Flow Champions Cup KO semis take spotlight
THE semi-finals of the Flow Champions Cup Knockout competition will take centre stage this afternoon with a pair of exciting all-Corporate Area match-ups set for the Drewsland Mini-Stadium in St Andrew.
In the 5:00 pm curtain-raiser Arnett Gardens FC battle perennial rivals Tivoli Gardens FC, while in the equally enticing late kick-off, the hosts Waterhouse FC tackle Harbour View FC at 7:00 pm.
The teams, vying for the championship trophy and the $1-million main prize, are traditional Premier League contenders and all four have a history of playing attacking football.
The South St Andrew-based Arnett Gardens are yet to concede a goal in their two matches in the competition, while thumping six past their opponents.
Tivoli Gardens, located in West Kingston, have also scored six to go with three goals against, and both camps believe the quality of the defending at either end of the park could be the difference-maker.
Arnett’s head coach Calvin Lewis told the Sunday Observer that his team has to be in top form to get the better of Tivoli.
“We have to play our ‘A’ game come tomorrow. Tivoli is a very attacking team so the important thing is how we defend. We need to defend stoutly to avoid Tivoli getting on the score sheet.
“We also need to play our attacking game because once we do that we will always score,” Lewis said yesterday.
Tivoli Gardens assistant coach Alvin Shaw also emphasised the importance of defending well.
“It’s always a very tough and competitive one. The last time we played about three weeks ago it was a 2-2 tie at Tivoli Gardens in the Premier League. Both teams are scoring goals, so I think the game might be determined in the defence. I think that is going to make the difference as to who can shut down whom,” Shaw said.
Recently, each of the semi-finalists received vouchers of up to $40,000 redeemable at Locker Room Sports for equipment, training gear and medical tools for treating injuries.
“Locker Room has been a partner sponsor of the Flow Champions Cup for the past three years of the competition, and it is a great opportunity to supply well-needed equipment and gear to some of the best players in the island. Our motto is ‘Top Brands for Top Players’ and these are the best players Jamaica has to offer, so we are happy to be associated with the Flow Champions Cup,” stated David Shirley, Locker Room’s general manager.
