Arnett, Portmore highlight JPL restart

THE JAMAICA Premier League (JPL) returns this afternoon from a six-week postponement, after the country was ravaged by Hurricane Melissa on October 28.

Highlighting this week’s round of games will be the high-profile clash between second-place Portmore United and ninth-place Arnett.

Before the league went offline temporarily, both teams had experienced contrasting results. Portmore won their last two matches and have been unbeaten in six games.

While Arnett were on a run of two consecutive defeats after coming off three successive wins prior to that.

However, after the six week hiatus and with momentum broken, this game can go either way.

Arnett have been having a hot and cold season thus far. The Philip Williams-coached team started the campaign with two consecutive defeats, then went on a run of three straight wins, before slumping to back-to-back defeats before the league was brought to a halt.

However, despite their indifferent form, Portmore coach Rodolph Austin is not taking them lightly.

“Arnett has always been very good. It doesn’t matter if you see them start bad. They always have good players and they always have a good coach. Coach Philip Williams and you have ‘Kojie’ (Fabian Taylor) with a lot of experience. But they always have a quality,” he noted.

While, Arnett are generally known for their attacking prowess. Portmore, this season, boast the best defence in the league, with just six conceded from nine games. But Austin argues that the labels don’t necessarily fit.

“Attacking or defensive team, I don’t think you can define my team or Arnett like that. Football sometimes in certain games you have to be a bit defensive. It’s all about the opponent and the quality of the opponent,” he added.

Although Annett failed to get any points from their last two outings, coach Philip Williams believes the team is heading in the right direction.

“To be creating and not converting is very disappointing. But we are now possessing the ball better. We are connecting better. So we definitely have to work on the end product, which is finishing.”

Today’s Games

Portmore vs Arnett at Ferdi Neita

Racing United vs Molynes at Stadium East

Dunbeholden vs Mount Pleasant at Dunbeholden

Harbour View vs Spanish Town Police at Harbour View

All games begin at 3 p.m.*