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Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2023 9:22:50 GMT
Oct. 17 2023
As we are set to begin Season 2 of the TTPFL, let’s re-introduce you, the fans, to the club you’ll be supporting this season. Firstly we start off with league and cup winners, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.
Founded in 1974, Defence Force F.C. is one of the nation's most successful football clubs, having won a total of 21 national championships. Defence Force won 15 titles in twenty-two seasons in the National League from 1974 to 1995, two titles in the Semi-Professional League between 1996 and 1998, and four championships since the Trinidad and Tobago league became professional in 1999 with the Pro League.
In the inaugural season we saw Defence Force show that it’s not about how you start, but moreso about how you finish, as the Terteron Boys opened their campaign with a 3-0 trashing from AC Port of Spain but ended the season defeating AC Port of Spain on the final matchday, to clinch the league title. The title wasn’t enough as the Army-Coast Guard combination went behind the TTPFL Cup as well; successfully doing so. By watching DF, we saw how one can lead from the back, with defender Justin ‘Shiggy’ Garcia scoring several goals, including the game-winner against Terminix La Horquetta Rangers at the Police Barracks in St James. The fans should remember the several times in a row that Defence Force’s staff pulled Lashawn ‘Rat Trap’ Roberts off the bench for the Tobagonian to score four games in a row, three of which were game-winners. If you enjoyed that you would have certainly enjoyed the heroics of Brent Sam in the TTPFL Cup final, scoring a hattrick to push the Army over the finish line against a well experienced Rangers.
Defence Force didn’t only flex their muscles locally and the Chagaramas outfit represented regionally in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, despite their run ending in the Group Stage. Do you think TTDF will repeat last season’s heroics? #ttpfl
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Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2023 9:25:57 GMT
Oct. 23, 2023 Re-introducing you to your favourite La Horquetta club - Terminix La Horquetta Rangers. TERMINIX LA HORQUETTA RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB. Formally known as Superstar Rangers Football Club and St. Ann’s Rangers Football Club, our club has been in existence for over forty-eight (48) years and operating under Superstar Rangers FC for over thirty-five (35) years. Ten years ago, we changed the club’s name to St. Ann’s Rangers Football Club to reflect the location of the club was that of the community of St. Ann’s. In January 2019 club was moved to the Community La Horquetta and hence the club name was changed again to Terminix La Horquetta Rangers Football Club to reflect this move. Over 25% of our players and staff are from the area of La Horquetta along with our Head Coach Mr. Dave Quamina. Through our youth and professional league programs we have committed ourselves to ensuring that we occupy children and young adults in the discipline of sport with the goal of developing holistic, motivated and productive members of society. In the last season, La Horquetta came in like a steam roller, pulling off 3 big wins in their opening game and really began looking like one of the favorites to win the league. Veteran Atuallah Guerra rolled back the clock and scored some brilliant goals for the Terminix team, including game-winners and flying headers. Throughout the season, Rangers lost their sting lost some vital games which saw them fail to qualify for the Concacaf Club tournaments, shocking almost the entire footballing fan base. Their quality though, never left and they amazingly, with a short squad and short staff, made it all the way to the knockout finals where they were defeated 5-3 by Defence Force, giving the fans arguably the best game of the season. Now that one of the fan favourites have recovered, how do think they will do this season? Can they top their 4th place from last season? #ttpfl
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Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2023 9:28:58 GMT
Oct. 26, 2023 Introducing last season’s dark horse, Tiger Tanks Club Sando! The Club was founded in 1990 and has been affiliated to the Southern Football Association after being established as a competitive team in 1991. Born out of the Skinner Park based Stallions fete match team, which at the time possessed a wealth of young talent desirous of a more challenging arena. A challenge taken up and presently since its inception by Mr. Eddison Dean of Dean’s Coatings Ltd. Last season Club Sando was the team that caught everyone off guard, blowing teams out the water while keeping their eyes on finishing top 3. The country fell in love with the teenage sensation, Nathaniel James, who finished as top scorer in the league with fifteen goals. James’ ripping form transferred into the senior national team where he’s currently a game-winning hero. The fans were also reminded that one of the best hitters in the game was still around, after right back Alvin Jones scored in almost every game he’s played for Club Sando, since joining the club midway through the season. The young team, coached by Cornell Glen, exceeded expectations and qualified for the Concacaf Club Shield after finishing third in the league. We would say Club Sando made a good name for themselves in season one. How do you see them doing in season two?
