Both two-time winners San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force will renew their tournament rivalry in a First Citizens Cup qualifying play-off at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, from 6 pm tonight.
Fourteen years after meeting in the final of the inaugural First Citizens Cup in 2000, known then as the League Cup, both will now go after a spot in Friday's quarter-final against record six-time winner DirecTV W Connection at a venue to be determined.
Back in 2000–one year before the acquisition of title sponsors First Citizens–Jabloteh lifted the inaugural crown after beating the "Teteron Boys" 1-0 and followed up in 2003 with a win over W Connection for its second title, while its last appearance in the decider came in 2005, in a loss to W Connection as well, record winners in (2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).
Defence Force, meanwhile, are seven-time finalists winning the title in 2002 and again in 2009–the debuting season of present head coach Ross Russell.
"This (First Citizens Cup competition) is one we hold dear to us," said Defence Force assistant coach Marvin Gordon.
Gordon was a playing member of the Defence Force team that won the title in 2002 and debuted as assistant coach of the professional team alongside Russell when they won the title in 2009.
"It's a title we will go all out to win," Gordon said. "We are on the hard side of the draw having to play in the play-off for a quarter-final spot but we welcome it anyway."
Gordon said the Army/Coast Guard combination also has "a number of scores to settle against Jabloteh.
"We have a number of scores to settle with Jabloteh, especially from last season when they denied us a qualifying spot towards the Concacaf Champions League.
"We also have scores to settle from past seasons, when they were at the top of their game and embarrassed the Defence Force. So the 2000 title isn't the only score to settle on our minds."
Expected to lead the attack for Defence Force is striker Devorn Jorsling, who is coming off a hat-trick scored against Police FC in a 4-2 league win, following a 1-0 win over North East Stars to sit at the top of the league with maximum six points.
Two points off the pace is Jabloteh which played to a goalless draw against Police in their first match and edged St Ann's Ranges 1-0 in the second.
On Friday, when the tournament continues, Central FC will kick off defence of its title, one of two trophies captured in the 2013/2014 season against Pt Fortin Civic.
Last year, the "Sharks," as Central FC are called, edged out Defence Force 2-1 in the tournament decider at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. It was the second straight finals loss for the "Teteron Boys" who went under by the same score to Caledonia in the 2012 final, as well as a penalty-kicks defeat at the hand of the now defunct Joe Public in 2010.
First Citizens Cup
Qualifier:
Today
Defence Force vs San Juan Jabloteh, Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, 6 pm?