Cavalier, Rivoli in big play-off clash

FORMER PREMIER League campaigners Cavalier SC and Rivoli United will face-off in a big clash in the Magnum/JB/Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) return leg promotion play-off series at Stadium East Complex, today, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Both teams were relegated in the 2015-16 Red Stripe Premier League season and were installed favourites to make a speedy return to the nation’s top flight league.

At the half-way stage, Cavalier are on five points, the same as Sandals South Coast. However, Cavalier enjoy a plus three goal difference and Sandals have a plus one. Priory are next on four points, while Rivoli are rooted at the bottom on one point.

Coach of Cavalier, Rudolph Speid, said that the game against Rivoli is massive for both teams.

“Rivoli are in a desperate position but we are just as hungry as Rivoli for the win tomorrow,” Speid told The Gleaner yesterday.

Cavalier’s key players include Swayne Thomas who is the leading scorer with three goals from three games, as well as captain Ryan Miller, St George’s College schoolboy star Alex Marshall, Oshane Jenkins, Kieron Brock and Nicholas Hamilton.

Head coach of Rivoli, Anthony Thompson, is fully aware of the hard task ahead of his team after losing twice and drawing once.

“We have a slim chance of making it back to the Premier League. It is a hard task for us,” Thompson admitted on the eve of the game.

“Now, it is really hard. I have to try something different in the three remaining games in the play-off. Probably, we will have to look at different players,” he added

Rivoli’s main players are Ross Burton, Jeremy Nelson, Don Reid and Kenny Lee.

TODAY’S GAMES

3:30 p.m. – Cavalier SC vs Rivoli United at Stadium East Complex 3:30 p.m. – Sandals South Coast vs Priory SA at Crocs Lawn, Westmoreland