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Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2023 9:31:04 GMT
Oct. 29, 2023 FC Phoenix will join the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) Tier One (1) for the upcoming 2023/2024 Season which kicks off on 24 November 2023. FC Phoenix’s application to join Tier 1 was received in early October 2023 and was approved by the TTPFL upon review. FC Phoenix will be the first Tobago based club to compete in Tier 1. Last season, FC Phoenix, were crowned champions of the TTPFL Tier Two (2) after defeating Petit Valley/Diego Martin United 2-1 in the Play Offs at the Dwight Yorke Stadium. Boasting players with impressive resumes in the professional zone, including Mickael Jem Gordon and Trevin Caesar, the team went unbeaten in the inaugural league season. In another change to Tier 1, W. Connection have opted for a sabbatical for the 2023/2024 campaign to restructure the club financially and administratively.
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Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2023 9:51:03 GMT
League CEO Colin Wharfe excited as TTPFL kicks offRONEIL WALCOTT 5 HRS AGO TT Premier Football League CEO Colin Wharfe delivers remarks during the league's awards ceremony, at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, St Ann's. - File Photo/TT Premier Football League The second season of the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) kicks off in earnest at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on Friday evening with an intriguing double-header, with the TTPFL also announcing a $ 250,000 prize for the championship team in tier one for the upcoming season. In the season-opener from 6 pm, Police FC will play the rebranded Eagles FC team (formerly Cunupia FC). In the second game from 8 pm, last season's two TTPFL winners – Defence Force and 1976 FC Phoenix – will lock horns from 8 pm. In the inaugural TTPFL season which spanned from March to June 2023, coach Lloyd Andrews and his Defence Force team stamped their authority on the league as they won both the tier-one league title and the knockout competition. Phoenix won the TTPFL's tier two competition after an undefeated league campaign and also satisfied the financial and club licensing criteria to be accepted into tier one for the upcoming season. TTPFL tier one will have 11 teams this season, as longstanding clubs Jabloteh and W Connection have taken a "sabbatical" for this season due to financial and structural reasons. On Wednesday, the TTPFL announced an increase in the prize money for both the tier one and tier two competitions. In addition to the $ 250,000 prize for the tier-one winners, the second-placed team will receive $160,000 and the third-placed team will get $90,000 – a total of $500,000 in prizes. Last season's tier one winners got a $ 125,000 prize, second-place got $75,000 and the third-placed team received $50,000. The overall prize money for tier two has grown exponentially from $75,000 to $300,000. The tier-two champions will receive $150,000, with the second and third-placed teams receiving $90,000 and $60,000 respectively. TTPFL CEO Colin Wharfe told Newsday he is very expectant ahead of the league's second campaign, and he says it is encouraging to see clubs taking an initiative and sourcing sponsorship. He also said the league was able to cut back expenses. "The biggest thing for us was a better understanding of our expenses. The big one would be the travel to and from Tobago. We had budgeted for more teams representing Tobago. That fell quite dramatically to two (teams) so there was the capacity there. "The other thing was the number of teams who tried to get their own sponsorship. Let us call it indirect sponsorship because the numbers relative to what we were getting for the teams increased through their own initiatives which meant we could use the $3 million subvention from the (TT government) and the $2.5 million from Fifa differently." Army and Phoenix dominated the TTPFL awards on November 3. Army's free-scoring centre-back Justin "Shiggy" Garcia walked away with the Player of the Season and Defender of the Season awards after a stellar campaign which saw him breaking into the Soca Warriors team for their ongoing Concacaf Nations League A campaign. Andrews was named manager of the season for tier-one, with goalkeeper Christopher Biggette, who made his TT international debut against Guatemala in October, won the goalkeeper of the season award. Phoenix forward Jem Gordon, a former TT Pro League player with Central FC and W Connection, walked away with tier two's Golden Boot, Player of the Season and Best Forward awards. Phoenix coach Nigel De Souza was adjudged the best coach in the second division, with Phoenix's Duvaughn Daniel copping the best goalkeeper award for tier two. "What we did last season was basically call around friends and well-wishers because we did not have a product to sell. Now that we have a product, we are going to be marketing it." Wharfe said Fifa submitted a data-finding questionnaire to all teams, with the responses reflecting a need for improvement in marketing, regional strengthening and governance. He said mechanisms have been put in place to deal with match-fixing allegations which surfaced in September. "We have now engaged an integrity officer. He will be working directly with his counterparts out of Fifa. We will do training with different elements of the clubs to ensure they are educated on these matters. The teams now have a proactive obligation to say something if they see something." The TTPFL CEO is expecting a great season across both divisions. "I am very expectant for the (new season) because you are hearing about a lot of big names who are coming back into the league. You are going to have fitter and competitive teams because the first season was about getting the guys razor-sharp again. "A number of teams do not feel as though they have done themselves justice in the Caribbean club competitions, so they want to go back and prove themselves again. There is an aggressive pursuit of players and transfers. People are starting to take (the TTPFL) seriously." As Andrews looks ahead to his team's first game of the season against Tobago's Phoenix outfit, he says Army will be doing all in their power to win the double again. "(Army have) no secrets. All of our secrets are out in the open because we have won everything (last season). We have to ensure nobody infiltrates our domain," Andrews told TTPFL media this week. "Our domain has trophies so nobody should come there and remove them." From 6 pm in Mucurapo, a new-look Police FC team will look to lay down the law against ace striker Kevon "Showtime" Woodley and the rebranded Eagles. newsday.co.tt/2023/11/24/league-ceo-colin-wharfe-excited-as-ttpfl-kicks-off/
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Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2023 9:59:13 GMT
Big things coming in Season 2.
