Rangers aim to prevent Defence Force double

TERMINIX La Horquetta Rangers will try to prevent Defence Force from completing the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football double this season when the teams lock horns in the final of the knock-out competition at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex at 7 pm on Saturday.

Defence Force won the league title last month with a last round victory at the Arima Velodrome. The Army men leapfrogged AC Port of Spain in the standings with a 2-1 win.

Justin Garcia and Kaihim Thomas were the goal scorers for Defence Force on the day.

Defence Force sealed a spot in the knock-out final with a narrow 3-2 win in semi-final one at Diego Martin Sporting Complex on Tuesday.

Garcia, Reon Moore and prolific scorer Brent Sam were all on target for Defence Force.

In the second semi-final at the same venue, Rangers edged Police 3-2 to book a place in the final.

Tyrone Charles led the way for Rangers netting a brace and also finding his name on the score sheet was Josiah Edwards.

Rangers have had a solid season and will be eager to end the season with silverware.

Rangers were in contention to win the league title for most of the campaign, but their form dipped in the last few weeks which saw the La Horquetta-based team finish in fourth position.

Rangers coach Dave Quamina said, “I think the team struggled this year with consistency. One game we will score a lot of goals and another game we will struggle to score. I think it has been an up and down season.”

Quamina thinks his team has an equal chance to win the knock-out crown despite finishing fourth in the league.

“It is a game that both teams are 50-50. I don’t believe it has a favourite. Although Defence Force won the league, on the day as long as we are consistent and we do the right thing I think the game could be a close one.”

Quamina wants his team to stick to the basics, remain focused and dig deep. He said defensively at times Rangers have lacked concentration as keeping a clean sheet has been challenging.

The entrance fee for the final is $40, but if fans wear yellow or red they only have to pay $30. Defence Force wear yellow and Rangers dress in red.