After?clinching two consecutive Digicel Premier League titles, Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP) will be on a mission tonight to show all and sundry that they are the undisputed kings of football in the island.
The Mario Harte-led unit will face off against Weymouth Wales in the final of the KFC Champions Cup at the National Stadium to bring the curtain down on an exciting 2014 football season.
Wales will want to put a spoke between the soldiers and their quest to become double crown champions and reap some silverware after finishing fourth in the Premiership.
BDFSP hit rich form in the latter part of the season and racked up some hefty wins, including a 4-0 drubbing over Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame in the semi-finals.
Wales’ season lacked consistency, evident by their placing in the league. However they have been industrious and diligent in their performances during the Cup competition and they have justly earned the right to be in the final.
For BDFSP to be successful tonight, Harte must be the centre of it all. His 23 league goals were a major factor in BDFSP reclaiming the title. He has been well assisted in the offensive domain by fellow forwards Shaquille Stewart and Jamal Chandler, as well as roaming midfielders Raheim Sargeant and Romario Harewood.
Wales defeated their opponents in their last outing and will be expecting to repeat. Two goals by teenager Jadai Clarke, who has been given the responsibility of leading their attack in recent times, were responsible for defeating the soldiers.
Carl Joseph, Tristan Parris and Kemar Headley have all chipped in with some crucial performances throughout the season and their collective efforts will be needed to defeat a team that is oozing with confidence.
Whichever defence can contain the array of attacking power on the pitch should prevail. Wales’ centre back pairing of Julian Mottley and Shawn Clarke is quite seasoned and are very compatible while BDFSP’s preferred partnership of Ricardio Morris and Zico Phillips has sometimes been a bit suspect but efficient enough to contain their opponents.
At 5:30 p.m. what was once a yearly final between Notre Dame and Direct TV Paradise will be contested as a third place play-off between two of the most decorated teams in this competition.
Teams for final:
BDFSP: Mario Harte (captain), Dario Weir, Saheka Duke, Ricardio Morris, Zico Phillips, Baggio Harewood, Akeem Browne, Paul Alexander, Kemar Chase, Raheim Sargeant, Romario Harewood, Tramane Cobham, Rashad Jules, Shamar Edwards, Mario Williams, Chai Lloyd, Shaquille Stewart, Kyle Gibson.
WALES: Julian Mottley (captain), Shawn Clarke, Jamar Walters, Corey McCollin, Anderson Granum, Richard Maynard, Kemar Bartlett, Shane Clarke, Jabar Greene, Carl Joseph, Duwayne Peters, Lennie Regis, Antonio Thomas, Tristan Parris, Kemar Headley, Anthony Forde, Jadai Clarke, Aqiyl Cumberbatch, Bentley Springer, Jason Layne.