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Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2023 16:37:08 GMT
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Post by Admin on Nov 26, 2023 11:59:55 GMT
Garcias cut 1976 Phoenix's rise in Army's 5-0 TTPFL win
RONEIL WALCOTT 17 HRS AGO newsday.co.tt/2023/11/25/garcias-cut-1976-phoenixs-rise-in-armys-5-0-ttpfl-win/Defence Force striker Brent Sam (left) scored his team's second goal against Phoenix FC, on Friday, during the second match of a TT Premier Football League doubleheader on the opening night of the league's second season, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain. - (FILE PHOTO) Reigning Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) tier one champions Defence Force wasted little time in laying down their marker in the new campaign, as they spanked tier one newcomers 1976 FC Phoenix by a 5-0 margin at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on Friday night. Playing in the second game of a doubleheader on the opening night of the TTPFL's second season, coach Lloyd Andrews' team showed no mercy to last season's tier-two winners as they put on a militant display to get the first win of the season. The Army shared the love around, as five different goal scorers found the back of the net as last season's league and knockout cup winners cut Phoenix's flight. There was also a familiar surname on the scoresheet for Defence Force, as three of their five goals were scored by Garcias – none of whom are related. The first goal came in only the sixth minute, as Nathaniel Garcia – the elder brother of Soca Warriors star forward Levi Garcia – beat Phoenix goalkeeper Duvaughn Daniel. The Phoenix shot-stopper was named the best goalkeeper of the inaugural tier two campaign as his team went unbeaten in league play last season. However, Daniel and his defence did not have an answer for Defence Force, who are intent on repeating their double-title feat from last season. Phoenix, who were accepted into tier one for the 2023/24 campaign after satisfying both financial and club licensing criteria, were given a rude awakening in their first game in TT's top flight. Defence Force were direct in their play down the flanks, with the pair of Kathon St Hillaire and in-form Soca Warriors attacker Reon Moore threatening the Phoenix defence with their trickery and lightning speed. For all their pressure, Army's second goal came as a result of lackadaisical play at the back by the opposing team, although the finishing touch was still pleasing to the eye. Towering Defence Force striker Brent Sam was the man who got his team's second goal, as he rifled a right-footed shot past Daniel from just inside the box in first-half stoppage-time following a Phoenix giveaway. Phoenix arguably had their best opening of the game with a pair of chances within seconds of each other just after the interval, but the defending champions swiftly put the game to bed with a goal at the other end. In the 52nd minute, the visiting Tobago team initiated a swift counter-attack, but Trevin Caesar's goal-bound effort was expertly charged down in the area by Justin Garcia – tier one's Defender of the Season and Player of the Season award-winner. At the end of the same play, Phoenix's Le Jandro Williams rippled goalkeeper Christopher Biggette's side-netting with a rasping right-footed blast. In the 55th minute, Justin, fondly known as "Shiggy," made his presence felt in the opposing box as well as he rose above the defence to head home a right-side corner by Justin Sadoo to make it 3-0. Last season, Shiggy scored seven league goals – inclusive of penalties – to help Army to the tier one title. In the 66th minute, Moore emerged as the new spot-kick taker for Defence Force, but his right-footed penalty was kept out by Daniel's trailing leg. Three minutes later, Daniel was picking the ball out of his net after another set piece, as Shiggy's fellow central defender, Jamali Garcia, headed in a corner by Nathaniel Garcia. Phoenix coach Nigel De Souza may have been sick at the sight of Army's cadre of Garcias at that point. The defending champions were not done there though, as substitute Lashawn Roberts sent a lovely stooping header past Daniel in the 90th minute after receiving a delightful cross from Curtis Gonzales. Roberts, who hails from Tobago, will hold the bragging rights among his Phoenix peers after Army's convincing win. On Sunday, three games will be contested in the TTPFL. In an Arima Velodrome double-header, Caledonia will face last season's tier one runner-up AC PoS from 4 pm, while Prisons FC will play Central FC from 6 pm. At the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin, Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic will host Terminix La Horquetta Rangers from 6 pm.
