Fresh from capturing a record fifth Digicel T&T Pro League crown and record $1 million prize money, DirecTV W Connection will go in search of an historic fifth title when it starts defence of its winner-take-all $100,000 Digicel Pro Bowl title in the feature match of a double-header against Caledonia AIA at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 8pm tonight.
Last year, the "Savonetta Boys" who have also won the Digicel Charity Shield, Toyota Classic and T&T Football Association FA Trophy, won the Pro Bowl title via a 4-3 penalty-kicks win over North East Stars, to add to its previous triumphs in 2004 and 2007 while it was also runner-up in 2005, 2006 and 2011.
The meeting between W Connection and Caledonia which was determined via a random draw yesterday will be a repeat of last-year's quarterfinal, which W Connection won 3-1. Speaking at the launch of the tournament at the President's Box, Queen's Park Oval, yesterday, W Connection midfielder and former national captain, Silvio Spann warned all opposing clubs his team was still hungry for more success.
Spann said: "We have won four titles already and in this Pro Bowl competition we intend to take it one match at a time. We have a lot of respect for our opponents, but at the same time we are also on a confidence high and want to continue winning."
Two hours earlier, San Juan Jabloteh will lock horns with Police for a place in the semifinals carded for Friday May 16 at Couva.
A quarterfinal double-header is also carded for Couva with league debutants, Pt Fortin Civic meeting 2012 winner Defence Force and last year's semifinalists, from 6pm followed by North East Stars and Central FC two hours later, in a repeat of their semifinal meeting last year which Stars won 5-3 on penalty-kicks after a 1-1 draw.
Commenting on the draw, Defence Force coach, Ross Russell said his team had not won any major trophy for the season and while he will love to put his hands on the Pro Bowl a second time, he will be focussing on rebuilding the team with the inclusion of more youth players.
"We all want to win, but we feel its time that we give some of the younger players a chance to showcase themselves as we look ahead.
Former England international defender Terry Fenwick and his Central "Sharks," now in their second season have captured the two other major trophies, the First Citizens Cup and most recently, the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield and he too has expressed confidence that his team could another trophy to his coffers.
Fenwick, formerly of Jabloteh said he is expecting yet another tough battle with Stars coached by his former assistant but was adamant his team will get to the final.
fixtures:
today
Venue: Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
San Juan Jabloteh vs Police,6 pm � (B)
Caledonia AIA vs W Connection, 8 pm - (A)
Venue: Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
Pt Fortin Civic vs Defence Force, 6 pm - (C)
North East Stars vs Central FC, 8 pm - (D)
Semifinals
May 16
Venue: Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
A vs D, 6pm
B vs C, 8pm
Final
May 23
Venue: Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya