Anything apart from a loss will suffice for the "Sharks" today as Central FC seek to claim their first ever Pro League crown in a rescheduled season-closing clash with North East Stars, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva from 8 pm.Heading into their final match, Central are on 52 points, six ahead of W Connection, who have two matches remaining.
Even a loss will unlikely see coach Terry Fenwick's Central lose the title race given their far superior goal-difference of 16 goals over Connection.Connection stands on 46 points and will play one of their two remaining fixtures today at the same venue prior to the Central match. The "Savonetta Boys" will meet seventh-placed Police FC at 6 pm. W Connection must win big today and must win big again in the final match on Saturday against San Juan Jabloteh, and will need Central to lose heavily today to help their cause.
However, momentum favours Central FC in today's closing double-header match. The Sharks are off a 5-2 win over Point Fortin Civic on Friday, recorded with a complete team performance. Jamal Jack, Kaydion Gabriel, Willis Plaza, Dwight Quintero and national team standout midfielder Ataulla Guerra were all on target. Guerra has been on fire for Central. He is the league's third highest goal scorer with 14 and has 19 in all competitions.
Central would have won the championship that night, but for a 2-1 victory for W Connection over Caledonia AIA.Preceding their win on Friday, Central FC made big strides in regional football, securing a spot in the semifinal of their maiden CFU Club Championship challenge, after winning both group matches in Guyana.
Before today, Central met North East Stars in league competition twice already this season. The opening match resulted in a 1-1 draw, before Central dominated the second with a 3-0 win.The Sharks joined the Pro League in the 2012-2013 season and the odds are not stacked completely in their favour to seal their first league crown.
Fixtures
Today
�2 W Connection v Police FC, Ato Boldon Stadium, 6 pm
�2 Central FC v North East Stars, Ato Boldon Stadium, 8 pm
Friday
�2 Defence Force v St Ann's Rangers, 6 pm
�2 San Juan Jabloteh v W Connection, 8 pm
Saturday
�2 Point Fortin Civic FC v Police FC, 6 pm
�2 North East Stars v Caledonia AIA, 8 pm
Standings
Teams Pld W D L F A Pts
Central FC 23 16 4 3 61 18 52
W Connection 22 14 4 4 43 16 46
Defence Force 23 12 3 8 45 29 39
Point Fortin Civic 23 10 3 10 45 40 33
N/E Stars 22 9 6 7 23 22 33
Jabloteh 23 7 7 9 30 39 28
Police FC 22 7 6 9 31 44 27
Caledonia AIA 23 7 5 11 30 42 26
Rangers 23 0 2 21 19 77 2
Leading goal scorers
�2 Devorn Jorsling (Def For) - 20
�2 Marcus Joseph (P/F Civic) - 15
�2 Ataulla Guerra (Central) - 14
�2 Purnell Schultz (Cal AIA) - 12
�2 Jerrel Britto (W Con) - 12
�2 Marvin Oliver (Central) - 9
�2 Kerry Baptiste (Jabloteh) - 9
�2 Willis Plaza (Central) - 9
�2 Jamille Boatswain (P/F Civic) - 8
�2 Richard Roy (Def For) - 7
�2 Hashim Arcia (W Con) - 7