It’s not always you see a team new to professional football moving all the way to the top in its first try at a competition at the higher level. But Cunupia FC have been a team with a difference and coach Michael De Four believes their modern style of football will take them far.
After going four games unbeaten, the Central giants have now surged to the top of the Immortelle Group of the First Citizens Cup following a convincing 3-0 victory over 1976 Tobago Phoenix at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima, on Sunday.
An own goal from Le Jandro in the 21st minute sent them off to a 1-0 advantage before ace goalscorer Kevon Woodley (39th) and Dwane James (94th) sealed the win that sent them to eight points and the top of the group.
And with one more round of matches to go in the group, the Cunupia men look certain to be among the top two teams progressing to the semifinals of the tournament. In their last match, Cunupia FC will face second-placed Club Sando needing just a point.
Also Saturday, Police FC cruised to second in the Abercrombie Group with seven points after hammering Point Fortin Civic 5-0. The group is being led by Terminix La Horquetta Rangers.
The Lawmen got items from Jameel Perry, Jabari Mitchell, Kieron Wilson, Christian Thomas and Kenaz Williams in their victory.
Yesterday, Cunupia FC coach Michael De Four said he didn’t expect to be at the top of the group with one game to go.
“I believe we can get a result from our last match but in our first try at Pro League football in T&T, I thought the strength of the Pro League clubs would have made it harder for us. After all, we only have about three players on our roster with Pro League experience. All the other players have played either at the regional FA level or at minor league,” De Four told Guardian Media Sports.
He added, “This is unless the Pro League clubs have not come up to scratch with the modern-day professional approach.”
De Four credited his staff for the work done with his team to date, saying “It’s either we are performing miracles with the quality we have, or the rest of the Pro League teams are behind on the modern-day football required.”
Ironically, Cunupia is the only unsponsored team in the tournament and De Four is hoping that his quality will woo sponsors to support them.
To date, the club has made a few historic strides, including winning their first game among Pro League clubs and going unbeaten in four games, as well as qualifying for the second round, all of which De Four says are tremendous achievements.
Weekend’s results:
Friday
SAN JUAN JABLOTEH 2 (Kendall Hitlal 39th, Shakeil John 69th) v AC PORT-OF-SPAIN 2 (Sedale McLean 14th, Kordell Samuel 20th)
LA HORQUETTA RANGERS 4 (Isaiah Lee 45th, Kadeem Corbin 46th & 62nd, Jamaal Crieghton 80th) v DEFENCE FORCE 1 (Devorn Jorsling 83rd)
Saturday
POLICE FC 5 (Jameel Perry, Jabari Mitchell, Kieron Wilson, Christian Thomas, Kenaz Williams) v POINT FORTIN CIVIC 0
Sunday
CUNUPIA FC 3 (OG 21st, Kevon Woodley 39th PEN, Dwane James 90+4) v 1976 TOBAGO PHOENIX FC 0
CURRENT STANDINGS
ABERCROMBIE GROUP
Teams P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1. La Horquetta Rangers 4 4 0 0 12 3 9 12
2. Police FC 4 2 1 1 8 3 5 7
3. W Connection FC 3 1 1 1 5 4 1 4
4. Central FC 3 1 1 1 4 3 1 4
5. Defence Force FC 4 1 1 2 4 7 -3 4
6. Point Fortin Civic FC 4 0 0 3 2 10 -8 0
IMMORTELLE GROUP
Teams P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1. Cunupia FC 4 2 2 0 6 2 4 8
2. San Juan Jabloteh 4 1 2 1 9 7 2 5
3. Club Sando 3 1 2 0 4 3 1 5
4. AC Port-of-Spain 4 0 4 0 5 5 0 4
5. Morvant/Caledonia United 3 0 2 1 4 5 -1 2
6. Tobago Phoenix 4 0 2 2 2 8 -6 2