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Post by Admin on Nov 26, 2023 12:02:16 GMT
Eagles FC hold Police 1-1 in TTPFL opener
JELANI BECKLES YESTERDAY newsday.co.tt/2023/11/24/eagles-fc-hold-police-1-1-in-ttpfl-opener/Eagles FC players at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Friday. - TTPFL EAGLES FC came from behind to grab a 1-1 draw with Police FC in the opening match of the second season of the TT Premier Football League at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Friday. After an opening ceremony, which included moko jumbies and a performance from pan side Phase II, the match kicked off. Police FC, led by national players in brothers Joevin and Alvin Jones, started on the front foot with attacks against the Eagles. It took 20 minutes for Eagles FC to get a sniff on goal. Rhondel Gibson's free kick was whipped into the area, but it was too close to Police goal-keeper Adrian Foncette. Minutes later, Police FC's Jabari Mitchell found himself wide open six yards out but did not get the contact he would have liked and headed wide. To add to the atmosphere, the sound of a rhythm section was played on the speakers. Around the 30-minute mark, following Foncette's poor clearance, Eagle's Kevon Woodley took a shot from 30 yards but did not find the target with the Police goal-keeper way out of his goal. Police FC then struck the crossbar with a header following a corner from Joevin. Mitchell then made amends for his earlier miss converting in the 40th minute. Police started the second half with more possession and continued to look more menacing going forward. Exilus Angelo showed energy for Eagles, but he was called offside multiple times. The Jones brothers showed their chemistry linking up on the right side, but Alvin's low cross was not converted. Eagles FC made Police FC pay for all their wasted chances as Woodley equalised in the 72nd minute. Angelo played a through ball to Woodley who dribbled around Foncette before putting the ball into the open net. A Police defender tried to clear off the line, but the linesman gave the goal. The equaliser brought added tension to the match and tempers got heated as referee Nikolai Nyron had to separate the players. Alvin and Woodley were seen throwing words at each other. Jordan Riley had a final chance to give Police the lead, but he made a mess of Joevin's cross with minutes left.
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Post by Admin on Nov 26, 2023 12:03:43 GMT
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Post by Admin on Nov 28, 2023 9:05:46 GMT
Rangers turn to youth, look for 'balance' in TTPFLRONEIL WALCOTT 18 HRS AGO newsday.co.tt/2023/11/27/rangers-turn-to-youth-look-for-balance-in-ttpfl/Ataulla Guerra of Terminix La Horquetta Rangers, right, jumps for the ball against San Juan Jabloteh, during their TTPFL match last season, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima. Photo by Angelo Marcelle AFTER a fourth-placed finish in the inaugural TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers head coach Dave Quamina has promised to unleash a more youthful looking team in the league’s second season as his team tries to strike the right balance. The new TTPFL season kicked off on Friday night with a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, with reigning tier one champions Defence Force emerging as the lone winners on the night after a resounding 5-0 victory over newcomers 1976 FC Phoenix. Rangers’ TTFPL campaign kicked off with a matchup against Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin yesterday. Last season, with players such as Tyrone Charles, 34, Ataullah Guerra, 36, Daneil Cyrus, 32, Kadeem Corbin, 27, Real Gill, 20, and Kaihim Thomas, 20, at their disposal for most of the season, Rangers finished five points back of third-placed Tiger Tanks Club Sando and missed out on qualification for Concacaf Caribbean club football as a result. Both Corbin and Gill transferred to Sando during the league campaign last season, with the former now at last season’s runner-up AC PoS. Thomas tasted TTPFL success as he made a timely transfer to Defence Force last season, and he was joined at the Army by former Rangers goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire who was called up by Soca Warriors coach Angus Eve for the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League A campaign. Quamina said Rangers have lost good, young talent, but they have also taken measures to replace those players within the squad. Rangers have drafted in former Central FC striker Kesean St Rose, ex-Jabloteh defender Jelani Peters and former national under-17 winger Tyrese “Boy Boy” Bailey. Last year’s Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) MVP Tarik Lee, who featured sparingly for Rangers last season, is still within the ranks, alongside the aforementioned veteran trio of Charles, Cyrus and Guerra, who have over 120 TT international appearances combined. “I think all teams are going into the season with their (expectations) high. Football is played on the day. You cannot predict a season until it starts,” Quamina told Newsday in an interview done before the start of the season. “Last season was competitive so we are going to try and see how close we could be to the top. We have a lot of young players this time around so we will be trying to do better than we did last season.” Rangers arguably went into the inaugural TTPFL season as one of the