DEFENCE Force clinched their second TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) tier one title in three seasons on May 4, when they defeated the second-placed MIC Central FC Reboot 1-0 at the St James Police Barracks to secure the 2024/25 league trophy.
With the slender win, the Army/Coast Guard combination moved to 50 points – extending their unbeaten run this season to 18 matches. With Central (37 points) a distant 13 points behind, the Densill Theobald-coached Defence Force team wrapped up the league honours with four games to spare.
In his first season as coach of the Defence Force team, Theobald said he achieved one of his objectives and was thankful for all who have played a part in the team's success this season.
[caption id="attachment_1153394" align="alignnone" width="720"] Players and technical staff from Defence Force FC celebrate winning the TT Premier Football League title after getting a 1-0 win over MIC Central FC Reboot at the St James Police Barracks on May 4. - Photo courtesy TTPFL[/caption]
Theobald thanked Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel for giving him the opportunity to take the mantle at the club, and also heaped praises on his technical staff which includes assistant coaches Mashama Baptiste and former Defence Force and Pro League standout Devorn Jorsling.
"I want to thank the players who I love dearly, who grew on me. I must give them credit for buying into my philosophy in terms of how I wanted them to play and to see it being rewarded like this with four games to go is just a fantastic feeling," Theobald told the media after the match.
Central played their part in what was an intriguing contest and dictated play for most of the first half without capitalising on their chances. Playmaker John-Paul Rochford was a constant thorn for defender Jelani Felix and the Defence Force rear guard, as he put in a number of tantalising crosses and also banged a free kick off the post in first-half stoppage-time. Felix hit the woodwork with a free kick of his own early in the first half, but most of the traffic went towards Isaiah "Blinky" Williams in the Defence Force goal.
Playing in his first match of the season, Williams was busy as he made key saves to keep out efforts from Daniel David and Jameel Neptune.
Early in the second half, Central were punished for their wasteful play in front of goal when centre back Justin Garcia headed in from a Curtis Gonzales free kick to give Defence Force a decisive 1-0 advantage in the 51st minute. It was a goal that seemed to deflate the Central team, as Defence Force controlled the proceedings thereafter and limited their opponents from getting quality chances.
[caption id="attachment_1153395" align="alignnone" width="720"] MIC Central FC Reboot midfielder John-Paul Rochford (C) tries to evade takcles from Defence Force's Rivaldo Coryat (R) and Kendell Hitlal (partially hidden) during their TT Premier Football League match at the St James Police Barracks on May 4. - Photo courtesy TTPFL[/caption]
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