4 weeks ago
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IF ARNETT Gardens are to advance to the next round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield competition, they will need another dominant performance against Trinidad and Tobago’s AC Port of Spain today, as only the group winners will advance to the knockout rounds.
Arnett kick-started their bid for back-to-back Shield titles with a 4-0 win over Dublanc FC of Dominica on Sunday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
A brace from Shai Smith and strikes from Giovanni Taylor and Chantamoi Taylor led the way for the ‘Junglists’, but the result still left them second in Group D.
Club Fransicain of Martinique lead the group after winning their opening game against Doc’s United of Anguilla, 6-1.
Head coach Phillip Williams, while pleased with the three points, felt his players squandered several opportunities in front of goal.
“A win is a win,” he said.
“In terms of the performance, it was a complete performance. We created the chances, we created the moments, but it’s about taking our chances or converting all the chances that we got.”
Williams’ comments come as he is keenly aware of his team’s precarious position in the group, despite dominating Dublanc in their opening game.
With today’s fixture against Port of Spain, a second successive win might not be enough for Arnett to advance, as they will need to outperform Club Franciscain.
Should Arnett fail to better Club Franciscain’s goal difference, they will be eliminated from the competition due to this year’s new format.
The Club Shield is using the Swiss-style model for the group phase, which brings a new dimension to each team’s qualification ambitions.
The Swiss-style model means despite being drawn in a group of six teams, Arnett will only play two matches in the first round, which will be used to determine their final group positions.
To advance, Arnett will need to defeat Port of Spain, while hoping Club Franciscain either drops points in their match against Scholars International or produce a win that leads to an inferior goal difference.
Club Franciscain will not be Arnett’s only challenge in their race for group honours, as they will also be wary of their opponents, Port of Spain.
The Trinidadian club are third in the group standings following a 2-1 win over Scholars International in their previous game.
Should Arnett face defeat, then Port of Spain stand a chance of taking the top spot in the group, but will be relying on favourable results in Club Franciscain’s fixture.
Arnett will take on Port of Spain at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, while Club Franciscain will face Scholars International in their fixture at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Also in the group, in a match of academic interest, Doc’s United will face Dublanc at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
All games will be played at 1 p.m. Jamaica time.
Today’s games: (1 p.m. Jamaica time)
Arnett vs Port of Spain at Hasely Crawford Stadium
Club Franciscain vs Scholars International at Ato Boldon Stadium
Dublanc vs Doc’s United at Larry Gomes Stadium
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