1 week ago
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TIVOLI COACH Jerome Waite credited his team for another defensive masterclass after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Arnett Gardens in the Jamaica Premier League on Monday.
Tivoli have played three of the toughest teams in the league in their last three matches, including Mount Pleasant and Cavalier and have drawn all three, conceding just once, against Cavalier. On Monday night, the veteran tactician praised his rearguard for a near-perfect display.
“It wasn’t an easy game. Both teams came here with a purpose. As you know, this is the biggest local derby. A game of this magnitude will bring the best out of both teams.
“When you assess the game overall, we created so many chances but we failed to execute. Outside of that it was a very physical game, and one of my players, Shaquille Jones, suffered a concussion and is at hospital,” he said.
“But the key aspect was to keep a clean sheet, despite not scoring. It was a good showing all round from the team. We defended stoutly and defended as a unit. We trusted each other, and the only weak point was not executing.
“Arnett has more attacking players than any other club and you have to nullify them. If you allow them to play, they will hurt you. Today (Monday), they weren’t given that opportunity. And that is how well the defensive unit played.”
He noted also, “The last three games, [have been] three of the top teams, including the defending champions, we have played. So it wasn’t a walkover, as those teams give up less goals. But the overall performance of the team and the progress they have made in the last seven or eight games speaks volumes,” he added.
Arnett were the better team in the first half and had good opportunities through Warner Brown, Fabian Reid and a rasping shot from Shai Smith that just skimmed the crossbar.
However, it was Tivoli who had the better openings after the break, with Rodico Wellington putting a simple chance wide from 12 yards.
Wellington also came inches away from giving Tivoli the lead moments later, but his free kick smashed against the base of the post and went out.
Former Arnett player Alton Lewis was also inches away from putting Tivoli ahead near the end, but he just missed getting a touch on a header and crashed into the post and had to get medical attention.
Arnett Gardens assistant coach Fabian Taylor was displeased with the result and believed they let Tivoli back into the match during the second half.
“I am a bit upset we didn’t win the game. Nevertheless, we stuck to the task. It was a game of two halves. I think we dominated the first half and should have scored. We let Tivoli back into the game and they had the better of the second half. But we are grateful for the point, and we move on from here,” he said.
Arnett stayed third, two points behind second-placed Montego Bay United on 69 points. Mount Pleasant lead with 75 points. Tivoli also moved within one point off sixth-placed Waterhouse, who are on 49 and have the same number of points as eighth-placed Racing United.
With three games to go and with all the teams jostling to secure their places in the league, Taylor said it is going to be a dogfight from here on.
“It is a dogfight going into the last four to five games. But we are up to the task. We didn’t come away with the victory, but nevertheless, it’s a work in progress. We are still looking to improve going into the play-offs and can only get better.
“Second half, we showed them too much respect. They took over the game and we tried to play on the counter, but it didn’t work. But our defenders stuck to the task and we came away with a point.
“We have a confident bunch. We will keep working hard each day to keep improving going into the play-offs,” he stated.
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