Tivoli, Cavalier in tough JPL battle

by

Livingston Scott - STAR Writer

December 21, 2023

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Jerome Waite

Rudolph Speid

Tivoli Gardens coach Jerome Waite hopes they can keep pace with the leaders of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) but expects a difficult afternoon when they take on Cavalier at the Anthony Spaulding Complex today at 3 p.m.

The West Kingston standard-bearers are third in the JPL standings with 17 points, one behind second-place Arnett Gardens and two adrift of leaders Mount Pleasant Football Academy.

Tivoli are now unbeaten in their last four matches with two wins and two draws, and although Cavalier have not hit their strides convincingly, Waite expects a tough challenge.

"At all times, you want to ensure that your team stays with the front-runners, and it is a good time to ensure that we continue to do well in this game.

"It will be a tough game. Cavalier have done well in the Concacaf Caribbean Championship. They have been doing well, so it is surprising that they are struggling in some local games," Waite said.

Nevertheless, he knows his opponents' quality and will not take them for granted.

"It will be a tough game. Cavalier is a good unit. They have defeated the (previously unbeaten) defending champions (Mount Pleasant), despite their hiccup in the last game. It's a good unit, and you cannot underestimate them," he declared.

Cavalier, despite not getting the results they expect, have only lost twice this season, and their defeat to Portmore last weekend was their first in six matches.

However, they are sitting outside the top six in eighth position, on 11 points, and have ground to make up on their opponents, who are six points ahead.

Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid said they are having a Jekyll and Hyde season and is uncertain which will turn up today.

"We are hot and cold, so I don't know which Cavalier will turn up. We still have some injuries and haven't gotten back all our players, but we will give a good account of ourselves as best as we can. We have dropped out of the playoff spots and will have to win to get back in there, but I don't know which team will turn up.

"The last game, we missed two penalties against Portmore, so it's hard to explain what is happening," he insisted.

Like his counterpart, Speid anticipates a difficult afternoon.

"Tivoli are doing really well. They look competent under new coach Jerome Waite, who is always a formidable coach in the JPL so it will be a tough one," he said.