Harbour View aim to maintain form when JPL resumes

Reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions Harbour View will be looking to maintain their rich run of form against 11th-place Tivoli Gardens when the local league resumes tomorrow following the stoppage during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Ludlow Bernard believes it’s of “high importance” that his group maintains focus, and pick up where they left off.

“It’s always going to be very important to maintain our form. When you are champions there is a certain level of expectation not only from fans, but from the players because they realise now that they have to be consistent in what they do,” Bernard stated.

The ‘Stars of the East’ claimed their fifth JPL title last season following a 6-5 victory on penalties over Dunbeholden. Bernard said it is difficult to emerge repeat champions but claims it remains a top priority for both himself and the management staff of the team.

“For me personally, it is high on the list, but for the club it is even higher. However, we are guided by certain conditions because Harbour View Football Club is known over the years to export players and that may affect our journey towards a next championship. Our ambition is to ensure that the players at all times perform to the best of their abilities, and hence, if it’s good enough it will put us in a good position to retain our title again.” he added.

Coach Bernard praised the attitude of the players during the pause in the JPL due to World Cup action, as he revealed the training exercises didn’t experience a dip in participation from his group, and even commended them (players) for the competitiveness that they displayed during the break.

“Well, we didn’t stop our training. It is imperative that we stress to the players that they are professionals. Even though there was a sideshow taking place, we still had a responsibility to continue working. The players have been very compliant where that is concerned and they have performed in a very professional manner and we hope that when the season resumes, we will be close to match conditioning,” Bernard said.

Harbour View, who sit atop the league standings, are one of three unbeaten teams remaining.The others are Mount Pleasant and Portmore United. The Ludlow Bernard-coached team has scored a league-high 14 goals in five games, just 12 below their total from all of last season while conceding five in the process. Bernard believes the abundance of goals so far in due to the experience of winning the championship last season.

“The quality players have always been there to score goals and we’ve managed to do that. Being champions provided composure for the attacking players. They now feel less pressured when they are in front of the goal and that has helped us,” Bernard said.

Tomorrow’s games

3 p.m: Cavalier vs Faulkland

3 p.m: Mount Pleasant vs Waterhouse

3 p.m: Vere vs Montego Bay

5 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Humble Lion

5 p.m: Chapelton vs Molynes

7:30 p.m: Portmore vs Dunbeholden

7:30 p.m: Tivoli vs Harbour View

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com