Central FC director of operations, Kevin Harrison, says the team’s new playing system under interim coach Dale Saunders is behind its 11-match unbeaten run of the reigning Digicel T&T Pro League champions and current table leaders.
The “Couva Sharks” as Central FC are known are unbeaten since sacking former Defence Force coach and national goalkeepert Ross Russell as coach in mid-December and installing then assistant coach Saunders as interim coach, while managing director Brent Sancho and his T&T 2006 World Cup team-mate Stern John serves as assistant coaches.
Since the technical staff changes Central FC has gone on an excellent run of form which has reached a new high, five points clear of Defence Force at the top of the Pro League standings, and retaining the Round Two Akeem Adams Trophy, after defeating cellar-placed St Ann’s Rangers 3-1 on Saturday at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on Saturday.
In-form Marcus Joseph and former national Under-20 standout Kadeem Corbin both scored in the second half to seal Central’s fifth consecutive win after new Rangers’ signing Johan Peltier had made it 1-1 on 28 minutes following Leston Paul’s opening item in the 15th minute.
The victory improved Central FC to 40 points, while Defence Force is next with 36 points after beating Morvant Caledonia United 2-1 on Sunday at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella
A further point back is W Connection, who were defeated 2-0 by Club Sando simultaneously at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, on Saturday and missed out on claiming the Round Two trophy and $35,000 that goes with.
The Akeem Adams Trophy was awarded to the team with the highest points tally from Round Two in the league and Central FC ended with 20, while W Connection tallied 19.
Defence Force won the Round One Rawle Fletcher title while the Kevon Carter Round Three title won by Central FC last year as well begins with the start of the next round of matches.
Commenting on the team’s run of form under Saunders, Harrison boasted, “In open play it’s really hard to beat us unless there is a lack in concentration. And while people may think it’s not the best squad we have, it’s the best system that we have played since the club was formed.
“The concept of our performances are based on high intensity play, and closing down the opponents quickly. We aspire towards the system of Bayern Munich.”
The T&T club, which will be wirthout national midfielder Ataulla Guerra who is on trials in the USA will journey to Jamaica to contest its three-team Group Three series against host Montego Bay United and Scholars International SC of Cayman Islands at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, Montego Bay, from March 9 to 13 at the end of which only the top team advances to the semifinals.
fixtures:
CFU Club Championship
Group 3
Venue: Montego Bay Sports Complex, Montego Bay, Jamaica
March 9:
Montego Bay United vs Scholars International SC
March 11:
Central FC vs Scholars International SC
March 13:
Montego Bay United vs Central FC