Former winner, Adams' Construction San Juan Jabloteh and last year's runner-up DirecTV North East Stars will be two of four Digicel T&T Pro League clubs in action when the seventh edition of the Toyota Classic gets going today with six matches.This year's tournament which carries a total prize package of $60,000 will feature 14 teams, six of which comprise the Pro League and eight from the bmobile National Super League (NSL).However, by virtue of being the top two clubs in the Pro League, table-topper and Pro League newcomer, T&TEC as well as inaugural winner of the Toyota Classic in 2005, W Connection have both been handed byes into the quarterfinal round.
In addition, Ma Pau which defeated North East Stars 4-2 on penalty-kicks after a 1-1 draw in last year's decider and 2007 and 2009 champion, bmobile Joe Public have opted out of the league.In the latter's absence, it will be represented by its recently crowned bmobile National Super League double crown winning team.But today, all attention will be focused on the Pro League quartet of Jabloteh, North East Stars, St Ann's Rangers and Caledonia AIA, all of which will be hard hit by the absence of players due to national Under-23 team duties at the Caribbean Football Union Olympic (Under-23) qualifiers in St Kitts/Nevis.At the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Jabloteh which has endured a mix start to its league campaign, under first year coach, Earl "Spiderman" Carter and was beaten in the First Citizens Cup semifinal faces Real Maracas from 7 pm without Under-23 duo, Sheldon Bateau and Leslie Joel Russell.
Two hours earlier at the same venue, the "Eastern Lions" tangle with 1976 FC Phoenix.Down South, at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, action kicks off one hour later with 2006 and 2008 runner-up, St Ann's Rangers, which will be without Kareem Moses meeting Eagles while Caledonia AIA, winner of the First Citizens Cup already this season takes on Club Sando.However, Caledonia will do so with the Under-23 quintet of Jamaal Gay, Trevin Ceasar, Aquil Selby, Micah Lewis and Nuru Abdullah Muhammad.In the East at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar WASA and Stokely Vale clash in an all-Super League match-up from 5 pm and two hours later, North East Stars minus midfielder Jeromie Williams play West Side Super Starzs.Entrance fee is $30 for all matches, except for the final on December 9 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, which will cost $40 for attendance.
SchedulePreliminary Round
TODAY
Venue: Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo
Joe Public v Phoenix, 5 pm
San Juan Jabloteh v Real Maracas, 7 pm
Venue: Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella
St Ann's Rangers v Eagles, 6 pm
Caledonia AIA v Club Sando, 8 pm
Venue: Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar
WASA v Stokely Vale, 5 pm
N E Stars v West Side,7 pm
Quarterfinals
Friday November 25:
Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella
Saturday November 26:
Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar
Semifinals:
Friday December 2:
Final
Friday December 9: