Its down to four teams according to Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh head coach Earl Carter, naming his side as one of the favourites to take the 2011-12 Digicel Pro League Championship which resumes this weekend following the two-week Christmas break.
Third positioned Jabloteh (12 points) takes on bitter rivals and current leaders W Connection(15 points) from 8pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Friday night in the second match of a Round Two Match Day Four Super Friday double header. In the earlier fixture sixth positioned St. Ann’s Rangers(8 points) takes on second positioned T&TEC FC (14 points).
And on Saturday Police FC and fourth positioned Caledonia AIA (12 points) will contest eachother from 5pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, and simultaneously at the Larry Gomes Stadium, DIRECTV North East Stars will host Defence Force.
“The title isn’t gone,” said Carter this week—midway through the Championship. “This is a toss-up between Connection, T&TEC, Jabloteh and Caledonia.”
He said that his team aims to take top spot on Friday by defeating Connection, but admits it’s not a simple task.
“My players recognize that we can win this league,” said the Jabloteh coach. “If you recognize, we are making simple mistakes that’s costing us.”
Jabloteh defeated Connection in Round One, with a 2-0 result but suffered 4-2 defeat in the semi-final round of the Toyota Classic early December.
“Connection beat us in that game because we made three blunders one of which was (Karlon) Murray’s mistakes. The challenge for our players is concentrate more. If we win this game on Friday, we are on top the table.
Connection also made mistakes in the last game against us, but we didn’t capitalize on those mistakes. Yes we are one of the better teams in the League, but more or less it all comes down to who can capitalize wins the game,” said the former US based coach.
Carter said he isn’t totally counting out defending champions Defence Force currently at the bottom of the table with zero points after completing just two matches following a late start because of the recently lifted State of Emergency issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Government.
He said, “I am not putting them (Defence Force) out the race, but right now the top four teams have found a rhythm.”
The core of Carter’s squad remains with Sheldon Batueau, Jason Marcano, Willis Plaza, Cleon John, Elton John, Marvin Oliver, Jamal Jack, Kennedy Hinkson while striker Keyon Trim is the latest addition joining from St. Ann’s Rangers.