Devorn Jorsling envisions his Defence Force side lifting the First Citizens Cup on Friday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium when the Army/Coast Guard combination tackle Ma Pau Stars from 8pm in the 2016 final.
Jorsling, rolled back the years, netting a beaver-trick in a 4-2 quarter-final win over St. Ann’s Rangers and all goals in a 3-0 win over Morvant Caledonia United in the semi-finals, but promises a team effort from Defence Force against Ma Pau Stars.
Defence Force, champions in 2002 and 2009, are after a third First Citizens Cup crowning in the 17-year history of the tournament, but first under coach Marvin Gordon, who like many of his players are against close friend and former head coach, Ross Russell, who heads Ma Pau.
Last season, Gordon celebrated his first title in charge of the soldiers by winning the 2016 season-ending Digicel Pro Bowl title.
Defence Force had also won the Pro Bowl in 2012 under Russell, who also guided the Army/Coast Guard combination to the Digicel Pro League crown in 2010-11 and 2012-13, and before that he had ended an eight-year drought by leading team to the 2009 First Citizens Cup in his debut season as head coach of the top-flight team.
“It is important for me and current teammates who were part of the team in 2009 to go all the way in winning the trophy again,” Jorsling told www.ttproleague.com.
“It (First Citizens Cup) means a lot to us. It was the first trophy Defence Force won after a long time. It was also special being the first year that Ross Russell took charge of us back in 2009.
“Also, things aren’t the way we would like it to be in the league, so this is a great opportunity for us to win silverware this season – not that we are not giving it our best in the league.”
On his goal-scoring exploits, the 32-year-old former Trinidad and Tobago international said he is always confident in my goal-scoring ability.
Jorsling must now face in-form goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel, who has been brilliant throughout the 2016 First Citizens Cup for Ma Pau Stars.
Both players squared off once before this season with Jorsling’s second half strike earning Defence Force a 1-0 win against Russell’s men in the league on Nov. 19.
But the former T&T Under-17 and Under-20 Youth World Cup goalie’s heroics proved crucial in helping the Sangre Grande club overcome San Juan Jabloteh, seven-time champions W Connection and Police FC, all on kicks from the penalty mark to reach the final.
Ma Pau Stars have never won the First Citizens Cup, although reaching the title match in 2006 and 2014 under past coaches and their previous name, North East Stars. But will look to a change in fortune under Russell and his experienced side that includes former Soca Warriors and 2006 World Cup members Carlos Edwards and Jason Scotland, former T&T youth standout Jerrel Britto, and former T&T internationals Kerry Baptiste, Hayden Tinto and Glenton Wolfe.
Central FC and San Juan Jabloteh will provide the appetizer to the final on Friday when the contest each other from 6pm in a league fixture at the Port-of-Spain venue.
First Citizens Cup 2016
Final
(Friday 2 December)
Hasely Crawford Stadium
Defence Force vs Ma Pau Stars—8pm
Digicel Pro League
Round One Match Day Nine fixture
(Friday 2 December)
Hasely Crawford Stadium
Central FC vs San Juan Jabloteh—6pm