favourites, particularly after a dominant showing in the 2022 Ascension Invitational tournament. They started the season brightly and looked to be contenders, but ran out of steam and faded badly. Club owner Richard Ferguson even publicly admonished his players following a 1-0 win against Jabloteh at their Phase 2 La Horquetta home ground in May. When asked if Rangers felt any pressure going into the new season, Quamina said, “I think all the teams are under pressure. One of the teams you may have to watch this year is the Point Fortin (Civic) team. They have assembled a good squad. They have assembled a good bunch of players so that is a team you have to watch. “You still have to watch the Defence Force and Police. It will be a competitive (season) this time around. It will not be a walkover. I do not think there are any so-called big teams.” He added, “Last season was not one of our better seasons pertaining to conceding goals. I think we were up there with the top teams in the goal scoring department but (defensively we were not at our best). “We are trying to have a balanced seasoning pertaining to goal-scoring and defending. Football is played both ways so we are trying to work on that.” Rangers’ Phase 2 La Horquetta home base has almost become the local benchmark for the right mix of football and entertainment, with hundreds of spectators flocking to the venue to enjoy the on-field football drama and the off-field performances and parties. “We will try to please the fans by coming out and trying to perform and make the La Horquetta community proud from the first game to the last game. We will give our best. All the teams have an opportunity and a chance to play for something because teams (want Concacaf Caribbean Cup) glory.” On Wednesday, the TTPFL announced an increase in the prize money for both the tier one and tier two competitions, with a total of $800,000 in prizes to be distributed across the two divisions. The championship-winning team in tier one will receive $250,000 – doubling the amount given to last season’s winners. Quamina anticipates a fight to the finish. “I think about four or five teams have a very good chance of coming into the mix for the Concacaf club tournaments so we will see how it goes. All the teams have to work on the day. It will not be a walkover.” TTPFL knockout finalists last season, it remains to be seen which version of the Rangers team will show up for this TTPFL campaign.
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Post by Admin on Dec 1, 2023 5:48:43 GMT
Rangers look for 2nd winIan Prescott trinidadexpress.com/sports/local/rangers-look-for-2nd-win/article_0f9d9c18-8fe2-11ee-a8c5-e7362b8c329b.htmlAlvin Jones NEW RECRUITS: Miscellaneous Police FC will play champions Defence Force on Sunday, at the Police Barracks in St James, from 4 p.m. Having recruited national defender Alvin Jones, centre, and his brother Joevin Jones; veterans striker Willis Plaza and Anthony Wolfe; Robert Primus, Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings and Jordan Riley, Police expect to be among the contenders after finishing mid-pack following a slow start last season. —Photo courtesy TTPFL Terminix LH Rangers will be looking for a second win of the 2023-2024 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) season tonight, when taking on Caledonia FC in the featured match of a double-header at their Phase 2 La Horquetta stronghold. Meanwhile, last season’s third-placed Club Tiger Tanks Club Sando make their season debut in the opening match against Central FC from 6 p.m. Last season’s runners-up AC Port of Spain are also in the sister isle to face FC Phoenix, the Tobago champions and Tier Two winners. Rangers are coming off a 2-1 win over Heritage Point Fortin Civic, while Caledonia were blanked 2-0 by AC Port of Spain. Rangers will field a combination of experience and young players, with goalkeeper Jabari Bryce, Ross Russell Jr, Tyronne Charles, Jevon Morris, Isaiah Lee, Caleb Sturge, Daneil Cyrus and Atualla Guerra all still on the roster. Among the younger players are former St Benedict’s schoolboy star Tarik Lee in his second season, Gary Griffith Jr, Kesean St Rose, Isaiah Raymond and Jessee Peters. Tier One action this Sunday features the “Servicemen Derby,” featuring Police and champions Defence Force at the Police Barracks in St James from 4 p.m. Miscellaneous Police FC will this season honour deceased central defender Kemron Purcell via their uniform as the game jersey has his number to the top (33), between the club’s logo and the sponsor’s logo. Purcell passed away in July after he got into an accident on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. Meanwhile, Tier Two kicks off tomorrow with three matches and a further four on Sunday. UPCOMING TTPFL MATCHES: TIER 1: Today 6 p.m.- FC Phoenix vs Athletic Club POS, Dwight Yorke Stadium, Tobago 6 p.m. - Central FC vs Tiger Tanks Club Sando, LA Horquetta Rec. Grd. Phase 2 8 p.m. -Terminix LH Rangers vs Caledonia FC, LA Horquetta Rec. Grd. Phase 2 Sunday 4 p.m. - Eagles C FC vs Prison Service FC, Larry Gomes Stadium 4 p.m. - Police FC vs Defence Force Elite , Ken Cooke Ground (St James) TIER 2: Tomorrow 3.30 p.m.- Bethel FC vs Defence Force, Montgomery ground, Tobago 3.30 p.m. - T&T Police FC vs QPCC FC, St Mary’s College Ground 3. 30 p.m. -Miscellaneous Laventille United vs Petit Valley/Diego Martin Utd, St Anthony’s College Ground Sunday 3.30 p.m.