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Tivoli, Waterhouse in quarter-final showdown
April 29, 2024
It's all to play for when crosstown rivals Tivoli Gardens and Waterhouse square off in the second leg of their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) quarter-final at Sabina Park at 8 this evening.
Both teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the first leg, but after losing twice to Tivoli earlier in the season, Waterhouse coach Marcel Gayle thought it was an improved display in the first leg, and fancies upsetting their more favoured opponents.
"Two good teams went out (first leg) and left it all on the pitch. Kudos to my team. I thought we stuck to the objectives. Unfortunately, in the latter part of the game, we lost control and gave up a soft goal.
"If you follow the consistency, we have lost two games (to Tivoli), but we scored a goal against them, and we kept them much lower on the scoring, so that is an improvement for us and we can get better going forward," Gayle said.
HEART
Gayle argues that with a bit more heart and belief, Waterhouse can score more goals and come away victorious, nevertheless, he remains wary of his opponents' danger.
"I thought we could have been braver when we got Tivoli on the counter, but we were a little laid back. Had we been a bit braver, we could have scored more goals.
"Nevertheless, we have the next leg to turn the tie around, but we know Tivoli is a quality team and if you allow them to play, like we did in the second half, they will hurt us," he said.
Tivoli coach Jerome Waite thought jitters played a part in their below-par first-half showing last week, however, he promised there will be changes and that they will be stronger from the start in the second leg.
"This is a team that was not doing well last season. The fact that they reached the quarter-finals speaks volumes.
"This is something they are looking forward to, but they are human beings, and they can be nervous, but the longer the game went on they came into their own, especially in the second half," he noted.
ADJUSTMENTS
He maintained that they have worked over the past week and adjustments will be made.
"It will not be the same team that started the game. I will make adjustments. The team is looking forward to the game. They know what it means and what is at hand. I expect a good game. Waterhouse have turned up for the party and it's not a walkover," Waite said.
Nevertheless, he said they will be more prepared from the start this time.
"We will be a stronger unit. We will play with more purpose and apply ourselves accordingly," he said.
In the first quarter-final at 5 p.m., Portmore take on Arnett Gardens, with both teams also tied 1-1.
