Former champions Sandy Bay FC could be the first qualifier for the final of the Hanover Football Association Charley's JB Rum/Captain's Bakery and Grill Major League today if they can avoid a big loss to Johnson Town in their return-leg semi-finals at Watson Taylor Park, set to start at 3:00 pm.

Sandy Bay FC lead 3-0 after winning Saturday's first leg, also played at Watson Taylor Park.

Meanwhile, the other semi-final tie is in the balance after mid-season champions Super Star YC and Grand Palladium ended 1-1 at Watson Taylor Park on Sunday.

Linval Galloway had given Super Star the lead in the 52nd minute only for Renaldo Jewhill to level the scores in the 79th minute going into the return-leg on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Hugh Parker scored his first two goals of the season to stake his team to a 2-0 lead after just 15 minutes.

Parker scored in the fourth and 15th minutes, while an own goal in the 64th minute from Bradwayne Whitmore made it 3-0.

In life, Captain Horace Garfield Burrell effortlessy endeared people to himself. In death, his allure kept its magnetism, as thousands flocked to the National Arena to bid a final farewell to one of Jamaica's finest sons — a man of few equals, a man of impeccable vintage and unquestionable character.

Burrell, who lost his valiant battle with prostate cancer on June 6 in the USA, was eulogised as a visionary leader, astute businessman, Jamaican patriot, devoted family man, and a gentleman of refined taste.

These colourful tributes for the former head of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) were not just words coined to paint him in a glorious light. Everything said of the inimitable Burrell was true and honest and flowed from the purest part of the human souls that regaled him.

No doubt, Jamaica has parted ways with a giant among men.

Burrell was 67.

Recognised as the patriarch of modern Jamaican football, Burrell's larger than life attitude, steely determination, and commitment to cause complete the legacy he leaves behind.

But more importantly, he was a champion of his people and loved his country almost to a fault, and his service in their interest goes beyond measure.

However, it was in football that he made his mark. Apart from his family, Captain Burrell loved nothing more.

And though he was at home walking the corridors of the game's power brokers, it was with the business of Jamaica's football that had his heart in a tight knot. He could not break free even if he wanted to. He was hooked.

His signature achievement of leading Jamaica to the promised land of the FIFA World Cup in France 1998 has immortalised him. Captain Burrell is now woven in the fabric of what is great about this spot of land in the Caribbean Sea.

“Horace Burrell was not a man who settled for average, he used to say to me, Coach, you only live once, so you must live in first class. 'He was determined to be the best at everything he did. When he took over the JFF, he set his eyes towards goals no one had achieved before,” shared former Reggae Boyz technical director and Burrell's Road to France co-agitator, the Brazilian Rene Simoes.

“I wasn't available in Brazil, but he convinced me to move to Jamaica with my family to work day and night to support the Road to France programme. He always stands strong by his vision, even through the hardest criticism. Excellence was mandatory for him and he liked everything to be top of the line... and he did live a top of the line life,” the Brazilian went on.

Simoes, who became very close friends with Burrell since their paths first intertwined in 1994, remembered the man as a purveyor of “love and compassion”. And much more.

“(He was) a natural leader, a visionary, a successful businessman, a football lover, and a good servant to Jamaica.

“Behind a tough appearance was a man (of) kindness, a man who have become a part of my life and I will miss hearing him call me 'Big coach'. He was not a perfect man, no one is, but to me he was top of the line and he will be greatly missed,” said Simoes, who wept openly throughout the “top of the line” service for a “top of the line” man.

It was fitting that football dignitaries — from home and abroad — came out to pay their last respects to one of the game's most dynamic personalities, for the suave Burrell made scored in high and low places.

CONCACAF president, Canadian Victor Montagliani, in his tribute, remembered Burrell's unshakeable love for family.

“One of the last conversations I had with Captain Burrell was in Aruba, and I said to him 'Captain you should be proud you have a great family and great kids', and he said to me, 'Vic it is not all about cups, it is about family.' And so through all the work and dedication and appreciation for football, he never forgot that the real world cup was his family,” Montagliani noted.

“Today (yesterday), I stand before you on behalf of the FIFA president and on behalf of the 41 nations of CONCACAF, we are here not only to mourn the loss of a great man and a great friend, but also to celebrate the great accomplishments.

“He was a great football visionary, not only within our region, but in FIFA as well. We will take as victory his years of service to the game and the football family... (we) thank Captain Burrell for his extraordinary passion for the sport and for his tremendous work to capture the fans or to discover new talent,” the Canadian added.

Meanwhile, US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati hailed Burrell as a pioneer of Jamaica's football.

“We have been friends for a long time, and competitors on the field with our teams for a long time so it's a big loss for Jamaica and the football community. I think he almost single-handedly took the sport to a higher level in Jamaica, and in many ways in the CFU (Caribbean Football Union). He was relentless [and] had a great vision for the sport, and also on top of all that, he was an extraordinary family man. So football as indeed lost a giant,” said the American.

