MoBay United, Portmore in giant clash

Montego Bay United (FC) will look to rebound from their second-half horror show against Mount Pleasant Football Academy, but their task will be difficult against defending champions and Concacaf Caribbean Cup finalists Portmore United in the feature Legend Jamaica Premier League (LJPL) football game today. The game will be played at Jarrett Park in St James, beginning at 3 p.m.

It has been multiple matches since both teams last tasted victory. In their last two matches, MoBay United drew and lost. They are currently fourth on 14 points after seven games, while Portmore have played out three successive draws to sit in 10th place on six points, after four matches.

Fuming

Javier Ainstein, the head coach of MoBay United, was fuming on Monday night after seeing his team dominate Mount Pleasant in the first half and take a 1-0 lead, before falling apart and losing 2-1 to a Warner Brown brace.

Ainstein pointed out that they are having difficulty closing out the second half of matches, and said players coming off the bench need to step up.

“We have problems finishing the matches. We have a big number of injured players, and we have problems at the back now,” the Argentine coach admitted.

“I am concerned … we have a lot of players injured, but the team showed me in the first half that, with the players we have, we can win the match.

“I don’t know if the players believe, but I really believe we could win the match with the players we had,” he said about Monday night’s match.

He says that while some key players are out injured, the problems usually start after making substitutions.

Problems

“We have some (players) absent, but the first half (against Mount Pleasant) was really good. But, when some players are tired, we need to change, and I refuse to think we need to play with (only) 11 players. It’s impossible.

“The changes for the other teams are working. Last week against Arnett Gardens and now tonight (Monday) for Tappa (Theodore Whitmore – Mount Pleasant’s coach). I believe we have very good names, good players are coming from the bench, but we are losing matches we have in the pocket,” he lamented.

Portmore United’s head coach, Rodolph Austin, also witnessed his team dominate Chapelton Maroons, but had to settle for a scoreless draw. They also had to share points with Waterhouse and Arnett in previous matches.

Despite his team looking good in possession and creating chances, Austin said all that accounts for nothing if there is no end product.

“Possession does not win you games. What wins you games is putting the ball in the back of the net and stopping it from going into your net,” he argued. “That’s how football is, pure and simple.”

‘Clash of the Gardens’

Meanwhile, at Edward Seaga Sports Complex, perennial rivals Tivoli Gardens FC host Arnett Gardens FC in the ‘Clash of the Gardens’.

Despite two defeats in their last three matches, Tivoli still hold a top-six spot (fifth), while Arnett are three points and three places behind, despite being unbeaten in their last three.

With Andrew Price’s Tivoli playing above expectations and Arnett starting to come into some form, this game should provide some real sparks. However, it could go either way.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Sunday’s Games:

MoBay vs Portmore at Jarrett Park

Tru-Juice vs Chapelton Maroons at Bramwell Clarke Sports Complex

Racing vs Treasure Beach at Ferdi Neita Park at

Tivoli vs Arnett at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 3 p.m.

Dunbeholden vs Humble Lion at Dunbeholden Sports Complex

All matches kick off at 3 p.m.

Monday’s Games:

5:05 p.m. - Molynes vs Mount Pleasant

8 p.m. - Waterhouse vs Cavalier at Drewsland

Both matches will be played at Drewsland Mini Stadium.