- Central Soccer World vs Guaya United, Edinburgh 500 3.30 p.m. -RSSR FC vs UTT, St Anthony’s College Ground 3.30 p.m. - Cunupia Eagles vs Matura ReUnited, Balmain Recreation Ground 3.30 p.m. -Tiger Tanks Club Sando vs Harlem Strikers, El Dorado West Secondary School TTPFL TIER ONE STANDINGS Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS Defence Force 1 1 0 0 5 0 +5 3 Prison Service FC 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 3 AC PoS 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 La Horquetta Rangers 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 Cunupia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Police 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Club Sando 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Point Fortin 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 Morvant Caledonia Utd 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0 Central FC 1 0 0 1 1 4 -3 0 Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 1 0 0 1 0 5 -5 0 Facebook Twitter Email PrintCopy article link Save
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Post by Admin on Dec 2, 2023 6:41:46 GMT
GARCIA BEGINS GOAL MISSIONtrinidadexpress.com/sports/local/garcia-begins-goal-mission/article_71e8a9be-8bf3-11ee-8ace-a36a17bbf194.htmlRoger Seepersad OPENED THE SCORING: Nathaniel James Defending Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) champions Defence Force dominated their opening fixture of the new season, whipping 1976 FC Phoenix 5-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on Friday night. Defence Force debutant Nathaniel Garcia, who entered the season with a mission of scoring more goals for new his club, got the ball rolling early in the fixture when he headed past Phoenix custodian Duvaughn Daniel in the sixth minute. Defence Force continued to threaten throughout the first half but it took them 40 more minutes for them to double their lead with Brent Sam’s brute force on display, winning the ball from the Phoenix defender at the top of the penalty boy before rifling his shot into the back of the net in first half stoppage time. Sam continued to look threatening at the start of the second but it was Justin Garcia who scored for the Defence Force, heading home off a corner from Justin Sadoo in the 55th minute to make it 3-0. It could have been 4-0 for the defending champions after they were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute but Reon Moore was denied by the Phoenix custodian who was diving the wrong way but got his boot in the way of the kick that was hit straight down the middle. The miss didn’t deter Defence Force who eventually got their fourth goal off the head of skipper Jamali Garcia, who put his glancing header through the hands of Daniel at the near post. Phoenix could not find a way back, although substitute Lashawn Roberts scored in the 90th minute off a diving header as Defence Force humbled the top-flight new-comers. Nathaniel Garcia, who was the Player-of-the-Match said: “Not a bad performance and I am really happy with the win.” “I am trying to score more goals. During the past season I haven’t been scoring much and as an attacking midfielder, I think I should score some more goals going forward,” he added. Meanwhile, his coach Lloyd Andrews was pleased they were able to score five times in a one-sided affair. “Well we weren’t tested today,” Andrews said. “The good thing is that we scored five goals. We got the opportunities and we took them,” he added. Defending champions or not, Andrews said the pressure is always on. “Once it is competition, it’s pressure but hopefully the pressure will subside as we continue to win,” he said. For FC Phoenix, head coach Adrian De Souza said they will learn from the loss and will need to make some adjustments as they go forward in the top-tier competition. “We will take the lessons from it. We know it would have been a tough game, they are the defending champions and they are seasoned team,” De Souza said. “We know we have to make a few adjustments. But we have to play a few games to take that feeling and see the level we need to get to and we understand that,” he added. Meanwhile, in the season opener at the same venue earlier in the day, Police FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Eagles FC, formerly known as Cunupia FC. Police went ahead in the 42nd minute, with Joevin Jones placing the ball right in the path Jabari Mitchell who hit a powerful right-foot shot that took a defection on its way past the Eagles custodian. Despite getting more of the possession and creating more chances, Police could not double their lead and the scoreline remained unchanged until the 72nd minute when the Eagles drew level. Police FC goalkeeper Adrian Foncette dealt with a couple of shots but was beaten by Kevon Woodley at the near post. Foncette forced Woodley wide of the goal but the attacker managed to get around the keeper before unleashing a shot from the narrowest of angles. Initially the ball seemed to be cleared off the line by Rakeem Cabie but the goal counted with replays showing the assistant referee got the call right. Police coach Wendell Joseph was disappointed with the draw saying, “I think it was two points lost.” “We were controlling the game for the most part and after taking the lead we should have held for the three points,” he added. Meanwhile, Eagles coach Michael De Four said his team was happy with the result given the calibre of the opposition.