As the battle for the two promotional spots to the nation's top-flight league remains evenly poised, leaders Cavalier Soccer Club will seek to separate themselves from the pack when they take on Rivoli United in the return-round games of the Magnum/Charley's JB JFF Premier League Playoff at Stadium East today.

Meanwhile, second-placed Sandals South Coast and third-placed Priory SA will square off in the other encounter at the former's Crocs Lawn base in Westmoreland. Both games are scheduled for 3:30 pm.

Cavalier, who are currently atop on five points, will be heading into today's contest confident of keeping their unbeaten record intact, having won once and drawn twice. Rivoli will be aiming to recover from a 0-1 loss to Priory SA on last.

It has been quite the ride for both sides thus far, as the last meeting between the two former Premier League outfits ended in a 1-1 stalemate with the KSAFA champions coming from behind to earn a share of the spoils with the South Central winners.

However, while Cavalier stand out as a vibrant contender to move forward, Rivoli United's chances of booking a ticket to the 2017/18 Red Stripe Premier League season is hanging in the balance and they will be optimistic of once again getting the jump on the opponents and holding it to the end.

Head Coach Rudolph Speid is cognisant that it will, by no means, be an easy task with Rivoli United now aiming to keep their hopes alive, as they are rooted at the foot of the four-team table with one point.

“This game is going to be even harder than the first one because Rivoli is wounded. They lost their last game and I think we are really going to have to work hard to get the win because they will be coming hard,” Speid told the Jamaica Observer shortly after their 1-1 draw with Sandals South Coast on Sunday.

The St Catherine-based Rivoli are expected to be led by Liston James, Kenny Lee, Own Walters, Davion Alves, Jeremy Nelson, and Don Reid in the hunt for their first win to keep pace with the leaders.

Former St George's College standout Alex Marshall will lead the youthful Cavalier unit from the front, with National Under-17 representative Kaheem Paris, Swayne Thomas, Ryan Miller, Nicholas Hamilton and Oshane Jenkins also expected to play prominent roles throughout the contest.

The other contest between Eastern Confederation champions Priory Soccer Academy from St Ann and the Western Confederation champions Sandals South Coast from Westmoreland is also expected to be a mouth-watering clash.

There is very little to separate the two clubs, who ended goalless when they last met, but with home court advantage and experience in their favour, Sandals South Coast might have the slight edge.

They are in second on five points with a slightly inferior goal difference to Cavalier, with Priory SA, formerly Volvo, hovering closely behind on four points. the results of today's contest could, to some extent, make or break the chances of either team's progression.

Aaron Lawrence, coach of Sandals South Coast, explained the significance of today's results.

“We just have to do what we have to do when they come here and win that game. The competition remains open for both teams, so once we do our job and win this game and try getting a point away, then we will be alright,” Lawrence told the Observer.

But Priory have proved that they can hold their own on a big stage following their crucial 1-0 win over Rivoli United on last, and they will be brimming with confidence of securing a second consecutive victory.

However, tactics and defensive solidity could prove the difference along with form, and both teams have vast potential but are still yet to display their best football. Fans can expect a tight match, from two clubs that have plenty to lose.

Romaine Bennett, Ron Daley, Junior Neil and Shemar Wright will carry the Sandals South Coast attack, while Dario Stewart, Mario Gordon, Carlos Barrett, Shimar Stewart and Aliem Campbell are expected to be point men in the Priory team.

Catherine Hall FC and Heights FC confirmed their places in the final of the St James Football Association Sandals International Senior League, in rescheduled games at the UDC Field on Thursday.

Heights FC came from behind to beat Seba FC 2-1 in the first game to advance 4-1 on aggregate after they had won the first game, last week 2-0, while Catherine Hall just edged Lilliput Rovers 4-3 on aggregate after they lost 1-2 subsequent to winning the first game 3-1.

The games were originally scheduled for Tuesday, but had to be postponed due to a waterlogged field.

The final will be decided tomorrow at Jarrett Park starting at 6:00pm, with the winners qualifying for next season's Western Confederation Super League.

Kemar Brown kept up his good scoring form, giving Heights FC the lead late in the game to grant his team a decisive margin.

Kevon Baugh scored for Seba FC in the 16th minute to cut Heights FC's advantage in half, and they held the lead in the game until the 85th minute when Brown re-established his team's two-goals-lead and then added a second in the 89th minute to kill off the game as a contest.

Jeremie Bucknor and Steven Bramwell scored for Lilliput Rovers but Kemar Reid's goal was enough for Catherine Hall to just get by and qualify for the final.

A brace by Swayne Thomas has placed former Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) outfit Cavalier SC in pole position in the race for promotion to the nation's top-flight competition following a 3-0 beating of Priory SA in the JFF Magnum/Charley's JB Overproof Rum Premier League play-offs.

