By Daraine Luton, Freelance WriterHOME ADVANTAGE could determine the outcome of today's National Premier League play-offs.
The 'red-hot' Arlington of St. Catherine host Santos at the Spanish Town Oval while St. George's of Portland and former two-time NPL winners Wadadah battle at Lynch Park in Portland. Both games begin at 3:30 p.m.
Arlington have virtually secured a place in next season's Wray and Nephew Premier League. After three games the South-Central Confed champions have amassed seven points, three more than closest rivals Wadadah of St. James and St. George's of Portland. Santos, who are in the NPL play-offs for the third consecutive year are in real danger of not making it to the Premier League, as they sit at the bottom of the pile on one point.
Today, the odds are heavily stacked against Santos as the St. Catherine side have taken maximum points from their two home games. Wadadah, who beat Santos 2-1 on Sunday suffered 4-0 at the hands of Arlington last Wednesday at Prison Oval and St. George's who also got by Santos 2-1, were beaten 2-0. If this trend continue Santos could find themselves out in the cold.
Arlington's assistant coach Oneil Thomas said he expects an intense game but his team is not willing to give up three points to Santos.
"We want to get through the play-offs unbeaten. We are not willing to give up three points now," said Thomas.
"My team is getting confident more and more... I know Santos will be coming more determined than when we met them but we are prepared."
According to Thomas, when his team played Santos at Bell-Chung Stadium, the field condition was not great. However, he said his side is used to the Prisons Oval surface and coupled with the fact that it is their home ground, he expects them to rise to the occasion.
Meanwhile, although Arlington have been reaping success at home, Santos can take some degree of comfort in the fact that they got a point from the St. Catherine side in the first game of the play-offs. Then, Arlington who were visitors at Bell-Chung Stadium earned a point in a come from behind 1-1 draw.
UNPERTURBED
Santos' coach Carlton 'Spanner' Dennis said he is unperturbed about the home advantage Arlington has. According to Dennis his team has a perfect record at Prison Oval this season, winning the two games he played there against Rivoli and Windsor Lions in Federation Cup action.
According to Dennis, qualification is still within his team's reach.
"We haven't given up as yet. We are going to make a run for 0 points. It is not the healthiest of positions but 10 points can carry us there. We just have to win our last three games and from there our faith is in our hands," Dennis said.
Meanwhile, the St. George's versus Wadadah encounter should also be a very interesting one. When both sides met at the start of the play-offs, the youthful bunch that the Portland side fielded created problems for the more senior Wadadah side in a 2-2 draw.
Going into today's fixture, both teams are locked on four points from three games. However, St. George's have a superior goal difference (0) having scored four goals and conceded an equal amount compared to Wadadah who have scored four