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Post by Admin on Dec 2, 2023 6:47:24 GMT
Tinto back at Caledoniaby 20140903 www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.387270.8211f312fbFormer T&T international midfielder Hayden Tinto has returned to Morvant/Laventille-based Digicel T&T Pro League club, Caledonia AIA, the club he kicked off his career at, nine years ago. But how the skillful 29-year-old adjusts on his return to the Pro League, is left up to him said long-term Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz. "Tinto is Cale'," said Shabazz. "He has been insisting since last season that he wanted to return to the club. "Being a father and a family man, he has matured and is now a more stable and calculated individual. He brings a lot of confidence on the ball and that little extra technical ability that we need in our attack. However how he adjusts after missing a season in the Pro League remains to be seen." Tinto joined Caledonia in 2006 and after two seasons at the Morvant/Laventille club he joined rivals Joe Public in 2009. The talented midfielder, scorer of a superb goal against Mexico in 2009 for T&T's first ever goal at the Azteca Stadium, had a stint at Central FC and last represented Super League outfit Malabar FC. Shabazz adds foreign legion In the club's bid for a top-two finish in the 2014/15 TT Pro League season to qualify for the 2016 Caribbean Club Championship, which Caledonia won in 2012, Shabazz made a number of foreign signings. Haiti's 34-year-old veteran defender Pierre Hithner, 22-year-old midfielder Cristoper Joet Mejia Aguilar of Honduras, 23-year-old central defence or midfield player Rogello Robinson of Panama, 24-year-old defender Taylor Benjamin of Canada, 21-year-old Jamaica Under 23 goalkeeper Rashaun Petterson, and 25-year-old defender Teriq Highland from Barbados Defence Force FC. Highland, who initially arrived for trials at W Connection but failed to impress coach Stuart Charles Fevrier, has been granted a one-year hiatus by the Barbados Defence Force according to Shabazz. "Highland is very athletic and he comes in to fill the left side of defence with Marcus Ambrose [presently on the waiting list along with midfielder Abdullah Phillip for knee surgery]. Commenting on his Caribbean and Central American signings, Shabazz said, "The time has come for us to really use football as a vehicle for human development especially in our community. "So by bringing in a cross-section of players from the islands and even Central America, it creates a new and challenging environment for both our players and staff. The new culture and learning to cope with the different cultures of a Haitian, and getting to understand the Central American concept, is in itself a real learning experience for us. "Of course we want to do well this season so that Morvant and Laventille can raise their heads with a sense of honour and pride that we can produce positive. "We are satisfied with the quality and commitment that the foreign boys will bring. They will make us very competitive and we can hardly wait for the league to start. "However we have some younger players among the experience players that we must give playing time because the old guard of Stephan David, Kareem Joseph, Densill Theobald and Abdullah Phillip cannot go on forever," explained the Caledonia coach who finished his side in a disappointing 6th position in last season's Digicel Pro League. Shabazz said that Hithner, who last represented Haitian club AS Mirebalais, will occupy a dual role as defender and mentor to the younger defenders at senior and youth levels. A former Guyana national men's coacj Shabazz also praised Robinson saying that the Panamanian, who last represented El Salvador's Santa Teckla, is "solid as a nail, and he is a player that (former San Juan Jabloteh and Central FC coach) Terry Fenwick would admire because of his aggression". The Caledonia coach have also retained the services of Grenada's international goalkeeper Shemel Louison; defenders Nuru Abdullah Muhammad and Kareem Joseph; midfielders Densill Theobald, Keron Bethelmy, Jameel Neptune, Nathan Lewis, Kyle Bartholomew and Guyana's Pernell Schultz; and forwards Dominican international forward Julian Wade and veteran Conrod Smith. Shabazz also promoted left-winger Kyle Adams from the Caledonia Reserves, as well as added former goalkeeper, 25-year-old Zane Coker who last represented Malabar FC, 23-year-old defender Keon Russell who last represented Malta Carib Alcons, 19-year-old Trinidadian defender Damani Richards who last represented Harrisburgh City Islanders in the US, and 20-year-old talented attacking midfielder/forward Marcus Joseph. "We were also able to acquire the troublesome Marcus Gomez," said Shabazz. "He will be the challenge for the season. "He seems not able to settle down having moved from North East Stars to Jabloteh and now to us. "Like so many of the talented players that T&T has produced over the years, he is now coming to understand that talent alone is not enough. "Given the standards that we have set at Caledonia, he would have to do or run away. I fancy him as a player but time will tell how he develops."
