By Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport EditorPORTMORE United's self-assured band of Wray & Nephew National Premier League champion players will march into Tivoli this afternoon with their win, win, win attitude, bent on taking maximum points off the homesters in their big Corporate Area match.
"Our mission is to repeat and win the league again. This one of the stepping stones in our way. We're definitely going down there to get the three points," stated Portmore's coach Lenworth Hyde ahead of the 3:30 battle looming large if only for the fact that it is among traditionally strong teams.
Another promising showdown in town is set to kick off at the same time between last season's semi-finalists, Trelawny's Village United and long-time contenders Constant Spring, while in Spanish Town Rivoli, which tied Waterhouse 1-1 away last week, host Star Cosmos, also starting at 3:30p.m.
With few adjustments to a cast already set, the defending champions have remained in that mold. They have players with international senior level experience - goalie Shawn Sawyers, Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths, Wolry Wolfe, last season's 30-goal record scorer Roen 'Bumpy' Nelson and Grenadian Anthony Modeste.
Tivoli provide good measure when matched against their rivals on the registration list. Christopher Nicholas, Steve Green, Ian 'Pepe' Goodison and Marco McDonald have plenty senior experience and add to that, seasoned Premier Leaguers Edsel Scott, who has been among the national squad, Craig White and Orville Campbell.
INFLUENTIAL
Of that influential Tivoli seven, none are available now owing to injuries, physical fitness and just not being in this country.
According to Tivoli's coach, Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey, though, "name don't play football" so he's willing to use whoever's at the team's disposal.
"We've a crop of youngsters who are playing according to instructions," Bailey said. "We've a nice blend in terms of who we have available. When we went to Village we mixed some of the juniors with senior players and it worked out well. We intend to do the same thing Sunday."
That same thing emanated into what may now be called a 'Village surprise' as the much depleted west Kingston team turned back the Trelawny semi-finalists from last season 2-0 in their backyard.
Hazard also started on a winning note, shrugging off St. Mary newcomers Star Cosmos 3-0.
Confident as he is though, Hyde, himself a former Tivoli star, says they need to take control over the middle of the ball park.
"We'll have to win this game from midfield. We've to dominate the midfield and try to prevent Tivoli from playing. If you allow them to play they'll tear you to pieces," he warned of his skilful opponents.
He knows only too well because part of Tivoli's main threat is a product of himself, his son Lenworth Jnr.
"Roland Dean and Lenworth Hyde Jnr. have been playing very well so we've to mark them," he noted of the two Under-23 nationals who scored against Village.
Dean and Hyde were the men on target for Tivoli in the opening round and while they remain scoring candidates among Tivoli's offensive force, their coach has stayed far from a prediction.
"I don't like to predict results. I like to take it as it comes," explained Bailey. "We're going into the game with a positive vibe and hope for the best. I'm confident in the players that they will do their best and play hard for a win but in terms of a result at the end of the day we'll see how it goes."
TODAY'S GAMES
Constant Spring vs Village at Constant Spring
Reno vs Waterhouse at Frome Sports Club
Invaders vs Harbour View at Elleston Wakeland Centre
Rivoli vs Star Cosmos at Spanish Town Prison Oval
Tivoli vs Portmore United at Railway Oval
Seba vs Arnett Gardens at Jarrett Park
All games kick off at 3.30 p.m.
