BY AINSLEY WALTERS, Staff Reporter
Left: Donovan Hayles..coach of Harbour View. Right: Portmore's coach Paul Young - CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
HAVING DRAWN AS many games as last-place teams Constant Spring and Rivoli United in the Premiership, champions Portmore United have written off their league chances but are desperate to retain their national knockout crown in the Red Stripe Champions' Cup.
Title-holders Portmore face league leaders Harbour View at Compound, starting 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, in one of three all-Premiership clashes in the quarter-finals of the Champions' Cup.
MAN IN CHARGE
Bradley Stewart will be the man in charge of Arnett Gardens at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex against Premiership cellar dwellers Rivoli United, starting at 5:00 p.m.
Stewart has been called in by Arnett's management to replace Jerome Waite with Michael Tulloch being retained as assistant coach.
The evening's other all-Premiership showdown pits second-place Waterhouse at home against lowly Reno, starting at 6:00 p.m. whereas Tivoli Gardens, third in the Premier League, face Super League side Maverley at the Edward Seaga Stadium with kick-off also set for 6:00 p.m.
Portmore coach Paul Young last night said Portmore, the Caribbean Club champions and St. Catherine parish knockout winners, are aiming to add the national knockout to their trophy case.
"It is definitely a priority," said Young. With the Premiership title out of reach, we're going all out to defend this title, but it will be tough against Harbour View."
In two meetings this season, the teams traded 1-0 away wins in the Premiership. Their third-round match-up, one of the most anticipated games due to second-place Waterhouse's sustained chase of Harbour View, was postponed due to Portmore's participation in the CONCACAF Club Championship.
Harbour View coach Donovan Hayles is looking forward to the Portmore match-up but respects the defending champions.
"With this Red Stripe format, being at home Wednesday, with the away-goal rule, at home can be a disadvantage," he said. "First of all, we've to be sturdy in defence and at the same time hope for a home victory."
Harbour View advanced to the quarter-finals over Seba and returned to winning ways in the Premiership Sunday with a 2-0 victory against Rivoli after back-to-back league losses.
NOTCH UP
Hayles admitted Portmore will be a notch up but said a win is a win.
"Once you return to winning ways it doesn't matter who you get it against," he said.
Even without ineligible players such as Daniel Shaw, Desmond Breakenridge and Leon Strickland for other reasons, Hayles said he'll still have a strong squad.
Meanwhile, Young is out for an away win to get the tie under way,
"It is important we get an away goal to count as two and not give up any to be in good shape for the return at Ferdie Neita," he said.
Whereas Harbour View will be without at least two starters, Portmore will have the services of former national striker Onandi Lowe, who has been on target in his last four games locally.
"His condition has improved and the more he plays he's looking better," remarked Young. "He was good against Waterhouse last night and he can give any team a goal per match."
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