Do-or-die time in JPL

It’s do-or-die time. Two teams will advance and two will go home when the second legs of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) quarter-finals are completed this evening at Sabina Park.

In the first game at 5 p.m., Portmore and Arnett renew their battle after an exciting 1-1 draw last Monday.

Both coaches thought it was an opportunity missed to get an advantage from the first leg, but they each believe their team is ready to make the adjustment to see out the tie this evening.

“We got the advantage in the first half, but similarly to the last game we played, we were in control of the first half and then they took over (second half),” Portmore coach Philip Williams said.

“The plan was to press them and try to create as many chances as we could, and that we did. It was just a matter of us not converting the chances we got.”

For today’s game, Williams is hoping his team can control the press for longer, while taking their opportunities when presented.

“It will be simple, [we have to] control the duration of our press and convert the chances that we create. We are creating a lot of chances. It’s just a matter of getting those chances in the back of the net.

“At this stage, these are quality teams and with one goal, the possibility of them getting back will be very high. So we need to put away the chances and creating some breathing space,” he said.

Fabian Reid netted Arnett’s equaliser late in the game, after a Philando Wing own goal put Portmore in front in the first half.

Williams said the Arnett Gardens ace was allowed too much space in the area and he believes they must do a better job of closing out on the defensive end.

“The way we gave up the goal, we could have done better. We could have prevented the ball from getting into the box, and then our marking was pretty soft in the box.

“But it’s do or die now. We know we have put in the work and it’s a matter of execution, and big players must step up for these type of games,” Williams said.

His counterpart, Xavier Gilbert, lamented his team’s slow start to the fixture and said they aim to get it right this time around

“We didn’t start as how we wanted, but sometimes the opponent will cause that. But we made some adjustments after half-time, I thought it worked.

“We were much better and could have scored one or two more, which was very disappointing. Nevertheless, I am happy that we did not lose the game,” he said.

However, whether they get the start they want to the game or not, Gilbert maintains that winning is the most important thing.

“We finished the (preliminary) game at home just like this (first leg). But no matter how we start, the important thing is that we finish the game with a win,” he stated.

He also added that they will have to try to restrict the influence of Portmore’s creative spark, Alex Marshall, who ran riot in the first half of the first leg.

“Portmore are a good team, a young team, and once Alex (Marshall) is on the ball he will give you problems. So we have to keep him off the ball as much as possible,” Gilbert said.

In the second quarter-final, Waterhouse take on Tivoli at 8 p.m. The game is also tied 1-1 from the first leg.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com