Sat | Nov 16, 2024

Jamalco FC hunt historic Premier League spot

Published:Tuesday | May 31, 2016 | 12:00 AMMarc Stamp
Ian Allen
Maverley-Hughenden's Phillip Peddie (left) and Jamalco FC's Shandel Senior challenge for the ball during the Jamaica Football Federation/Charley's JB Rum Premier Leaguel play-off footbal game at Maverley Complex on SUnday. Jamalco won 1-0 and could qualify for next season's competition with a victory over Brazil FC today.

South Central Confederation Super League champions Jamalco FC of Clarendon need maximum three points against Brazil in order to qualify for the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) for the first time in their history.

Jamalco host Brazil FC, the Eastern Confederation Super League winners, at Wembley Centre of Excellence today, starting at 3:30 p.m.

In the other game, the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association Super League champions, Hughenden FC, face off against Western Confederation Super League winners, Granville United, at Maverley playing field, also at 3:30 p.m.

Jamalco lead the four-team Jamaica Football Confederation/Charley's JB Rum Premier League play-off series after each team played three games in the first round.

The Jamalco team is sitting pretty on top with nine points, followed by Brazil and Maverley-Hughenden on four points apiece. However, Brazil are second by virtue of having scored more goals than Maverley-Hughenden. Granville are yet to score a point and are rooted at the bottom.

At the completion of the home and away format, the top two teams on points will qualify for the 2016-17 RSPL.

Rayon Johnson, head coach of Jamalco, said their intent is to win and get it over with early.

"My intention is to go out there and get the three points that will qualify us for the Premier League next season," Johnson told The Gleaner yesterday.

"We don't want to wait for the other games as history has shown where teams have failed to make it after leading the series early," he added.

"The players are really optimistic. Brazil is one of the fittest teams, so we have to play our game because playing at home is not much of an advantage, as teams have won on the road," Johnson pointed out.

Jamalco will rely on captain Erron Brown, Renoir Elliott and Clarendon College schoolboy star, Greggton Charlton, to send them into the Premier League for the first time ever.

 

CRUCIAL GAME

 

Brazil FC are fully aware that the game is crucial in their quest for a return to top flight football.

"The game is very important to us. Jamalco will be at home, but we will go there with our hearts. We are coming off a high after the win against Granville. We don't want to leave Clarendon without a point as this game could determine our hopes of qualifying," Brazil's head coach, David Galloway said.

Brazil's hopes rest mainly on Carlos Campbell and Pecheeko Green, among others.

In the other game, Maverley/Hughenden will hunt their first home win after a draw and a loss in the previous two games.

On the other hand, Granville will look for their first point, following three losses in the first round.