Not totally happy after placing third in Tier II of the T&T Premier Football League last season, Central-based Harlem Strikers redeemed themselves on Saturday (June 29) night.
A 2-0 victory over rival Defence Force in the Big Six final, the lone contest at the Arima Velodrome on Sunday night, crowned the Strikers the new Tier II champion, left vacant by Tobagonians FC Phoenix, who now plays in Tier I.
Strikers coach Devorn Jorsling, a former Defence Force striker, now wants to follow in the footsteps of their predecessor and play in the top-flight Tier I tournament.
“I think that by virtue of us winning the Tier II League, it would give us the bargaining power to approach corporate T&T for sponsorship that will allow us to qualify and play in the top-flight competition.
“Looking seriously at the Tier I League, I believe that with a few more players, coupled with the finances to keep the team functioning, the team will be able to hold its own in Tier I, I honestly believe so,” Jorsling said yesterday, hours after his charges were crowned champions.
The Central-based team has endured a tumultuous time this season, having to battle tooth and nail for funding that they never got. Despite this, however, Jorsling, driven by a desire to showcase himself and his team as a force to be reckoned with in local football, implemented a few changes in his team’s attack that worked in their favour.
On Saturday night, his players again exhibited that despite a slow start, when Jiron Francis and Ryan Porter scored in the 53rd and 85th minutes, respectively, to seal the win.
“The Defence Force did have their moments in the game but we dealt with it well, as the guys raised their game to execute what we have worked on. We went into the game pretty confident because we prepared well for the game.
“The players all knew what their functions were and they executed. As a young coach, I want to test my ability with the best coaches in the local football and that is at the Tier I League. We are a community team and with the right resources, I think we will be able to make an impact in the local top-flight tournament,” Jorsling said.
Saturday’s final was expected to follow a third-place play-off between Matura ReUnited and Queen’s Park at the same venue, but a decision was taken not to play that game because of the condition of the ground after being drenched by all-day rain.
Dwain Henry, the Matura ReUnited manager said he does not believe that TTPFL officials will bother to have the third-place match played as there is no real significance.
“It is only if the teams come together on their own and decide to play it as a fete match, but other than that, I cannot see the League officials making arrangements to play this game because the winner of the tournament has already been decided,” Henry said.
Saturday’s (June 29) result
Halem Strikers 2 (Jiron Francis 53rd, Ryan Porter 85th) vs Defence Force 0