Jabloteh smother Flames 9-0 in Caribbean opener, predict more goals against Moulien

San Juan Jabloteh coach Keith Jeffrey is targeting a three goal win over Guadeloupean outfit, Club Sportif Moulien, on Friday night as his Trinidad and Tobago Pro League team intend to make light work of their group opponents in St Vincent.

Jabloteh began their first foray in a competitive international tournament for close to a decade with a resounding 9-0 win over St Maarten team, Flames United, yesterday. And Jeffrey hopes to dish out another beating tomorrow in what is likely to be the decisive group fixture.

Photo: San Juan Jabloteh coach Keith Jeffrey (left) celebrates with the Best Coach trophy from the 2014 Toyota Classic competition. Looking on is Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: San Juan Jabloteh coach Keith Jeffrey (left) celebrates with the Best Coach trophy from the 2014 Toyota Classic competition.
Looking on is Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Moulien, who are a regular participant at this level, whipped host team System 3 Sport Academy 4-0 in the closing fixture of Wednesday’s double header.

“For the 45 minutes I watched them play, they dropped deep and countered,” Jeffrey told Wired868. “They have a strong six footer who stays up on his own and they play directly into him and race up to join him.

“My job is to counter that and I am looking to come out 3-0 winners. They beat the home team 4-0, so tomorrow is a virtual final. Going into the last game [once Jabloteh defeat Moulien], I will give some other players a chance to experience the Caribbean Cup.”

Jeffrey hinted that he will keep the nucleus of the starting team which thrashed Flames yesterday.

Jabloteh started with a workmanlike midfield trio of captain Damian Williams, Elijah Manners and Keithy Simpson complimented by a mobile front three of Nathan Lewis, Jairo Lombardo and Vernon Mills. Williams, Simpson and central defender Adrian Reid are Jamaicans while Mills is Guyanese and Lombardo is Panamanian.

Photo: San Juan Jabloteh captain Damian Williams (right) offers a hand to Morvant Caledonia United player Sheldon Holder as he is stretchered off during 2015/16 Pro League action. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: San Juan Jabloteh captain Damian Williams (right) offers a hand to Morvant Caledonia United player Sheldon Holder as he is stretchered off during 2015/16 Pro League action.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Jeffrey had little complaints about his front five yesterday as they banged in four first half goals and added five more after the break.

Nathan Lewis, who was obliged to skip Trinidad and Tobago’s friendly outing against Barbados to compete for his club, scored a hattrick as did Simpson. Lombardo also got his name on the score summary while forward Jamal Gay and winger Tyrone Charles came off the bench to chip in a goal each.

“We didn’t have a clue about the opposition [before kick off] but we didn’t take long to settle,” said Jeffrey. “It was comfortable win and 9-0 could have been 15-0. I would look at [Flames as] the calibre of a Super League team.”

The Jabloteh coach said he tried to pick a squad to suit the ground conditions in St Vincent.

“It is a small ground that is tough to play on,” said Jeffrey. “The Barataria Recreation Ground is like Wembley compared to to that surface. But if it is bad for us then it is bad for them too. I won’t complain because it is a caribbean thing, so you can’t get away from it.


“We picked guys who could win the ball and play on the counter with quick transition.”

Photo: San Juan Jabloteh winger Nathan Lewis (centre) terrorises the Police FC defence during 2015/16 Pro League action in Couva. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: San Juan Jabloteh winger Nathan Lewis (centre) terrorises the Police FC defence during 2015/16 Pro League action in Couva.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Jabloteh will try to repeat the trick against a Moulien outfit that lost 5-1 to W Connection last year in Caribbean Club action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Only the group winner advances to the final round, which will be hosted by Pro League champions Central FC in Trinidad. The three teams in the Caribbean will represent the region in the CONCACAF Champions League.

(Team)

San Juan Jabloteh (4-3-3): 1.Javon Sample (GK), 18.Jevon Morris, 24.Adrian Reid, 6.Akeem Benjamin, 12.Kion Joseph; 11.Damian Williams (captain), 5.Elijah Manners, 9.Keithy Simpson (10.Tyrone Charles 65); 27.Nathan Lewis, 16.Jairo Lombardo (Kadeem Corbin 75), 14.Vernon Mills (7.Jamal Gay 65).

Coach: Keith Jeffrey

Photo: San Juan Jabloteh forward Jamal Gay stretches for the ball during Pro League against Police FC at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 1 November 2016. Jabloteh won 3-2. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: San Juan Jabloteh forward Jamal Gay stretches for the ball during Pro League against Police FC at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 1 November 2016.
Jabloteh won 3-2.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Caribbean Club Championships

(Wednesday 8 March)

San Juan Jabloteh 9 (Keithy Simpson 11, 51, 60, Nathan Lewis 21, 40, 44, Jairo Lombardo 57, Tyrone Charles 72, Jamal Gay 81), Flames United 0 in St Vincent;

Club Sportif Moulien 4, System 3 Sport Academy 0 in St Vincent.

Photo: San Juan Jabloteh winger Tyrone Charles (left) prepares to fly past Morvant Caledonia defender Seon Thomas en route to his club's third goal during Pro League action at the Morvant Recreation Ground on 16 October 2016. (Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Photo: San Juan Jabloteh winger Tyrone Charles (left) prepares to fly past Morvant Caledonia defender Seon Thomas en route to his club’s third goal during Pro League action at the Morvant Recreation Ground on 16 October 2016.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

Upcoming fixtures

(Friday 10 March)

San Juan Jabloteh vs Club Sportif Moulien in St Vincent;

System 3 Sport Academy vs Flames United in St Vincent;

(Sunday 12 March)

Club Sportif Moulien vs Flames United in St Vincent;

System 3 Sport Academy v San Juan Jabloteh in St Vincent.

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One comment

  1. Sounds like a competitive tournament

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