Barbican, Los Perfectos women hunt crown

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Defending champions Barbican will meet debutants Los Perfectos in today's final of the Jamaica Football Federation Sherwin Willians Colourscape women's knockout competition at the University of the West Indies Bowl, starting at 3 p.m.

Barbican, who are also the defending league champions, should start slight favourites in a match that is expected to be very exciting.

Both teams won two games and were given second-round byes on their way to the final.

Barbican defeated Constant Spring and Trelawny Women 1-0 and 3-1, respectively, while Los Perfectos defeated Santos and Waterhouse 2-1 and 2-0, respectively.

Charles Edwards, coach of Barbican, is anticipating a tough matchup.

"I am expecting a very tough game because they have been doing exceptionally well all season," said Edwards. "I think we will come and perform to the best of our abilities, and I believe that the team that wants it the most will win at the end of the day," said Edwards, a former national women's coach.

He added: "We have been in a lot of championship games and, therefore, we are well seasoned, and I am expecting my players to put up a good fight."

Barbican will rest their hopes on leading players Jodi-Ann McGregor, Alicia James, Philisha Lewis, Nadola Chase and Trudian Mills.

The Merron Gordon-coached Los Perfectos also reached the mid-season finals of the Sherwin Williams Women's League, where they lost to Portmore Strikers. They are also leaders of their zone in the league competition.

"We are very confident but we know that Barbican are much more experienced than us. But we are hungry for this trophy, and as long as we go out there and do what we have to do I know that we can pull it off," said Gordon.

"I know that it is going to be very tough because Barbican are going to come very hard at us, and we also intend to play hard too, so it should be exciting to watch."

Gordon added: "I think that if we execute our game plan and put away our chances we will win. We are hoping to do this."

The Manchester team will be banking heavily on national representatives Shinell Brisco, Nugene Nugent, Simone Honeghan, Carla Daniels, Sasher-Lee Cooper and Shena Wint.