Return leg will be crucial - Damono Solomon

Portmore United defender Damono Solomon expressed confidence that his team will progress after the dust of their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) two-legged semi-finals battle with Cavalier United is settled. Both teams played to a hard-fought goalless draw at the National Stadium East field on Sunday in a game which Portmore ended with 10 men after Andre Dyce was red-carded with just over 10 minutes to go.

Even though his team did not get an away goal from the fixture, the centreback was content with the result and said that it was now up to his team to take care of business on home soil to advance to the final, as they bid to claim the crown they lost at the final hurdle to Arnett Gardens last season, and Montego Bay United the year before.

"I wouldn't say it's an opportunity lost as we have the return game on our home turf. What we need to do in that game is to capitalise on our chances when they come. We are very confident that we will take care of business on our home turf" the normally assured defender said.

PART OFTHE GAME

Solomon did not look as sharp and fluent as he normally does during the match, but said that it is just part of football, expressing the view that players will have games when they are not at their best.

"I would say it's just one of those games,"he said. "We won't all have all good games in every game we play and it so happens that today wasn't one of my better games."

When asked if two weeks without Premier League competition was a factor in the below-par performance for himself and his team, Solomon said no. The two weeks, he insisted, were productive on the training ground and showed in the game.

"I wouldn't say the two weeks without any games hindered us as we were working very hard on the training pitch, and that showed as we played a good game even as we ended with 10 players," Solomon reflected.

He expressed confidence that talismanic teammate Maalique Foster will be back for the second leg, following his early withdrawal from Sunday's game with an apparent ankle injury.

"His early departure did have us worried and affected our game, but knowing him, I know he will be back for the second leg. He is the kind of player that likes to play and help his team, and knowing what's at stake for his team, I think he will be motivated to be ready for the second leg at home to help us to victory," Solomon concluded.