Benfica face tough Tivoli

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

With the spoils of their end-of-first-round victory firmly tucked away, Tivoli Gardens will this afternoon seek to recapture that performance when they host the promoted Benfica at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex in the Digicel Premier League at 5 p.m.

In that game, they looked a step above all the teams in the league as they cut the round leaders Waterhouse to ribbons with a 5-1 victory. Subsequently, they played to a 1-1 draw with Humble Lion in a rescheduled fixture and according to manager Brian Rose, that performance was not really a let-down but there will be no repeat of it.

For that game, Rose said there were a few niggling injuries and one or two key absences but now they almost have a full hand to play but for the still injured Navion Boyd and Kevin Blackford. Even with the confidence expressed, Rose was quick to note that his team will not be viewing the visitors as walkovers.

"Well, it is a tough team. I think they have matured since we played them in the first round, so we cannot afford to take them lightly," Rose said.

"We too have grown from strength to strength but it is obvious that they are doing some good things as they have taken some prized scalps both at home and away," he added pointing out that his team keeping the focus for 90 minutes will be crucial.

What will be of particular interest is whether or not Benfica are able to put their recent off-field problems behind them and present a united force against Tivoli Gardens. Firing of players, restive players, an attempted coup and a brokered power-sharing deal have all been part of Benfica's recent reality.

Gregory Tape, Wolry Wolfe, Carlington Smith and Garfield Reid have been outstanding for Benfica in the first round and if they along with their teammates show anything close to that, then declarations that all is well at the club would have been confirmed.

Like Benfica, leaders Waterhouse have had their internal problems which, among other things, saw the voluntary departure of coach Baris Johnson and the subsequent humiliation of the team in the end-of-round final. The challenge is now for assistant coaches Xavier Gilbert and Marcel Gayle to get them back in the frame of mind which saw them motivated and playing attractive football.

focus on the bigger picture

"It is difficult but we are trying our best to have them focus on the bigger pictures of getting back to winning ways and doing well in the second round," said Gilbert of the task at hand.

"We are expecting them to come out on Sunday and put on a good show. We have an excellent home record as we have not dropped any points there so far this season and we intend to continue that," he added.

For that to happen, Gilbert and Gayle will need the full support of their players, especially the midfield livewire Kenardo Forbes and the competition's leading scorer Vincent Earle.

Unfortunately for Gilbert, Forbes may not be able to show his commitment on the field as he is yet to fully recover from an injury and will sit out this game.

Others such as Jermaine Anderson, Jermaine Fletcher, goalkeeper Richard McCallum and Weston Forrest will have to carry the team if they are to rebound.

Eighth-place Sporting Central fell off towards the latter part of the first round and a continuation of that form could be just what Waterhouse need to rebuild their confidence and commitment. For Sporting Central to turn their form around JeVaughn Watson will have to carry the team.

Today's games

3 p.m: Humble Lion vs Harbour View - Effortville Community Centre

5 p.m: Tivoli vs Benfica - Edward Sports Seaga Complex (live on Hype TV)

6 p.m: Waterhouse vs Sporting Central Academy - Drewsland Stadium

6 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Village United - Anthony Spaulding Complex

6:30 p.m: St Georges vs Boys' Town - Lynch Park

6:30 p.m: Portmore United vs Reno - Ferdie Neita Park