OPPOSITES do seem to attract, as recently-crowned Premier League champions Tivoli Gardens will face the relegated St George's SC in the highly-anticipated final of the Flow Champions Cup Knock-out football competition this Sunday at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5:00 pm.
Twenty-six points separated the teams in the premiership, but this is Knock-out football and even if no one else bothers to, the Portland-based St George's will definitely march into the contest full of belief, as they look to round out a generally disappointing year with a historic hold on the All-Island Knock-out crown.
The Geoffrey Maxwell-coached St Georges will be hoping to become the first team from Portland, and in fact the Eastern Confederation, to lift the coveted title — one that would certainly add some gloss to an otherwise miserable season.
Interestingly, the final will be played just three days after the one-year anniversary of St George's last victory over Tivoli Gardens in any competition — a 2-1 triumph at Lynch Park on May 5, 2010, during an unceremonious four-game losing streak by the orange-and-black standard bearers.
League champions or not, it's a result that Maxwell is hoping to replicate and he believes it is definitely possible, once his team approaches the game with the right mentality.
"Though we got relegated from the (Premier) League, the Flow Cup is also a big trophy and the players should have enough motivation," Maxwell said.
"It's all down to the players if they really want to do well. They have to get up and put themselves together. I can only put the tactics in place, but they have to make sure that they are mentally ready for the challenge," said Maxwell.
When asked whether he would have preferred to play Boys' Town — the team that Tivoli Gardens bettered in the semi-final — Maxwell pointed out that he is quite comfortable playing Tivoli Gardens, given their style of play.
"I feel more comfortable playing Tivoli Gardens because they are more technical, they pass and move, while Boys' Town are more direct.
"I'm pretty confident and if we can approach the game in the right condition, anything is possible," Maxwell added.
However, buoyed by their fifth league triumph, Tivoli Gardens are determined to secure their third hold on the KO crown after falling at the final hurdle on two occasions in the last three years.
Tivoli Gardens coach, Alvin Shaw reported that his charges are focused on the task at hand, and removed any suggestion of them possibly taking their opponents lightly. In fact, the West Kingston-based club have postponed all celebrations until after the KO decider.
"It is a tournament that we are taking seriously despite what has happened with St Georges. We won't let our guard down; we will approach the game in a serious manner," said Shaw.
"We are a disciplined team and one of the reasons why we achieve what we have is the discipline that was maintained. They are very focused and we will maintain that," he added.
Winning Team: $1,000,000
Runner-Up Team: $400,000
Red Stripe Star Baller: $300,000
Leading Goal Scorer: $50,000
Winning Coach: $50,000
MVP: $50,000
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Tivoli-await-George-s-in-FLOW-KO_8761216#ixzz1LbG4l7k4
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