Army, W Connection clash in First Citizens final

Reigning champions Defence Force will look to win a fourth First Citizens Cup title tonight when they meet W Connection in the 2017 final from 8pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

The final should produce an intriguing contest for football fans who, once early, will be treated to what should also be an electric third-place match between Point Fortin Civic and Club Sando from 6pm.

Connection, who defeated Central FC 3-1 and Club Sando 2-0 to reach this season’s final, have enjoyed tremendous success in the First Citizens Cup which they have won a record seven times. Defence Force are joint second with San Juan Jabloteh on three titles each.

Defence Force defeated Jabloteh and Point Fortin Civic via the penalty spot to march into their ninth First Citizens Cup final, following 3-3 draws in the quarter-final and semi-final rounds respectively.

“Winning on penalties hasn’t dented our confidence a bit,” said Defence Force winger Reon Moore. “[In fact], both matches were great morale boosters for us. It showed great work by our team, coming back late in both games to go on to win (from the penalty spot).

“The confidence in our team is pretty high without a doubt. We have been growing in confidence over the past months. The togetherness in the team is a lot stronger than in the beginning of the season and there is no stopping us now.

The Army/Coast Guard combination’s ten wins from their last twelve games in all competitions attests to coach Marvin Gordon transitioning side’s improvement following a rocky start to the truncated Pro League season.

And, although Connection boasts a slightly better record with 10 wins, one draw and just one loss in their last twelve games in all competitions, in comparison to Defence Force’s 10 wins and two losses, Gordon’s side’s 4-1 league win last July in the first and only meeting between the two powerhouses proved their capability.

Connection would look to put to sleep the misery of that loss by dethroning the current First Citizens Cup holders.