Tivoli, Portmore in 'final' showdown'

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Money and bragging rights will be the main motivators when defending champions Tivoli Gardens and Portmore United meet in the first end-of-round final of the Red Stripe Premier League at 7 p.m. today at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

On offer for the winners is prize money of $250,000, and $150,000 is offered to the runners-up.

This occasion will also mark the launch of Monday night football, a feature of new title sponsors Red Stripe.

"There are five major trophies that we will be competing for this season and with this being the first bit of silverware on offer, we are going for it. We want as many of them as possible and we want to start with this one," said manager of Tivoli Gardens Football Club, Brian Rose.

"To achieve that, we have to start winning again. We have not done that in a while, but we have what it takes to get that monkey off our backs," added Rose.

Injuries no problem

This, he said, can be achieved despite injuries to key players Christopher Jackson, Marcelino Blackburn and Jameel Thompson.

"All our players are important and play important roles within the group, but we have replacements. We have a good, deep squad and that is important," a calm Rose stated.

Portmore United are equally confident and according to coach Calvin Lewis, having not done well in the league in recent seasons, his charges are in greater need of a victory.

"We need it more than they do. We have not been doing well in the last couple of years, so for us, it is a greater need and only our best is good enough," Lewis said.

"Our thinking right now is to not only pray for it, we have to claim it and in order to do it, we have to play good football," added Lewis.

Like Tivoli Gardens, Portmore United will go into today's game minus key players. Captain Adrian Reid, top defender Rosario Harriott, as well as top scorer Alanzo Adlam are injured and this could significantly reduce their potency. Lewis, however, is not worried.

Not worried

"We are strong and are not worried about Tivoli. We have to take care of our own business. We had good rest so everyone who is up for selection should be alright," explained Lewis, who will be fielding a largely youthful team, but will have the likes of Tremaine Stewart, Andrew Vanzie and Eric Vernan available.

On the face of it, Tivoli Gardens may appear to have the edge in this encounter as, with Navion Boyd and Mitchily Waul, they have two of the leading goalscorers available to them, while Adlam, who also shares that title, will be absent.

Additionally, in the only meeting between the two teams this season, Tivoli Gardens were the winners.

Tivoli is also still the only unbeaten team in the league this season.

A closer look at the matchup between the two teams over the past three seasons will reveal that they have met eight times in the league, with Portmore United holding a very slender margin, having defeated Tivoli twice. Five games were drawn and Tivoli Gardens won one. That victory only came earlier this month.