'Passionate' stalemate between Portmore, Cavalier

Portmore United's coach Shavar Thomas insists that the breakdown in his team's discipline in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) first leg semi-final against Cavalier at Stadium East, yesterday, was a result of their 'passion' to get the job done.

The two teams played out a 0-0 draw, however, Portmore ended the game with ten players after Andre Dyce received a second yellow card in the 70th minute. Minutes later striker Jermie Lynch was substituted and he and Thomas had a brief argument after he took his seat on the bench. Ricardo Morris spend the last 15 minutes hurling insults at the match officials, instead of playing football, while team manager Clive Marshall complained constantly to the fourth official about referee Daneon Parchment, and how he has issued three red cards to his team in his last three Portmore games.

But Thomas insists it is just passion. "With me and Jermie, that's just passion, there's nothing to it, things like that happen," he said.

He also said that the other incidents on the day were a result of that passion.

Cavalier had the better chances to grab the advantage. Nique Daley had two great opportunities in the first half but kick both straight into the arms of goalkeeper Kemar Foster. In the second-half, Nicholas Hamilton came closest to breaking the deadlock, but his strike 15 minutes from time hit the post and rolled across the face of goal before being cleared.

Portmore also suffered a massive blow when in-form striker Maalique 'Messi' Foster went down under a challenge from Chevone 'Messi' Marsh late in the first-half, and had to be replaced.

Meanwhile, Cavalier technical director Rudolph Speid thought Portmore was there for the taking. "It was a cat-and-mouse game and everybody just wanted to ensure they did not go home with a deficit. But when they went down a man they pulled back their players and were content to play behind the ball and play for a draw. But we got the best chance and should have done better," he said.