Jabloteh, Connection go for FCB Cup

Kick-off time is 8.30 pm with the winner ensured of a bounty of $35,000.

Any match-up between Jabloteh and Connection is normally the highlight of any local calendar and, in 2005, Jabloteh have won both encounters by 1-0 margins — in the T&T Pro Bowl final and in the League itself.

And fans will surely be treated to a fine display of football tonight, which will be preceded by the third-place play-off between Defence Force and United Petrotrin from 6.15 pm.

Jabloteh, coached by former England defender Terry Fenwick, have recently lost national wing-back Cyd Gray and promising striker Jason Marcano due to injury.

But dreadlocked defender Dexter Franklyn, one of the most improved players this season, and Jamaican Nicholas Addlery seems certain to fill the breech. Known for their aggression and intimidating style of play, Jabloteh have a settled squad, with former national goalkeeper Daurance Williams, Keyeno Thomas, Nigel Daniel, Ian Gray and Franklyn controlling the backline.

Captain Angus Eve, Trent Noel, Josh Johnson, Kerry Baptiste and Trinidad and Tobago’s Aurtis Whitley form a five-man midfield with Kerry Noray, one of the league’s top goalscorers, in front, with Addlery, fellow Jamaican Keith Kelly, Guyanese Nigel Codrington and Devon Mitchell in reserve.

Connection will definitely not be any pushovers, with ex-St Lucian defender and TT coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier leading the way from the touchlines.

He may have to decide whether former TT youth team goalie Jan-Michael Williams or Alejandro Figueroa start between the uprights, but his line-up seems assured — with the likes of captain Earl Jean, strike partner Andre Toussaint, midfielders Ronaldo Viana, Gefferson Goulart, Jose Luiz Seabra and Travis Mulraine, with David Atiba Charles, Elijah Joseph, William Da Silva Oliviera and Clyde Leon in the back, complimented by substitutes Ramould Aguillera, Shane Calderon, Andrei Pacheco and Randolph Jerome.