Central FC and Defence Force will start favourites to reach the semifinal when the fifth edition of the T&T Pro League Lucozade Sports Goal Shield kicks off with a quarterfinal double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, from 6 pm today.
In the opener, Central FC will come up against 2012 winners and last year's semifinalist Caledonia and two hours later, Defence Force battles Pt Fortin Civic FC.
Only on Tuesday night, Pt Fortin looked on course to end a two-match losing streak against the "Teteron Boys" with a 2-0 lead, only for the Ross Russell-coached reigning Pro League champions to hit back with three goals in 13 minutes to snatch victory.
The Army/Coast-Guard combination also won their two other encounters, 3-1 and 1-0 and speaking on Wednesday, Russell noted that his team had not won any trophies this season and with his players riding a wave of confidence, that could well change.
Terry Fenwick and his Central "Sharks" have been idle for the past ten days since a 2-0 win over Pt Fortin in the league and should be well rested for tonight's meeting with rival Jamaal Shabazz and his Caledonia AIA squad which is coming off a 2-1 come-from-behind league win over Police on Tuesday.
Two league meetings have ended 0-0 and 1-1, meaning both will have to change their style or be more efficient with their chances in front of goal for their desired outcome.
Tomorrow, defending champions W Connection start its quest for a third crown against the winner of yesterday's lone round-of-16 playoff between San Juan Jabloteh and St Ann's Rangers, which Jabloteh won 2-0.
And in the other match, 2010 champions and last year's runner-up North East Stars comes up against a resurgent Police FC, from 7 pm.
Results
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Janup Rochford 5th, Micah lewis 65th) vs St. Ann's Rangers 0
fixtures
Quarter Final Round
Today
Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs Caledonia AIA (B)–6 pm
Point Fortin Civic vs Defence Force (D)–8 pm
Tomorrow
Ato Boldon Stadium
W Connection vs Jabloteh/St Ann's Rangers winner (A)–5 pm
North East Stars vs Police FC (C)–7 pm
Semi-Final Round
April 11
Ato Boldon Stadium
Winner A vs Winner D
Winner B vs Winner C
Final
April 25
Ato Boldon Stadium