl like in the movies they does say when a local questioning a federal officer this convo way over your pay scale cause a lot of things that going at wcfc you are clueless about cause is only 1 man who does all the negotiations not even the players does know where they going what they being paid etc but as they say only in Trinidad
LOL. What’s that song? “Every creed and race has an equal place”????
We know you hate wcfc but if u have your problems with central fc handle your business with them. …we have gone through that before
Prince Borde, you’re lost! I’m hearing lots of fantasies! lol Who could pay a Pro League manager $50,000? lol
Lol interesting listening to all this
Dion please be careful with your mouth. …tell me where connection has been corrupt. ..bring it out….Mr Agent…let me please respect what u have to say…when u going after people…
I lost we! I here commenting on richer clubs benefitting and subject change. So I gone dey
My thoughts exactly Prince. Makes no sense to me.
As for my goals and ambitions I thought they would have been an alternative 2 W connection but they are just as corrupted and tainted as them so I decided that I can never associate with people like them now or ever
Who player you are refering 2 I hope its not Qian grosvenor cause qian needed no permission from a club who wanted him 2 sign a waiver taking no responsibility but on the other hand if he got a contract they wanted compensation for him who the hell does that stupid shit
Dion I have never been one to go on these social media and make comments, but would rather meet anyone face to face and chat. These were the same folks that you were prepared to link with to realized your personal ambitions, what has changed. You have been so honest and clean, have you ever reflected on how one of your players left this country without getting a release from his former Club, short memory sir. Just remember that some of those lackies may be approached one day to bear testimony for your exploits overseas. Just saying, be careful, you never know who you might come into contact with.
Well said travis a lot of people living in denial or just plain nieve about our Oreo Minister of Sport he pretends 2 be some white knight when we all know he is a lying deceitful under handed crook just like the new managing director and the other lackies at the club anybody who associates with the massa has no class and is the same as him your never see a corbeaux and a parrot liming figure it out
If you have a set contract how can salaries be cut?
I do agree with Travis Mulraine in that a man’s salary should not be cut in such a manner. But that is the fault/domain of the owner though.
I am a die hard supporter of all the teams in the league to continue striving for excellence,and which ever team or teams that represent TnT I commend the coaches and their staff members for being successful
Yea we strayed way off topic . I am lost now lol. Travis after reading our comments the first comment you made about big spenders seems like more out of your bad experience at the club. I don’t see anything wrong with clubs that are financially doing well for themselves and buy the players needed to win.
Everyone knows the business side of the game but to take from one mouth to feed another if true,should never be acceptable.
For me, the talk about whether clubs with bigger budgets are expected to win the league is a fair enough topic. Color commentary and massa references only take away from that discussion.
As a fellow Pro League coach, you can pick apart his tactics, squad rotation, man management, game day philosophy and so many other things that are probably more relevant than skin color and plantation history.
Thanks for refreshing my memory sire. Guess you wanted to voice that a very long time ago, so I am happy that I provided the therapy. However, I am sure that you know that I have never been a house slave. God bless.
and don’t forget i left cause the Oreo that we now call sports minister cut my salary and others down in the youth ranks to pay Massa $10,000 more dollars to take him to a grand total of $50,000 per mth as a reward for coming 5th in the league,JUST REFRESH YOUR MEMORY.
since you wanna defend massa ,let me explain . His first season at jabloteh he came 5th, then he got the big money from CL Financial and won at Jabloteh,his first season at central he came 5th,then 2nd then VRANES won the league and he was brought in to reap the glory.We’ll see how good massa is when ya’ll qualify for the CONCACAF.
Travis my friend, I am a little surprised by your comment, especially when you spoke about biggest budget. If you are correct, any reason why you are not with the Club? You more than anyone on this thread, including me, can speak volumes about that budget of which you speak.
The scheduling works against pro league teams in the last few years. No local club can hold a Mexican or Central American team while effectively in their preseason.
So Concacaf test won’t be passed for another year or so.
Every club has different goals based on expenditure. I think Central has a deeper and higher quality squad than anyone else which is an advantage.
But they really dug out some results this season and I give them credit for that. They deserved it because they kept finding ways to win matches and were so consistent.
Next season will be interesting as Connection’s young brigade will be more seasoned and confident, Army may start full strength, Jabloteh would sort out their bloated squad, Sando will come strong… And maybe Stars will get a replacement for Glen and Caesar upfront!
I wanted to respond to Mr. Travis but I decided to reserve my comment. Thanks Prince Borde for such a wonderful response.
This is football Travis. Every league the top teams buy the best players. They had to start from somewhere! Still not easy to coach top personalities
some coaches can only win when they have the BIGGEST budget lasana,we’ll see how they fair in the CONCACAF Champion’s League that’ll be the true test
Yes. I wouldn’t feel nervous about throwing Cleon into international action at all.
Some great saves by Cleon John though…wow !!!
So wait w connection did not get prize money yet. Any reason why? Hopefully sports minister hears about this and do something because his side has to get this year.
So proud of our guys!!
He is he is and he has beaten all the odds tht was against him coming from where we came from Alana Allan
Oh Calvin Palos Garcia you couldn’t have said it better!
Ataulla Guerra is master class and he shows tht there are some positive tht come from the ghetto congrats meh brother ataulla
Question, Dexter Skeene, does he get a cleaning allowance from the PFL?
Always looking slick, debonair and perfectly presented…. How does he maintain that youthful look and calming presence in such emotional events.
A Sharks tale, love it!
Hahaha… Yep. Norris Ferguson correctly predicted the final score when Stars were leading 1-0 and stifling the game!
Great article as usual, but you must let people know who is the co-editor of this article. Lol…..lol.
Congrats to Central, hope they take that form all the way to the championship