UNIVERSITY of the West Indies (UWI) have the tough task of bouncing back in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) All-Island Confederation Play-offs when they host the formidable Portmore United outfit at the Mona Bowl, starting at 3:30 pm today.

In the other fixture this afternoon, also starting at 3:30, York United visit the Frome Sports Complex in Westmoreland to battle Savannah SC.

On Wednesday’s opening match day, UWI, the top team in Kingston & St Andrew Football Association, were defeated 1-3 by Eastern Confederation winners York United at the York Complex in St Thomas.

But heavy rain forced the abandonment of the encounter between South Central Confederation winners Portmore and Western Confed champions Savannah at Spanish Town Prison Oval after 35 minutes. At the time Portmore, the former national champions, were 2-0 up in waterlogged conditions, thanks to goals from Rodian Jennings in the 18th and 32nd minutes. A date for the replay is yet to be announced.

Clive Marshall, the manager of Portmore, said his team is guarded against complacency, given the format of the play-offs.

“It’s an important clash and every game here is important because it is a very short competition, so every point is vital. We will go out with a positive frame of mind and for us, things really start tomorrow (today) because the first game was rained out,” he told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

The UWI Coach Marcel Gayle stressed that the opening loss has to be put behind them if they are to stay in contention for promotion to the nation’s top-flight football.

“We want to start positive and get things right [against Portmore]. We have to put the loss behind us and focus on the next game. Portmore is a very good team over the years and they have been playing good football, but if you want to go to the Premier League you have to beat the best,” Gayle said.

The four teams in the Confed Play-offs will oppose each other on a home-and-away basis.

The top two teams will advance to next season’s Premier League competition.