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Caribbean Cup offers some consolation for Arnett
June 14, 2023
Arnett Gardens head coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis says although his team missed out on winning the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) title, securing a place in the qualifiers for Concacaf Caribbean Cup offered some consolation to their season.
The 'Junglists' as they are affectionately called, were widely tipped to take home the JPL title but fell to eventual winners Mount Pleasant at the semifinal stage.
However, Davis said despite the team being deflated after that loss, they lifted themselves back up for the third place match against Harbour View, which the won 1-0 courtesy of an own goal by Odorland Harding.
"We wanted to win the title but we still got this spot in Concacaf, which is good for us. It's a plus. The guys really wanted to win to advance to Concacaf competition, so they knew this (third place) game was most important for us in terms of where we want to go," he said.
Arnett Gardens won the hearts of many admirers this season with their traditional slick passing attacking football, and in the third-place match, which preceded the final at Sabina Park, they were all over their opponents Harbour View from the start.
Although they got the winner by virtue of an own goal, Davis said based on the run of play he knew it was only a matter of time before they got the breakthrough.
"We could have scored five goals in the first half but the guys showed character and kept on attacking and it was just a matter of time before the goal came.
"We have done some good work (during the season) and the brand of football that we are playing is a good and we just want to keep building on that," he added.
Arnett Gardens finished atop the regular season standings and some football pundits argued that the team topping the league should be guaranteed a place in Concacaf but Davis insisted they knew what was required to get there.
"This is football and we know what's required so we will not find no excuses," he stated.
Arnett Gardens are not due to take part in the regional tournament until next year and Davis said they will take the time to plan their way forward.
"Now is the time for the guys to rest and recuperate. We will let them rest, then we will sit in the boardroom and look at where we want to go," Davis said.
