… but Devcon Victoria Kings have other ideas to reach final

FRUTA Conquerors FC are aiming to erase last Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Army when they confront Devcon Victoria Kings this evening, to decide who will be the other finalists in the Elite League Leaders’ grand finale set for this Sunday at Camp Ayanganna, GDF’s headquarters.

The Tucville-based unit get a second opportunity to qualify for the Championship game which has a winners’ prize worth $1.5M, but the home side are determined to be the Army’s opponents at the ‘Big Dance’.
Both sides will have to improve on their performances of last Sunday, though the Kings’ confidence will be boosted playing at home and coming into the game with a 1-0 win over Buxton United.
The visitors will welcome the return of head coach, Sampson Gilbert and National U-17 players; Jermey Garrett, Reshawn Ritch, Nicholas McArthur and Cecil Jackman who were on national duties in Martinique.
Coach Gilbert told Chronicle Sport that the team confidence is high going into the game which he expects to be tough, “There is great enthusiasm among the players and we expect to win. We also expect this game to be more competitive and aggressive than the loss to the Army and they will also have the home advantage and crowd support so we have to be prepared.”
“From the report I got on the defeat it was a general lack of discipline of the players which caused us to surrender the lead and lose the game. Players relinquished their roles and this is cause for concern. Our mobility in midfield and our finishing are also main areas of concern. It is a work in progress in building the right chemistry and we are getting there,” Gilbert explained.
When questioned on possible changes to the starting line-up Gilbert indicated that his focus is more on the ‘tactical plan’ and “whatever changes will be needed will be made”.
Under new head coach Denzil Thompson, the Kings looked ordinary in their triumph over Buxton and today they will have to play far better if they hope to get past the team they held to a score-less draw in the first round of the Elite League.
“The performance of the team wasn’t bad neither were they at their best and this is understandable having had limited preparations. The win certainly has boosted the morale and confidence of the team, and add to that the fact that we are playing at home.
“In football, playing at home is always an advantage. I have seen more togetherness and commitment since my first official game in charge and come tonight we’ll be ready for whatever Conquerors have to offer,” the former national goalkeeper stated.
Thompson hinted that there may be changes to the starting XI that played the opening game after the technical staff sit to select the team for tonight’s encounter set to kick-off at 19:00hrs.
Meanwhile, there will be semifinal action in the inaugural Women’s Development League preceding tonight’s feature game.
At 16:00hrs Paiwomak tackle Fruta Conquerors followed by St Ignatius versus the GDF. The winners will meet in Sunday’s final prior to the Elite League Leaders’ final.