Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Portmore United travel to Harbour View in a mouth-watering clash as the all-island Red Stripe Champions Cup Knockout competition continues with four games today.
In the other quarter-final games, Waterhouse welcome Reno, Tivoli Gardens tackle Maverley/Hughenden and Arnett Gardens play Rivoli United.
Portmore, fresh their impressive demolition job of Premier League team Village in the last round, are bubbling with confidence but should find Harbour View a tougher proposition.
Portmore destroyed Village 5-0 on aggregate, with Onandi Lowe hitting form with three goals over the two legs.
Paul Young, coach of Portmore, knows he has a tough game on hand but is hoping to secure an away goal.
"It is important we get an away goal to count as two and not give up any to be in good shape for the return at Ferdie Neita," said Young.
Portmore will be looking to the towering Lowe, who has been finding the net regularly of late - hitting four goals in his past five local games.
MAIN FORCE
Kevin Deerr, Anthony Modeste, Kemeel and Rafe Wolfe should be the main driving force behind the Portmore machinery.
Harbour View, who have opened up a four-point cushion with a game in hand in the Premier League, have regained their confidence and will prove hard to beat.
Donovan Hayles, coach of Harbour View, is looking forward to the challenge but is cognisant of the fact that conceding a goal at home could be critical.
"We will be at home and what the competition brings is that we have to make sure we win without conceding a goal because of the away-goal rule so we can have an advantage going back to Portmore for the return leg," Hayles said.
"It will be a tough game and I am looking for the matchup and I believe the two teams will produce good football," he said.
Harbour View will be without the services of top defender Desmond Breakenridge who is Cup tied and Daniel Shaw but will welcome back Jermaine Taylor from international duties.
In Fabian Taylor, Lovell Palmer, Donald Stewart, Lenny Hyde Jr. and Ronny Amaguana, they have enough fire power to seize the initiative.
In the other matchups, Waterhouse should get the better of Reno although their home form has not be that impressive of late.
The improving and ever dangerous Tivoli Gardens should make mince meat of the only non-Premier League team Maverley/Hugenden, while Rivoli have the perfect opportunity to upset an Arnett Gardens team in turmoil.
TODAY'S GAMES
Harbour View vs Portmore United at 7:00 p.m.
Waterhouse vs Reno at 6:00 p.m.
Tivoli Gardens vs Maverly/Hughenden at 6:00 p.m.
Arnett Gardens vs Rivoli United at 5:00 p.m.
