Group A was considered the “group of death” when the teams were finally placed in their respective groups for the LIME Pelican Football Challenge. So it’s no surprise that all of tonight’s semi-finalists are from the same zone.
Action kicks off at the National Stadium at 6:30 p.m. when Barbados Steelworks Esso Oistins Top Bay Settlers clash with LG Kick Strike Force. This game will be followed by another mouth-watering clash, as T.S. Strikers seek to stop 2011 champions Bajan Pride from making their second final appearance in three years.
Strike Force have a score to settle with Top Bay. Earlier in the preliminary round Top Bay showed guts and character to come from a goal down and defeat Strike Force 3-2.
Top Bay’s performances since that early game have got progressively better, with Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP) midfielder Raheim Sargeant leading from the front, racking up the goals and also chipping in with some valuable assists.
Sargeant will be counting on the experience of Kent Hall and the combat force of either Gregg Mandeville or Brian Gay in what is expected to be a very gruelling midfield battle.
Top Bay’s last-game hero Henderson Richards will be hoping to continue in the form which gained him a hat-trick in the quarter-finals. Whether he starts alongside the dangerous Mustafa Haqq or seasoned Edwin Brerton is anyone’s guess but one knows for sure he will feature in this clash.
The previous game against Scotty’s Tech 4 Less Combined Stars revealed some defensive frailties of the Dover-based squad and they would be depending on the experience of Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge to direct captain Ricardio Morris, Tito Beckles and Paul Straughn.
Strike Force will be making their first appearance at this stage and there will be high expectations, especially after defeating tournament favourites Emmerson Boyce Fifth Avenue Fashion Bajan Elite 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
The Randolph Cox-coached team have displayed attributes that makes them title contenders, and their confidence could be boosted now that front men Dwayne Mars and Diquan have finally got on the scoresheet.
The unsung hero for Strike Force has actually been the defence. Playing in his first season with Strike Force, John Straker has led impressively from the back, and struck a harmonious partnership with Kimoi Seale and his Notre Dame team mates, Rudy Grosvenor and Aaron Leacock.
Tremaine Cobham is the livewire in midfield and the marshal of the team. His passing, ball-handling and positioning has made him stand out as one of the key figures in this campaign.
T.S. Strikers possess a front line of terror and their capabilities are quite known to Bajan Pride who suffered a 4-1 drubbing during the group stage.
Despite winning just 2-1 in their quarter-final match, they squandered at least five chances; something they cannot do against Bajan Pride, who have probably the most clinical forward in tournament debutant Jomo Harewood.
Harewood has taken the tournament by storm, scoring a competition leading seven mostly classy goals so far. Most notable of recent has been his partnership with St Kitts and Nevis international Imron Ponteen, who has scored in his last two games.
Their midfield has been boosted by the return of talisman Jabarr “Buggy” Greene.
Jamal and Jabarry Chandler, two of the most skilful and talented players in Barbados have led literally from the front for T.S. Strikers. Either one or both has scored in each game, a statistic Bajan Pride will be mindful of.
Their movement off the ball is unmatched and their one-on-one ability seems unstoppable. (ROG)
