No second chances
JPL coaches wary of mistakes in semi-final do-or-die legs
Published:Sunday | May 12, 2024 | 12:13 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
THE JAMAICA Premier League’s (JPL) leading scorer, Waterhouse’s Javane Bryan, and Arnett Gardens ace Fabian Reid,are major doubts coming into today’s second-leg semi-finals at Sabina Park.
Mount Pleasant play Waterhouse in the first game at 5 p.m., and Cavalier face Arnett in the second game at 8 p.m. Both games are tied at 1-1 from the first leg.
Bryan, who leads the league with 17 goals, is nursing a shoulder injury from the first leg, and Reid picked up a hamstring strain.
Word from both camps is that the two were to undergo late fitness tests on yesterday to see if they would be healthy enough to take the field.
Waterhouse coach Marcel Gayle believes Bryan would be greatly missed if not fit enough to play.
However, he said they are ready to replicate their workmanlike effort in order to get the win.
“It (Bryan’s shoulder) is less than desired,” Gayle commented.
He added that Mount Pleasant are arguably the best team in the competition and the region but that the St Ann team were fortunate to escape with a draw last time out.
“We know we are probably playing the best team in the Caribbean, and we know we will have to suffer. But we are willing to suffer because in the end, it’s the result (that matters).
“It was a workmanlike performance (first leg). So credit to the guys. We held our nerve, and it is just unfortunate we could not come away with a win, but we will stick to that plan,” he said.
Mount Pleasant coach Theodore Whitmore thought his team was underwhelming in the first leg. But having shaken off the cobwebs, he will be looking for a much stronger performance to separate themselves.
“The first part of the season is done. Now it is the semi-finals and every team is looking forward to it.
“There are no easy games. We have to come and put our best foot forward and get the desired result,” he stated
“We have just completed the first half of the two-legged tie, and we are looking forward to the next leg.”
In the second semi-final at 8 p.m., Arnett and Cavalier are also evenly poised at 1-1, and both coaches believe it will come down to who makes fewer mistakes on the day.
“They will not do things the same. They will change up a little bit. There will have to be a period of assessment about what they are doing. After we have assessed, we will decide on what we want to do,” said Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid.
“But Arnett is a very good team, just like us, so it is going to be a very close game. There is not much difference between the teams. They are evenly matched. So who makes less mistakes and executes on the day will survive.”
Arnett coach Xavier Gilbert expressed disappointment in their slow start last Sunday and their inefficiency in the final third.
He also mourned the possibility of not having his top striker, Reid, for this leg but insists that it is a chance for others to show what they can do.
“Having your top striker out would be a big loss, but it is an opportunity for others to step up.
“Every team in the playoffs has a chance, and it is the team that makes the least mistakes on the day,” said Gilbert.