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“We are ready since our last game (last Friday’s 7-1 Charity Shield win over Pro League championship holders North East Stars),” W Connection assistant coach Earl Jean told today’s (Wednesday) gathering during the launch of the 2018 First Citizens Cup at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain.
Suriname international Dimitrie Apai picked up the Final’s MVP and Best Forward honours while his side W Connection celebrated a record-extending eighth First Citizens Cup by dethroning Defence Force 3-1 on Friday night at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Neil Benjamin Jr. struck an opening goal and assist to steer record seven-time former champions W Connection into the semi-finals of the 2017 First Citizens Cup with a 3-1 quarter-final win over Couva rivals Central FC on Sunday at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Can reigning champions Defence Force defend the title for the first time for a fourth First Citizens Cup? Or will W Connection lift an unprecedented eighth First Citizens Cup after both sides battle in the 2017 final from 8pm on Friday night at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Point Fortin Civic improved their status as the bogey side of North East Stars since an opening loss to their 2017 Pro League campaign last June against the Stars at the Arima Velodrome.
W Connection assistant coach Earl Jean wants his players to demonstrate loyalty as the Savonetta Boys look to an unprecedented eighth First Citizens Cup, which ultimately means dethroning holders Defence Force when the two sides lock horns from 8pm on Friday in the 2017 final at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Kadeem Hutchinson last night scored what could arguably stand the most spectacular double in the history of the First Citizens Cup but his San Juan Jabloteh side finished on the losing end after an electrifying quarter-final clash against 10-men defending champions Defence Force.
Goalkeeper Andre Marchan epitomised the true heart-of-a-soldier when, limping through injury, he made three saves in a nail-biting penalty shootout against Point Fortin Civic on Friday night to put Defence Force one win away from successfully defending the First Citizens Cup.
Two-time former champions Central FC are into the quarter-final round of the 2017 First Citizens Cup where they will tackle bitter Couva rivals W Connection on Sunday from 3:30pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.