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Defending champions Cavalier make winning start
September 23, 2024
Cavalier launched the defence of their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) title with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Portmore United, who are still to gain a point after two games in the football competition, at Sabina Park yesterday.
Tarick Ximines handed St Catherine team Portmore United the lead 19 minutes into the contest, but a Jalmaro Calvin strike six minutes later, and an Akeem Mullings own goal in the 61st minute ensured the Rudolph Speid-coached Cavalier got off to a winning start.
"Last year, our first game we lost after playing the Caribbean Cup," Speid commented. "It's really a good feeling to get off the mark with a win and make the Premier League feel like home again," he said.
"Last year Portmore did the double on us so we were a little apprehensive. They scored on us too, but we were very comfortable. We were pretty confident that we would get back, and we got back in the first half. And we knew we just had to win the second half."
After a cagey start, Portmore broke the deadlock, thanks to Ximines early strike. But Cavalier were back on even terms six minutes later when Calvin pounced on a loose ball in the area and volleyed home.
Ximines had a good chance to restore Portmore's lead, but he was denied by Vino Barclett in goal.
After the break, Clayton Peck got behind the Cavalier defence but failed to beat Barclett.
Moments later, Dwayne Atkinson rattled the bar as Cavalier went close to scoring.
They would eventually take the lead in the 61st minute, after a good build-up in the area, which led to Mullings scrambling the ball into his owl goal.
Despite having the lion's share of possession, Cavalier always looked the more dangerous, and Calvin came close to adding a third in the 80th minute, but he was thwarted by Daniel Russell in goal.
Portmore United coach Rodolph Austin said they simply failed to make the most of their opportunity.
"Obviously it was a bad result. But we had our moments in the game and we didn't capitalise on them, and when you are playing the defending champions you have to capitalise on your moments and put away your chances. And we have to defend better than we showed. Those are the areas we have to improve on," he said.
