BY AINSLEY WALTERS, Staff Reporter
RIVALS TIVOLI GARDENS and Portmore United meet for the fifth time this season with bragging rights and the Wray and Nephew Knockout Cup at stake inside the National Stadium, starting at 8:00 p.m. this evening.
Portmore, who lost their Premiership crown to Waterhouse in the recently- concluded season, are burning to avenge their Red Stripe Champions Cup defeat against Tivoli after leading the national knockout final 2-0 inside the Stadium.
After splitting two thrilling draws and a pair of victories, including Tivoli's 3-2 extra-time win in the Red Stripe Champions Cup knockout final, the Wray and Nephew Cup decider should settle this season's rivalry between the teams.
Following his team's 3-1 victory of Seba to advance to tonight's final, Portmore coach Paul Young openly declared he wanted another go at Tivoli, who not only snatched the Red Stripe Trophy but also relegated his team to fourth in the league.
REGULATION TIME
"In the first half, Tivoli dominated and we were fortunate to be up two goals," said Young, reflecting on the match Portmore thought they had in the bag until Tivoli coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey called Jermaine Johnson, Fabian Davis and Nicholas McCreath off the bench.
Johnson scored a header and set up another goal as his team rallied to end regulation time at 2-2 before taking the title 3-2 in extra time.
"I told them we needed another goal," Young recounted. "We created the chances but didn't score. Tivoli made a few substitutions and it had an immediate impact on the game. We didn't contain them.
"The goals we gave up were individual mistakes. We lost concentration and were not disciplined but come Sunday, we are going out to play some good football. We need to concentrate for longer periods and the team to make the least mistakes will win," Young added.
Similar to Tivoli manager Brian Rose, Young said his team was free of injuries and suspensions. However, the return of striker Kevin Deerr could be the trump card for the men from Portmore.
A whiz with the ball at his feet, Deerr is every defender's worst nightmare as he's capable of scoring exquisite goals as well as setting up his teammates.
PROFESSIONAL DUTIES
"The opposition fears him a lot and whenever he plays well the teams plays well," Young remarked.
Forward Steven Morrissey is quick and could prove bothersome with Deerr back in the squad as his strike partner. The former Glenmuir High schoolboy star assisted on one goal and netted another in Portmore's 3-1 semi-final win against Seba on Sunday, showing he's ready to stake his claim among the big guys.
With Portmore's senior attackers still away on professional duties in Trinidad and Tobago, they have struggled to put away rivals this season.
However, their defence was the league's stingiest and the Anthony Modeste-led backline will have to be at its best again to contain the likes of speedy Roland Dean, dangerous Christopher Nicholas plus the booming left foot of Christopher Jackson, who blasted in two rocket-like free-kicks in Tivoli's 3-2 semi-final win against Harbour View.
"Tivoli brings out the best in us," said Young. "It will be a keen contest. We just have to maintain our concentration for the 90 minutes or longer."
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