Four-time winners and reigning champion, DirecTV W Connection, will start as favourites to keep hold of its crown when it faces Japs North East Stars in the 2014/2015 T&T Football Federation FA Trophy final at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, from 6 pm today.
The meeting between both clubs will be a repeat of the 2003 final, which the Sangre Grande-based Stars won under the guidance of then coach, Guyana's James Mc Lean.
However, since then Stars has failed to get its hands on the coveted trophy despite reaching the finals in 2006 and 2010/2011 while W Connection, which had previously won in 1999, 2000 and 2002 reclaimed the title in 2013-2014 campaign by beating neighbours Central FC.
So far this season, both clubs have also met three teams in the Digicel T&T Pro League with Stars taking their first match-up 1�0, while W Connection, also FA runners-up in 2003, 2008 and 2009, earning 1�0 and 2�0 victories in the next two, the last of which was on March 10.
Looking ahead to the final, W Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier, who had four of six players called up for national duty against Panama in an international friendly at the same venue on Friday night involved said his team was up for the contest.
"Our players are looking forward and we feel confident that we can defend [the FA Trophy]", said Fevrier. "It's very important because it's the first trophy we won as a club. It is very dear to us. We always want to win it; it has sentimental value to us. We always have new players every year so we always pass that knowledge to them, and I think they too have their own goals of winning it again ...and for some players winning it for the first time."
Despite expressing confidence in his team, Charles-Fevrier was very wary of his opponents, adding, "I expect Stars to be focused. They have shown that they can compete. We are the defending champions and will be seen as favourites because we are also ahead of them in the league, but in the beauty of football even the underdogs have a chance."
Concerning his players on national duty, the long serving coach said, "I've been criticised in past for this, but if players on national duty weren't able to prepare with the team at least two sessions then they can be considered to start. But if they get one session, maybe they can be considered to be used off the bench. I will be selecting my team from the players who were able to prepare for the final."
Stars' coach Angus Eve also had to do without Neveal Hackshaw and Duane James, due to national team duties in his preparations for the final, but the former national captain is of the belief he can help restore glory to the Sangre Grande club and bring pride to club owner/chairman Darryl Mahabir.
"Once you make a final you go in to win the game," said Eve, who will also be attempting to join Charles-Fevrier as a FA Trophy winner as a player and coach.
"The FA Trophy is the first title won by the club (North East Stars) and a trophy the chairman (Darryl Mahabir) is very passionate about. It is also one of the most prestigious titles in world football and we would like to win it again.
"We know W Connection very well and I think that they are one of the best playing teams traditionally," said Eve. "I have a lot of respect for what those guys have been doing at Connection but we are confident because of how we plan to tactically contest the final on Sunday."
However, Eve believes that the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva is "an advantage for W Connection."
The Stars coach stressed, "They train and live there. Their office and staff house are a few minutes away. They have number one dressing room. Their equipment is there. So it's definitely a home advantage. It suits them."