Cavalier advance to last four of JPL
Published:Friday | June 24, 2022 | 12:14 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Cavalier’s St Lucian goalkeeper, Vino Barclett, was the hero for his team yesterday as the defending champions advanced to the semi-finals of this year’s Jamaica Premier League.
Barclett made two penalty saves at Sabina Park as Cavalier defeated Mount Pleasant 4-3 on penalties after the teams had played to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their quarterfinal. The first leg had ended in a 0-0 draw.
Richard King gave Cavalier the lead in the 27th minute, but Daniel Green equalised for Mount Pleasant eight minutes later.
When regulation and extra time failed to separate the teams, the dreaded penalty shoot-out was required and Barclett denied Donovan Segree and Daniel Green.
The St Lucian ‘shot stopper’ said he had studied Green’s penalty kicks the previous night and had no hesitation when the national forward stepped up to take the final kick, needing to score to keep his team’s hopes alive.
“He has taken some penalties in the league, so I watched him last night. I viewed some of his past games, and I just knew he was going there, and I just went out full force,” he said.
He pointed out also that his team had the confidence in him, and he tried his best to repay their faith in him.
“It means a lot to me, and it means a lot to my team. My team knows I have the penalty kicks covered, and I just went out and did my best,” Barclett said.
“We are the defendant champions, but we are also underdogs, but we want it (title), and we are going for it,” he added.
GOOD CHANCES
Cavalier dominated possession while Mount Pleasant were always dangerous on the break. However, both teams had good chances to snatch the win in regular and extra-time.
With Cavalier 1-0 up, Ronaldo Webster had a great chance to add a second minutes later, but he blasted over.
Ladale Richie then missed a sitter when he kicked a loose ball straight to Barclett from seven yards.
However, in the 35th minute, Green ran through and fired home the equaliser.
In the second half, Trivante Stewart wasted two great chances for Mount Pleasant while Green headed a chance wide after a spill by Barclett.
In extra-time, Dwayne Atkinson had two chances, but he kicked the first wide. His other effort was thwarted by an alert Akel Clarke.
Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid said they were prepared to go all the way while praising Barclett.
“We brought on fresh legs at the end to try and get the goal, but it didn’t happen, but one of the ways to win games is to take penalties, and we were prepared.
“Jaedine (White) is a good penalty saver but you cannot fault this one (Barclett) he saved two,” he said.