Fast and furious Digicel Cup action is certain to thrill on Sunday as the first leg of the semi-finals battle kick off.
The two matches at the TE McField Annex are between
the two best teams in the Cayman Islands – Scholars International and Elite – who square up in the 5pm game and Roma United and Bodden Town at 7pm. There is plenty of motivation for all.
Al Frederick, Bodden Town’s assistant coach, said: “Coming off a league defeat to Scholars on Sunday we will try to regroup against Roma and catch better form. Roma may have been beaten finalists last year but we were in the Digicel Cup final two years ago and lost to George Town. We want to try to win at least one cup this season and although we cannot afford to underestimate Roma, we are determined to get to the final. Anything can happen in the cup and over two legs, but we’re confident.”
Noresh ‘Chin’ Hart is a utility player with Roma. He said: “We’re confident we can reach the final again and this time win it. We won it in 2008 and want to do it again. Our league form hasn’t been good and we know we have to make a few adjustments. I missed the last game and so did our captain Stammer, but we’ll be back for this one and going all out to win.
“We are getting a few new players to address our league form. Our mindset in the cup is that we will give a strong game.”
Elite are the league leaders but Scholars International are only one point behind. In the two league games between these sides this season they both ended in draws, 0-0 and 2-2. Scholars may not have inspirational skipper Mark Ebanks though who was given a straight red card for a two-footed tackle against Bodden Town on Sunday. Ebanks insists that he only tripped the player and should have got only a yellow. The disciplinary committee will make the decision on Friday.
Greg Ebanks is the Elite technical director. He said: “Scholars are a mature side and I saw them beat Bodden Town on Sunday and they had great composure. Taking that into account we have to prepare to battle hard. Scholars are a good team, scoring well and possibly have the best defence. They’re unbeaten all season and we’ve lost twice so we have to focus on our concentration.
“Coming off the Christmas break I wasn’t satisfied with our level of fitness (even though they beat Future 6-3). We can’t go out there and play an open game, we have to keep it compact.”
Romeo Thomas is a veteran Scholars International defender. He said: “It should be a good game. Elite are the league leaders so you have to give them the edge. We are unbeaten and we want to keep that record. Right now we’re not scoring as we should but at least the team is playing together. Possibly not having Mark Ebanks will be a hindrance.”
Related Videos
