KINGSTON, Jamaica — There was nothing to show between reigning champions Cavalier and Mount Pleasant FA after ninety minutes of football in their two-legged quarterfinal tie in the Jamaica Premier League on Monday.

A nil-all stalemate between the two means that the second leg on Thursday is likely to be an explosive affair, with Mount Pleasant desperate to make the semifinals and Cavalier determined to continue their title defence.

Cavalier assistant coach, David Lalor, could not hide his disappointment after his team failed to take full advantage of a good opportunity to take a lead into the return leg.

“We are definitely disappointed that we didn’t take all three points. I think we muffed some easy chances, granted they got one or two also. But at the end of the day, I don’t think we were putting the ball forward enough and comfortably enough through the gaps,” he said.

The absence of key players also stifled the ability of the free-flowing football Cavalier is noted for, Lalor suggested.

“And I guess we missed a couple of players that are out. At least three players are out, two on national under-20 duty and one had a funeral, so we hope that when these three players come back the adjustment will be sufficient for us to take it home on Thursday.

“We played in patches, but we weren’t playing the ball around comfortably enough and I think that made the game look a little flat for us.”

The return leg will be a final in the mind of Lalor, who expects an even tougher game from a very talented Mount Pleasant team.

“It’s a final and with every final you know it will be a little different and it will be tougher. We just have to fix up some stuff and come Thursday, hope for the best, because this is a tough Mount Pleasant team. You are as good as your last game but at the end of the day we will see what happens come Thursday,” he surmised.

What is for certain, is that one team will be left very disappointed at the final whistle, at missing out on the final four.