Can the?beleaguered Milan footballers tame the dangerous Wales?
This question will be answered tonight when high-flyers and table leaders ICE Wales face off against defending champions Meridian Castrol Youth Milan in the Digicel Premier League at the National Stadium.
The town-versus-country encounter will kick off at 6 p.m., sandwiched between the opening game between Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame and Pinelands at 4 p.m. and the nightcap between neighbours Mackeson Brittons Hill and KDJ Auto Parts/Gatorade Dayrell’s Road at 8 p.m.
Perennial champions Dames will be looking to bounce back from their midweek loss against Paradise, while Pinelands, who have regressed since their opening encounter, will need to pull their socks up against a youthful Dames attack.
Defensive pair Omar Primus and Jarvis Forde are expected to have their hands full with the pace of Dwayne Mars, Diquan Adamson, Carl Joseph and Zico Edmee.
Pinelands also have their share of artillery upfront, with the skillful Lionel Paul leading with support from Chad Griffith and the experienced Peter Stoute.
They will do battle with a Dames defence, marshaled by oldstager John “Nobby” Parris and supported by Kimoi Seale. There is also the likelihood of former Barbados Defence Force defender Mario Marshall making his return to the Bayland-based team.
Wales will be looking to stretch their winning record to six from six against an unsettled Milan unit who are yet to score a goal or secure a win for the 2012 season.
The defending champs might still be staggering after their shock loss to Bagatelle during the week. Missing their traditional flair and long spells of ball possession, Milan will need to have their key players at their best.
Norman Forde, Dwayne ‘Boot” Griffith, Kenroy Skinner and Ricky Barnes will need to display their experience and seniority if they are to gather three points from this encounter.
Wales are playing a brand of football which is conducive to winning; a unified spirit and a never-say-die attitude are always good ingredients for success.
The front line for Wales has been on point with all of their forwards being among the goals already. Wales’ danger men Dwayne Stanford, Kemar Headley and Zaeehaeus Polius will be a major concern for Milan’s defence.
Their midfield also possesses experience, youth and tenacity, with Paul “Soup” Lovell, Jabar Greene and Kirk Best.
This one is expected to go down to the wire but one goal may separate the winners from the rest.
Brittons Hill may have found their touch after last weekend’s win over the BDF but “derby” matches are very tough to decide, especially when the teams are so close in the table.
Dayrell’s Road should have used their near-two weeks’ rest wisely as they are expected to face a fit, energetic and experienced Brittons Hill line-up.
Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge seems to have been reinstated as the sweeper and will lead a defensive back line with Paul Straughn, Omar Archer and the roving Rohan Hall, who may get the nod at left wing back ahead of Nikolai Blenman.
In the middle of the pitch, Dayrell’s Road’s John Stoute, Brian Bynoe and Ryan James will seek to outwit Brittons Hill’s Luther Watson, Riviere Williams and either Zikdigah Samuels or Rondelle Vaughn.
This derby will fill the seats in the popular “D” Stand and the lads from the Hill should triumph by a 2-0 margin.
