‘Lions’, Jabloteh clash in Toyota ‘semi’

Joe Public, who seem to be on course to retain their Sportworld Super League title, got past Caledonia AIA/Fire 4-3 in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out after both teams were deadlocked at 1-1 after full time.

Joe Public’s coach Michael McComie said yesterday his team is in a positive frame of mind.

"The victory over Caledonia was a confidence-booster and we are all on a high now," McComie said, "and we are planning to carry that confidence into the match against Jabloteh."

Joe Public have been head and shoulders above their Super League rivals in terms of experience and quality, with former national midfielders Dale Saunders, Lyndon "Chubby" Andrews and Devon Caseman joined by Antiguan defender George Dublin, the Jamaican trio of Wolry Wolfe, Roen Nelson and Carlington Smith, and Brazilian forward Leandro Mancao.

And McComie, the former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper, said his team will not be any push-overs tonight.

"Despite (being) involved in the Super League, we consider ourselves a professional unit," he affirmed. "We strongly believe that we can, not only match the best teams in the country, but defeat them. So we are relishing the challenge to take on Jabloteh in the semi-finals."

"We are very well aware that Jabloteh is a very experienced bunch, but have noted some of their weaknesses and we plan to exploit it (tonight). We will not be taking them for granted," he said.

Joe Public manager Joseph "Sam" Phillip added: "We believe in our ability and we feel we have a good chance as any and we will give it our best shot."

Jabloteh will be expected to field an array of talent against the "Lions", with coach Terry Fenwick having the likes of Daurance Williams, Ian Gray, Keyeno Thomas, Nigel Daniel, Kerry Baptiste, Trent Noel, Kerry Noray, Nicholas Addlery, Nigel Codrington, Josh Johnson, Aurtis Whitley, Cyd Gray, Dexter Franklyn and captain Angus Eve at his disposal. Connection are favoured to get the better of the "Teteron Lads" in the earlier match, with coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier able to rely on captain Earl Jean, Andre Toussaint, Randolph Jerome, Ronaldo Viana, Gefferson Goulart, Jose Luiz Seabra, William Da Silva Oliviera, David Atiba Charles, Elijah Joseph, Clyde Leon and goalie Jan-Michael Williams.

But the Army-Coast Guard combination, under coach Kerry Jamerson, will pin their hopes on Anton Pierre, Kelshall Alexander, Ronald Boyce, Ronald St Louis, Christon Baptiste and the striking quintet of Devon Jorsling, Odelle Armstrong, Bevon Lewis, Jerwyn Balthazar and Kevon Carter.