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Post by Admin on Dec 2, 2023 6:56:09 GMT
Expert urges TTPFL clubs to build a brand
JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH 2 DAYS AGO Sport analyst Dr Roy McCree - Senior fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) Dr Roy McCree said local professional football teams need to rethink their management structure and marketing strategies. He said this is essential to not only attract more spectators, but also grow their brand locally, and by extension, increase the extrinsic value of the league to regional and international audiences. McCree was speaking at Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic Centre (PFCC) FC’s media day at Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin on November 21. He reminded club members and players that sport is a billion-dollar industry. McCree believes if clubs modernise and focus on enhancing their public image, in communities and nationally, they will see an increase in spectators, sponsors and revenue. “Is it time now for a fan club or a club of supporters that defines the professional setup elsewhere?” he asked. “Club supporters have a football function, a psychological and political function to support the team, and an economic function to buy club merchandise. “Across the TTPFL, you look at the television, you look at the stands and you try to find the crowd and spectators, and that remains a problem.” McCree drew reference to school and domestic club football from the 1960s to 1980s, when matches would generate thousands of spectators at venues like the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair and Skinner Park in San Fernando. He reflected on the 1963 Intercol final between QRC and St Mary’s, which McCree said attracted almost 30,000 spectators at the Oval. Another similar clash between St Benedict’s College and Fatima drew 20,000 to the south venue, in 1965. Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic Centre's 2023 TTPFL team and staff. - Photo by Jonathan Ramnanansingh “Something has happened in our football at all levels – school, club and national. "The internet has its own advantages and disadvantages. There’s a problem of crowd support at all levels of our football. It is challenged that, at the club level, if it is you want a source of funding and particularly the issue of merchandising, you need a fan or support base.” Merchandising, McCree said, is a major source of revenue for pro teams everywhere. “It is my hope that in the not too distant future that we can see a shop selling merchandise for Point Fortin Civic Centre, so I can come and get a cup, teacup, glass, t-shirt, bags, necklaces and so on with ex- and current players’ names on it. "For that is something that we should rethink our realm of possibility to do.” McCree has a PhD in Sociology of Sport (Leicester University, UK), MSc in Sociology (UWI) and a bachelor's in French, Spanish and Sociology, also from UWI. McCree also spoke on the challenges of club management. He said while one of the main issues remains player recruitment, player retention and player performance, the same can be said for management personnel. “Historically, throughout the county, and even nationally, football has been managed by ex-players with a great commitment to the game. That has been a model that continues with PFCC. “But in a professional setup, it’s a problem when you have ex-players who are 60, 70 and 80 being charged with the responsibility to manage a pro team and deal with the issues of marketing and sponsorship." He cited four-time Pro league champions San Juan Jabloteh, who pulled out of the ongoing TT Premier Football League season, which kicked off last Friday, owing to financial shortcomings. “We know what has happened with San Juan Jabloteh, established in 1973, and they have had to pull out of the pro league because of funding issues. But at the base of that are also management and marketing issues. Team management is the challenge we face going forward." McCree credited Heritage Petroleum for taking on PFCC’s sponsorship role and urged the players to recognise the importance of the company’s input into the promising football careers. Trendingview all 1 WI selectors should all resign or be fired NEWSDAY 2 Man charged in $1.4m Central Bank cheque fraud case GREGORY MC BURNIE 3 USA captain/wicketkeeper breaks T10 record NEWSDAY REPORTER 4 Brown-Antoine appointed to Court of Appeal GREGORY MC BURNIE 5 HDC: Trestrail housing applicants can get deposits back ANDREW GIOANNETTI 6 Princes Town woman, 72, held for cocaine LAUREL V WILLIAMS 7 WASA ordered to pay contractor $13.9m for pipelaying JADA LOUTOO
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