Sport

Final Clash!

Portmore United's left flank defender Rafei Wolfe is shoved off the ball by Tivoli Gardens' right back Orane Simpson during last Wednesday's Premier League first leg final at the National Stadium. - ian allen

A BATTLE OF epic proportions awaits the National Stadium at 5:00 p.m. today when Tivoli Gardens run out to defend their Wray and Nephew National Premier League title against 2003 champions Portmore United.

The teams stand locked with nothing separating them after 90 minutes of football in last Wednesday's first leg.

Caution to the wind

The last time the teams met, a frantic opening 13 minutes resulted in a 1-1 draw. Tonight, neither team can afford to play cautious.

"On Monday it's 1-1, and no team can hold back then," said Tivoli Coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey, who is trying to etch his team's name in the annals of local football history, gunning for a fourth title.

The defending champions will be depending highly on Steve Green, who had to suffer through intense muscle pains during most of the first leg.

"Steve Green was feeling a lot of pain but it is nothing that will stop him from playing in the final. He's a fighter," said manager Brian Rose.

Whereas Steve Green is the essential cog in the Tivoli midfield, especially defensively, Waheem Walker plays probably the most important role in the defending champions' line-up.

Going into the semi-finals, Tivoli's attacking prowess was in question, missing the experience and attacking capabilities of last year's most valuable player (MVP), Fabian Davis.

However, Walker stepped up to the plate and was brilliant against Harbour View in the semi-finals as he split their defence line with apparent ease. He was comfortable taking the ball with his back to goal, leaving his markers in his wake and throwing forward delicate passes to put Roland Dean into situations where he couldn't help but score.

Kemar Mills has also been a revelation, scoring in both semi-finals off the bench but the return of the League's leading goalscorer, Christopher Nicholas, is the influence up front that Tivoli fans will be hoping for.

Fluent attacks

Christopher Jackson is the wing-back that Tivoli usually depends on to go forward. However, since the start of the semi-finals, Orane Simpson has shown real pace and determination down the right flank.

Portmore United are known for keeping the ball for long periods. Their attacks are fluent and do not centre around anyone in particular with Jason Morrison, Wolry Wolfe and Omar Daley being capable ball handlers in their own right. That dangerous combination in attack has been spearheaded by their inspirational captain, Kevin Deerr.

In the first leg of the final, Deerr was unstoppable and provided the kind of individual brilliance that it takes to break down the Kasai Hinds-led back line that gives up so little.

Portmore's defence has been standing tall all season. Anthony Modeste, leads that backline behind Christopher Dawes, their defensive midfielder.

They are hard customers to get by and with the possible return of Jamaica Under-20 defender Rudolph Austin, Tivoli will have to be astute to make an impression.

Mario Swaby could also factor in Portmore's attacks. He scored two goals to give Portmore a come-from-behind victory against Waterhouse in the semis. There isn't much between the teams as they are both capable of producing exquisite football.