CALEDONIA AIA are eager to claim success in the 2012-2013 Digicel Pro League, despite their opening day 3-1 defeat against North East Stars on September 14 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
And coach Jamaal Shabazz’s confidence was boosted on October 5 by successfully defending the First Citizens Cup with a 2-1 win over Defence Force at the Mucurapo venue with a goal each from Jamal Gay and Trayon Bobb.
It was one of three domestic titles — the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield and FA Trophy being the others — picked up by Caledonia last season after reaching four knockout finals.
It was by far the most successful season for the 33-year-old club born out of the socially challenged districts of Morvant-Laventille.
Last season Caledonia also won the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship and debuted in the CONCACAF Champions League but finished at the bottom of Group Four with just one point in the home and away series against Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders and CD Marathon of Honduras.
Caledonia qualified for the Caribbean Club Championship — which is also the qualifying tournament for the CCL — behind W Connection last season and wants to go a step further this season by winning the Digicel Pro League.
Speaking after the First Citizens Cup victory, Shabazz said, “I think we are very motivated to come to play this season and continue to believe, in a strong sense.
“Having tasted the CONCACAF Champions League, [we want to be there again]. We have never won the Pro League and it’s something that we are hungry for.”
Caledonia’s journey to the First Citizens Cup title included an early 2-0 win over TTEC FC in the quarterfinal round and a late 1-0 win over six-time winners W Connection.
“It’s really a good feeling (to win the titles two times in a row),” continued the Caledonia coach. “The First Citizens Cup is one of the most consistent sponsors in the TT Pro League and it’s always the first Cup of the season. So we are really happy to keep it. It sets the tone for us for the rest of the season.”
He added that winning the trophy back-to-back comes at a time when there are talks of bringing peace in the communities, and that the First Citizens Cup title is a good victory for the football club to bring the people of Morvant-Laventille together. Shabazz supported that there is now a growing friendly rivalry between his club and Defence Force.
“It was a pleasure meeting Defence Force again and coming out on top again,” he said. “It was a big one for us. We are really happy about it and feel really contented with this win.”
Last season Caledonia and Defence Force clashed in three finals with Caledonia enjoying the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield and FA Trophy while the Soldiers captured the Digicel Pro Bowl.
“I thought our guys were motivated all the way,” continued Shabazz. “We are always motivated to play against Defence Force. And going into the first final of the year we didn’t need much motivation from (assistant coach) Jerry (Moe) or myself.
“I thought (midfielder) Densill Theobald has brought a lot in terms of motivation in the team. And the return of Atuallah Guerra from injury is also something that has lifted the spirit of the team. So all in all, we didn’t have a lot to do in motivating the guys.
“I think we played well below our capacity in the first half. The tempo of the game was a little bit too low and we asked the guys to push it a lot more and they did (in the second period).
“But Defence Force are a good team, a powerful team, and they never stopped fighting too. All the talk we would talk, we have a lot of respect for them and were happy to meet them in the final and we hope to meet them in the final (of other competitions this season).”
The League Championship resumes on Friday with a Round One Match Day Two doubleheader at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
TTEC FC will take on St Ann’s Rangers from 6 pm and defending champs W Connection against Caledonia from 8 pm.
Match Day Two continues on Saturday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium with Central FC against Police FC from 5 pm and Defence Force against leaders North East Stars from 7 pm.
Source: www.newsday.co.tt