Coming off the bench, Trinidad and Tobago international Atuallah Guerra scored twice to add some gloss to a tame Central FC performance, as the Sharks saw off Super League La Horquetta SA 3-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium on the way to a semi-final spot in the 2014 Toyota Classic knockout football competition.
Guerra’s goals added a little polish to an otherwise stale “Sharks” performance, although Central FC comfortably kept the lead once Keion Goodridge’s shot kissed off the far upright to put them ahead in the 19th minute. Central head coach Zoran Vranes did not field his “A” squad, although regulars Jason Marcano, Leston Paul, Sean De Silva, Darren Mitchell and goalie Jan-Michael Williams all started.
Briefly, La Horquetta threatened to pull level with a spell of pressure in the first quarter of the second half, when their attacking midfielder Taje Commissiong stood out. Meanwhile, Guerra was given the final half hour to make an impact, and did.
The T&T international team gave Central a 2-0 advantage in the 76th minute with a low shot past goalkeeper Sean Marshall, capitalising on the defender’s failure to routinely intercept Quian Grosvenor’s low pass across the penalty box. Guerra’s powerful 86th minute free-kick then made it 3-0, putting the result befond doubt.
League leaders Central and Sando move in Toyota Classic quarter finals.
ttproleague.com.
Leaders of their respective leagues, Central FC (Digicel Pro League) and Club Sando (National Super League) completed the quarter final round match-ups of the 2014 Toyota Classic by ousting La Horquetta SA and North East Stars respectively on Friday night.
Central, against La Horquetta in the first match of a rescheduled preliminary round double header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, defeated the Super League outfit 3-0.
Defender Keion Goodridge opened the scoring in the 19th minute for the “Couva Sharks” before a late double by Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Ataullah Guerra, scoring in the 76th and 84th minutes, completed the job for the Zoran Vranes coached Pro League leaders.
In the second of the double header, another Couva based team, the Anthony Streete coached-Club Sando, celebrated its place into the quarter final round.
Jack Weedon’s late goal in the 87th minute separated Sando – last season’s 2-0 defeated finalists against W Connection – from former winners North East Stars.
Sando will next face San Juan Jabloteh, a former club of both Streete and Weedon, from 8 pm on Monday 1 December at the Ato Boldon Stadium to wrap up the quarter final round following a 6 pm clash between Central FC and Point Fortin Civic.
The quarter final round kicks off today (Saturday 29 November) with Police FC against Defence Force from 3 pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium and Caledonia AIA against WASA FC from the same time at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
Toyota Classic 2014 Preliminary Round Results
San Juan Jabloteh 4 (Simon Nedd own goal 17', Troy Moses 31', 40') vs 1976 FC Phoenix 0
Petrotrin Palo Seco 0 vs Defence Force (Pro League) 6 (Devorn Jorsling 30', 45'+, 69', Kerry Joseph 53', Jemel Sebro 77', Darryl Trim 81')
Caledonia AIA 3 (Nathan Lewis 32', Pernell Schultz 76', Kyle Adams 82') vs Defence Force (Super League) 0
WASA FC 1 (Gary Glasgow 49') vs W Connection 1 (Alvin Jones 7')
Kicks from the penalty mark
W Connection 3 WASA FC 4
Alvin Jones (scored) Gary Glasgow (scored)
Mekeil Williams (scored) Dorean Daniel (scored)
Hashim Arcia (crossbar) Glen Walker (over bar)
Neil Benjamin Jr. (over bar) Ethan Robinson (Scored)
Gerard Williams (scored) Stern John (scored)
St. Ann's Rangers 0 vs Point Fortin Civic 3 (Marcus Joseph 37', Andre Toussaint 59', Andrei Pacheco 63')
Police FC 2 (Elijah Belgrave 30', Jibri Mc David 68') vs Guaya United 1 (Beville Joseph 11')
Central FC 3 (Keion Goodridge 19’, Ataullah Guerra 76’, 84’) vs La Horquetta SA 0
Club Sando 1 (Jack Weedon 87’) vs North East Stars 0
Upcoming Quarter Final Round Matches
Saturday 29 November
Police FC vs Defence Force—3 pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium
Caledonia AIA vs WASA FC—3 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium
Monday 1 December
Central FC vs Point Fortin Civic—6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh vs Club Sando—8 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium