DESPITE losing the much-hyped contest, Vere Phoenix United Technical Director Craig Butler believes his team has the potential to be champions after going toe-to-toe with title-holders Cavalier.

Vere Phoenix went down 2-1 on Sunday in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League at Sabina Park.

Although it was a regular season game, it felt like much was at stake due to the perceived rivalry between Butler and his counterpart from Cavalier, Rudolph Speid, as well as the attendance of Reggae Boyz technical staff including Head Coach Steve McClaren.

Prior to kick-off Butler said his team was extra motivated going against Speid’s club, which have been unbeaten all season, but they were caught off guard by another form of speed as Dwayne “Busy” Atkinson netted in the opening minute of the game.

Vere Phoenix seemed to have settled into the game thereafter but received another blow in the 43rd minute as Jalmaro Calvin beat the offside trap to make it two.

However, they were given a lifeline in 66th minute when Matthew Woo Ling tapped in from close range and Cavalier goalkeeper Vino Barclett was caught out from a corner kick.

But Cavalier held on for the win and maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

Butler, though disappointed with the result, says the absence of a number of players due to schoolboy football commitments gives him hope that they can compete with the best.

“When you look at the quality of the team, they’re both good but it was good for us to play the top team in the league and to realise that they’re not many goals better than the team we have in place,” he said.

“If this is the best that the head of the competition can offer, the champions can offer, then I’m certain when we’re reloaded it will be a more powerful encounter from our side.”

Butler says his current crop of players will come good, despite the club lying in the bottom half of the table.

“If the head of the competition can only beat us 2-1 [then] it means we’re improving. And the players we have, it’s not that they’re bad — they’re quality, top players. — it’s just that we can do better and we’ll continue to do what we’re doing,” Butler said.

“We have a break with the international window and we’ll use it to work on the fitness and put the team together. Lenny [Hyde] is a top-quality coach and [is] working with them everyday, getting them better and better.”

Cavalier Head Coach Speid says his team wasn’t concerned with any additional narratives surrounding the game.

“What narrative?” he asked. “We’re not worried about those things; we just played how we were supposed to play. We’re a professional unit, we come to get the points and go home — that’s it and that’s most important,” said Speid.

He added, “I think we need to learn how to play better in the second half [of matches]. I thought we were untouchable in the first half [but in] the second half we struggled — but I’ve noticed this in a couple of games. Not that we’re struggling much but we really got a lot of chances in the second half and didn’t put it away to make the game safe.”

The win means Cavalier are unbeaten in their opening seven games and move up to fourth on 15 points, while Vere remain ninth on eight points.

Sunday’s Results

Mount Pleasant 3, Harbour View 1

Humble Lion 0, Portmore 1

Racing United 1, Chapelton 0

Cavalier 2, Vere Phoenix 1

Montego Bay 2, Dunbeholden 1

Monday’s Games

Molynes vs Waterhouse @ 5:00 pm – Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

Arnett Gardens vs Tivoli Gardens @ 7:30 pm – Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

Noel Walker (left) of Racing United gets a handful of Chapelton Maroons’ Kiemo Dyer’s jersey in their Jamaica Premier League match played on Sunday at Sabina Park. Racing came out 1-0 winners. (Naphtali Junior)

Jadon Anderson of Vere Phoenix United tries to block a shot taken by Kaulie Auvray (foreground) of Cavalier in their Jamaica Premier League match at Sabina Park on Sunday.  (Photo: Naphtali Junior)