Two-time reigning Caribbean Football Union Club and Digicel T&T Pro League champions, Central FC will shift focus from its Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League campaign when it faces Defence Force in the domestic season opening Digicel Charity Shield at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva from 7pm tonight.
Central FC coached by Dale Saunders will be appearing in its third straight Charity Shield match and will be fancied to retain the title it won for the first time last year, a 1-0 win over three-time winners, W Connection after losing by a similar margin the previous season at the same Couva venue.
Central FC, winners of 13 trophies in three seasons of existence had an early start to its season, in August, a 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps followed by a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City in their two homes matches in the Concacaf Champions League, while Defence Force has only had the benefit of practice matches.
Speaking ahead of the match that will carry a prize money of $10,000 to be donated to charity of the team’s choice, Saunders said his team's only act of kindness on the night will be in donating the prize money and he does not expect charitable battle on the field. He said: “When Central play the Army, there is always fireworks, and more so on Friday as we will be looking to retain the title while Defence Force will be keen to begin the new season with a trophy as well”
A former national midfielder, Saunders is also elated with his squad and stated, “Both Jason Marcano and Marcus Joseph scored regularly for me last season, while young Nicholas Dillon is continually gaining experience and composure and benefitting from playing alongside Kenwyne Jones.
Meanwhile, Defence Force coach, Marvin Gordon while not having a team as deep as his rivals, was adamant he had enough firepower to take home the title.
Changes to Pro League
This season, the T&T Pro League will consist of two rounds of matches which will be contested from September 2016 to January 2017. The following a short break the Pro League will revert to an April to December schedule in 2017.
The teams competing this season includes defending champions Central FC, W Connection, Ma Pau Stars, Morvant/Caledonia United, St Ann's Rangers, Pt Fortin Civic, Police FC, Defence Force, Club Sando and San Juan Jabloteh.