Defence Force look for Pro Bowl redemption

Defence Force have struggled in the Pro League competition recently, but are hoping to change their fortunes on Tuesday when the Digicel Pro Bowl quarterfinals kick off. At the Digicel Pro Bowl press conference yesterday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Gordon gave his thoughts on the tournament.

Gordon said, “I think we are beginning the tournament as underdogs because the turn of the new year has not been good for the Defence Force. We have been through a difficult period and we have not gotten much points on the board in the league, but I think I have a group of soldiers that love knockout competitions. They have a great desire. It is a short competition, three games and you can be champs.” Defence Force, currently sixth in the league, will face San Juan Jabloteh (third in the league) in the quarterfinals at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field in Port of Spain on Tuesday at 8 pm.

Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League, Dexter Skeene, spoke about the prizes on offer in the Digicel Pro Bowl.

Skeene explained, “The theme is winner takes all and in this vein, not only will the winning team take home $100,000 but a new scheme will be employed. The Best Defender, Best Midfielder and Best Forward from the winning team will receive a trophy, a handset courtesy Digicel and a voucher worth $1,000 courtesy the Fan Club.

“In the past we have had the MVP and the Most Goals coming from any of the teams, but to keep it consistent with the winner takes all concept, we decided that only the winners will benefit in this instance.” Digicel’s senior sponsorship officer, Christopher Edmond, said it is an honour to be involved in the Pro League. Edmond said, “Having already been in partnership at the Pro League level, it was a natural synergy for us to get involved in the Pro Bowl.

Over the past eight years it’s been our privilege to witness the display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, in addition to the bonds built, rekindled and promoted among the young champions of the sport representing the red, white and black on national, regional and even international playing fields.” The teams in the quarter-finals were seeded with reigning league champs and current leaders Central FC ranked top. They face bottom seed St Ann’s Rangers. The seeding was based on the teams’ current position in the Digicel Pro League. The Pro Bowl semifinals will take place on February 10 and the final will be played on February 19.

Digicel Pro Bowl quarter-finals Tuesday) Central FC vs St Ann’s Rangers, Ato Boldon Stadium, 6 pm W Connection vs Police, Ato Boldon Stadium, 8 pm Ma Pau Stars vs Club Sando, Hasely Crawford Training Field, 6 pm San Juan Jabloteh vs Defence Force, Hasely Crawford Training Field, 8 pm