Wounded giants
Slow-starting Cavalier and Arnett look to get it right against each other
Published:Sunday | August 31, 2025 | 12:20 AM
STILL WITHOUT a win in their first three competitive games of the season, Cavalier head coach Rudolph Speid said they are still looking to return to their very best as he had expected the slow start.
Two-time defending Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions and defending Caribbean Cup champions, Cavalier, recorded a loss and a draw in their opening two games of the Caribbean Cup against Cibao and Juventus des Cayes, respectively, and were held to a scoreless draw against Harbour View in match week one of the JPL.
They will be looking to claim their first win tomorrow when they take on Arnett Gardens in their second outing in the JPL, in a clash of wounded giants.
Speid, speaking after their match against Juventus des Cayes, is hoping their upcoming run of games in the league can see the team return to winning form.
“The good thing is that we’ll get a couple Premier League games before [next game in Caribbean Cup] so I’m hoping those might help.”
The source of much of Cavalier’s issues come down to the departure of several of their key players this summer, with the club welcoming new faces to fill the gap.
This, as Speid explained, gives the team little time for their new arrivals to settle in as they will need to build cohesion in a short space of time.
They will also need to adjust to the weight of expectations.
“It’s a work in progress and we’re trying to get better and better,” he said.
“It’s difficult because our shirt is kind of heavy to wear. I thought they did well on their debut and I wouldn’t have asked anything much more of them. I think they will get better though as soon as they acclimatise to how we play.”
Arnett, on the other hand, will be looking to recover from a heavy defeat in their opening fixture as they were thumped 5-1 by Racing United.
Kick-off has been set for tomorrow at 4pm at Sabina Park
In today’s action, Racing United will be looking to continue their red-hot start to the season but will face a tough challenge when they travel to take on Waterhouse.
Both teams have won their respective games, with Racing downing Arnett, while Waterhouse are coming off a 2-0 victory over Molynes United.
JPL debutants Spanish Town Police will go searching for their first points of the season when they take on Dunbeholden in their second match.
It will be an interesting fixture for Spanish Town Police, as though they are the home team, the match will be played at the Dunbeholden Sports Complex.
The Spanish Town Prison Oval, Police’s home venue, has not met the JPL standards for hosting games.
Portmore United will play hosts to Tivoli Gardens at the Stadium East in the headline event of a double header.
Earlier in the afternoon at the same venue, Harbour View take to the field against Chapelton Maroons as the Stars of the East go hunting for their first win of the season.
TODAY’S GAMES
Harbour View vs Chapelton Maroons at Stadium East (3pm)
Portmore United vs Tivoli Gardens at Stadium East (5:30pm)
Spanish Town Police vs Dunbeholden at Dunbeholden (3pm)
Waterhouse vs Racing United at Drewsland Mini Stadium (4pm)
TOMORROW’S GAMES
Arnett Gardens vs Cavalier at Sabina Park (4pm)
Mount Pleasant vs Molynes United at Catherine Hall (5pm)
Montego Bay United vs Treasure Beach at Catherine Hall (7:30pm)