Million dollar match: D/Force, Connection meet in potential title decider

Two Pro League football teams, one million dollars and no sharing.

Photo: W Connection attacker Neil Benjamin Jr (left) is taken out by Defence Force player Dave Long in a previous clash. (Courtesy Wired868)
Photo: W Connection attacker Neil Benjamin Jr (left) is taken out by Defence Force player Dave Long in a previous clash.
(Courtesy Wired868)

Ten months of football boils down a five day two-legged contest between defending champions Defence Force and present leader W Connection as the clubs meet each other from 8 pm on Friday May 2 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva and again on Tuesday May 5.

If Defence Force wins tomorrow night, then a draw on Tuesday would almost certainly ensure the army/coast guard combination of the successful defence of their crown. It would be the first time in six years that a Pro League champion has retained its title. San Jan Jabloteh managed this achievement twice in 2003 and 2008 while Connection did it once in 2001.

But, if Connection is victorious, then club owner David John Williams and longstanding coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier might as well open the champagne bottle.


It is the Pro League’s defining moment.

Photo: Defence Force players (from left) Josimar Belgrave, Rodell Elcock and Curtis Gonzales celebrate during their 4-0 conquest of Caledonia AIA last week. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Defence Force players (from left) Josimar Belgrave, Rodell Elcock and Curtis Gonzales celebrate during their 4-0 conquest of Caledonia AIA last week.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

The game will be preceded by a Digicel Pro Bowl qualifier between second from bottom club Jabloteh and table-proppers St Ann’s Rangers from 6 pm at the same venue.

The Rangers team is the only club that Jabloteh has defeated in 2014. But the former outfit has four points from its last three games under new coach Anthony Streete and will be anxious to show the extent of its improvement.

Both games are likely to be contested like cup finals. The second game has a million dollars riding on it, though. No pressure then.

 

May 2 Fixtures

(Digicel Pro Bowl qualifier)

San Juan Jabloteh vs St Ann’s Rangers, 6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Digicel Pro League fixture)

W Connection vs Defence Force, 8 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.

[standings league_id=2 template=extend logo=true]
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About Lasana Liburd

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.

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