Cavalier, Portmore lock horns for Lynk Cup
CAVALIER may have beaten Portmore United twice already this season but Technical Director Rudolph Speid says none of that matters when the sides face off for a third time in the Lynk Cup final at Sabina Park in Kingston, on Friday evening at 8:00 pm.
Cavalier won 2-1 in January then 2-0 last month, in the Jamaica Premier League, but Speid says Portmore are no pushovers and have a quality defence.
“[Those results] don’t matter because they would’ve looked at us and seen where they went wrong,” Speid told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday. “Both times, although we won, the matches were very, very close. They got opportunities and they have one of the hardest defences to break down.
“This season they only conceded 17 goals — I think they are second in that respect — so we know it’s not gonna be an easy game. It’s gonna be tough but Cavalier does have a winning mentality. We’ll be coming with everything we’ve got to continue on our winning way.”
Speid, who says the players, management, and other technical staff of the club have worked hard to get to the final, will be without defender Mackenson Cadet and midfielder Brian Elshot but will still be relying on talisman Shaniel Thomas, Ronaldo Robinson, and Collin Anderson to shore up their attack.
Cavalier’s path to the final saw them eliminating Montego Bay United and Mount Pleasant, and securing a 4-0 aggregate win over Dunbeholden in the semi-final over the last two Fridays.
Portmore’s path was more challenging as they had to see off Lime Hall in qualifiers, then Arnett Gardens and Molynes United, before beating Harbour View on penalties in the semi-finals.
Their Head Coach Philip Williams is wary of the challenge Cavalier possesses, but he is confident.
“Our confidence comes from our preparation,” Williams said after getting by Harbour View last Friday. “We know what Cavalier have to offer. It’s a final — it can be anybody’s game. It’s about preparation and execution on the day, and we’ll be prepared for that team.”
While Speid hails Portmore’s defence the team possesses quality in attack as well, with Alex Marshall, Tevin Scott, and Chevaughn Walsh ready to test the Cavalier backline.
The final will be preceded by the third-place match between Harbour View and Dunbeholden, at the same venue at 5:00 pm.
