Harbour View focused on relegation escape
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Clyde Jureidini, general manager of Harbour View, says the club’s history as one of the most successful Jamaican clubs will not play a role today when they face off against Molynes United in a must-win affair to avoid relegation from the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
Harbour View will face Molynes at the Constant Spring Sports Complex with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m.
Both clubs are facing relegation and it is set up to be a decisive fixture for either team.
Harbour View sit just inside the relegation zone with 36 points, three behind Molynes, 39, with two games left to play.
A win for Molynes would confirm Harbour View’s relegation while a win for Harbour View would keep their survival hopes alive.
A draw would benefit Molynes as it would bring the relegation fight down to the final day where they hold the advantage with a far superior goal difference.
It has been a rough campaign for Harbour View and continues a poor run of performances in the JPL as they have now finished outside the league’s top 10 for the past three seasons.
It is a far fall from grace for the club which had lifted their fifth national title in 2022.
Jureidini said their recent underwhelming performances, as well as their past successes, will not play a role in today’s do-or-die affair.
“The main aim is to focus on these two games; not on this season, not on the last season, not on the five championships that we have won locally and the two internationally,” Jureidini explained.
“Those things are secondary to focusing on tomorrow's game and then the next game, next week against Cavalier.”
FIGHTING SPIRIT
Jureidini is confident the Stars of the East will maintain their spot as a top-flight club, and pointed to the team’s fighting spirit.
He explained that, despite their poor season, the club has shown the ability to defeat quality opposition, which included a 4-3 win over league leaders Montego Bay United last week.
He is hoping to see that same spirit emerge when they play their last two must-win games of the season.
“We have defeated the league leaders and the second-place team in Mount Pleasant this season. Those are the steps that we have to take now. The first step that we must take is defeating Molynes tomorrow,” Jureidini explained.
“We are focusing on winning the game, which is what will keep us in the relegation fight, and it will keep us working towards moving up the table. Our overall team goal is to win both games, starting with the most important one tomorrow.”
Despite the confidence, Jureidini admitted the club is prepared for the possibility of relegation but said they are not ready to admit defeat without a fight.