VIBE CT 105 W Connection and CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh showed how penalty kicks should be taken as they beat Defence Force and Joe Public, respectively, to reach the final of the inaugural Toyota Classic competition.
They won semifinal matches at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, on Friday night.
W Connection beat Defence Force for the sixth time this season, the third in a Cup competition, 4-3 on penalty-kicks after a goalless draw.
Jabloteh and Joe Public also played to a goalless draw before the San Juan club took the shoot-out 5-4.
W Connection reached its third final of the season (its 18th straight Cup final) but had only itself to blame for not winning the game in regulation time, as many chances were squandered.
Defence Force goalkeeper Cleon John, however, must also be given credit for a number of timely saves.
In the shoot-out, team captain, Earl Jean, Andre Toussaint and Brazilians William De Olliviera and Ronaldo Viana all converted.
But whereas the “Savonetta Boys” were cool and precise, Defence Force was the opposite.
Devon Jorsling missed his team’s first attempt which hit the post, while Anton Pierre kicked straight to the Colombian goalie, Alejandro Figueroea.
In between the misses, Dexter Pacheco, Kurt Williams and Adison Belfon scored for Defence Force.
Jabloteh was also perfect with its shooting through Aurtis Whitley, Kerry Baptiste, Josh Johnson, Nigel Daniel and Trent Noel.
The Easter Lions seemed on course to do the same until Jamaican goalkeeper, Jacomento Barrett, the hero in the quarterfinal win over Caledonia AIA/Fire, fired wide of goalkeeper Daurance Williams and the post.
The final on Friday will be played at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, from 8.30 pm.
It will be the third clash in a final between the teams this season.
In their two tournament finals this season, Jabloteh won the Pro Bowl 1-0 over W Connection while the latter won the First Citizens Bank Cup on penalty kicks.
The winner will collect $30,000 and a trophy donated by the sponsors Toyota, while second placed gets $20,000.
Defence Force and Joe Public will meet in the night’s first match from 6.30 pm, for the third and fourth places for $1,500 and $5,000, respectively.
W Connection and Jabloteh will meet in a dress rehearsal for the final, when T&T Professional Football League final round matches take place on Tuesday.
W Connection with 46 points can move within a point of wrapping up the PFL crown with a win over Jabloteh (34 points) at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar from 4 pm.
A win over Jabloteh will push W Connection’s lead to the top with 15 points and five matches left to play.
In other matches carded for Tuesday (Divali), also from 4 pm, Tobago United host last year’s league winner, National Quarries North East Stars, at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, while United Petrotrin meets Defence Force at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
Friday’s Toyota Classic Semifinal results:
W CONNECTION 0 vs D/FORCE 0. W Connection won 4-3 on penalty-kicks.
SAN JUAN JABLOTEH 0 vs JOE PUBLIC 0. Jabloteh won 5-4 on penalty-kicks.