Loss of Foster affected us – Grandison
Portmore United’s captain, Ewan ‘Butter’ Grandison, believes that the loss of influential attacker Maalique ‘Messi’ Foster to injury affected the team’s performance in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) first leg semi-finals last Sunday.
The skillful Foster sustained an injury and was replaced by Venton Evans during the contest that ended 0-0 at Stadium East.
“I think the loss of Maalique, one of our best attacking player, even though we have players in the team, who can match up, but not as great as Maalique. (This) affected us a little – just a little,” Grandison told STAR Sports yesterday.
“If Maalique is out for the next leg it would be a loss. However, we have other quality players in the team,” added the captain, who lifted the national title in 2012.
CAUTIOUS APPROACH
Grandison also said that the red card issued to central defender Andre Dyce in the 70th minute made the team cautious in their approach.
“We also picked up a red card late in the game and had to adjust our game plan, We were down to 10 players so we ensured that the team did not concede,” the Portmore central midfielder stated.
He is now looking forward to the decisive game this Sunday at Prison Oval.
“It is a two-way game, and that was the first leg. It is two great teams, so you don’t know which one would come out victorious on the day, whether playing at home or away.
“I am always confident in every match but this is the semi-final, so it is about the team that really turns up and works harder in the game that will come out victorious,” Grandison further said.
“People are expecting us to take care of business at our Prison Oval home turf, so we have to work hard and give our best. Portmore will give 100 per cent so if we fail there is no one to blame,” he concluded.