Thomas opened and closed the scoring in the 13th and 84th minutes, with substitute Ryan Miller (81st) getting the other in front of a moderate crowd at the Stadium East field yesterday.

The win placed the Corporate Area champions on four points, like Western Confederation champions Sandals South Coast, but with a slightly better goal difference.

Sandals South Coast got by South Central winners Rivoli United 2-1, courtesy of goals from Ron Daley (11th) and Junior Neil (58th), while Codean Smikle (20th) was the scorer for the losing team in the other encounter at Cros Lawn in Westmoreland.

Both Cavalier and Sandals South Coast are now set to square off in a top-of-the-table clash in Sunday's third set of games, while Rivoli United and Eastern Confederation champions Priory Soccer Academy from St Ann will meet in the other contest.

Unlike what they did on Sunday, Cavalier SC were slow out the blocks, as Priory SA looked very purposeful in the early exchanges and briefly worried their opponents' backline, but failed in their bid to break the deadlock.

The hosts gradually increased the tempo shortly after and grabbed the ascendancy when Thomas picked up a pass from Nicholas Hamilton and slotted past custodian Donovan Hinds in goal for Priory SA.

The score would remain unchanged at the break, as Cavalier failed to capitalise on their dominance in the attacking third, while at the other end, Prior SA relied on speculative efforts.

However, the St Ann-based team, formerly Volvo United, came alive on the resumption and applied consistent pressure, which saw them breaching Cavalier's defence on a number of occasions, but were denied by faulty shooting.

On the hour mark, Cavalier gradually broke free, but they too lacked composure in the final third.

It was not until the latter stages of the contest with the introduction of National Under-17 representative Kaheem Paris, as well as Ryan Miller, that they finally extended their lead with the Priory team seemingly running on fumes.

Miller was on hand to head home from close range, after goalkeeper Hinds failed to cleanly handle a cross from former St George's College stalwart Alex Marshall.

Priory responded with a last-ditch effort a minute later, but custodian Jeadine White, who was also a part of the National Under-17 set-up, threw himself to the left to parry a right-footed effort from substitute Romain Walsh.

Thomas returned to put the icing on the cake when he picked up a pass from Paris, before dismissing the hapless Hinds and rifling his shot into the top of the net.

Though pleased with the three points, Cavalier's Head Coach Rudolph Speid expressed disappointment with the overall display and demeanour of the team.

“Well, first of all, we are pleased for the victory because the three points are what matters most, but I wasn't satisfied with the game. We were selfish in front of goal; we tried to score when we could have passed the ball and of course in a tight game it could be the only chance, so I'm not pleased about that,” he told journalists in a post-game interview.

His counterpart Courtney Dodd felt his team failed to show when it really mattered most.

“We played poorly today (yesterday); we didn't mark well and we didn't play well on a whole. We lacked concentration and fight was missing today. So we just have to rebound and come back for maximum points in the next game,” he lamented.

Shock and grief descended upon the Jamaican sporting fraternity yesterday, as news of the passing of Captain Horace Burrell, perennial president of the Jamaica Football Association (JFF), hit the world.

Absent from the local scene for a prolonged period, Burrell, 67, died in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States (US), after suffering from cancer for the past year and having to undergo treatment at the Johns Hopkins Cancer Treatment Center, also in Maryland.

Renowned for his robust leadership qualities, the football chief served as a Captain in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

He would later be tasked with looking after the JDF football team by Colonel Ken Barnes, the father of English international footballer John Barnes.

Burrell’s journey with the JDF team saw him crossing paths with Jack Warner, Trinidad politician and former football executive who subsequently offered him an executive position at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

Following a stint at the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), Burrell staged a successful bid for the presidency of the JFF in 1994.

The captain would then try his hand at business, having founded The Captain’s Bakery and Grill in 1995 and later Captain’s Aviation Services in 2008.

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT

Most would voice that Burrell’s crowning achievement came in 1997, when the Jamaica National Football team secured qualification to the 1998 FIFA World Cup Finals in France, marking the first time an English-speaking Caribbean country qualified for the world's most prestigious event.

For his outstanding service to football, in 1998 he was bestowed with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) by the Jamaican Government and the Order of Merit from the world football governing body, FIFA.

Burrell also held the offices of Senior Vice President of CONCACAF and Vice President of the CFU. He served as a member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and a Vice President of the Jamaica Olympic Association.

In October 2011, the FIFA Ethics Committee imposed a six-month ban on Burrell, having implicated him in the Caribbean Football Union corruption scandal.
 
The Committee later suspended three months of the ban, subject to a probationary period of two years.

“May his soul rest in peace. That’s all I can say right now and of course, I hope his family is quickly able to recover from his demise,” Jack Warner told The Gleaner.  

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange expressed shock and sadness at the passing.

“Football in Jamaica has lost a cornerstone,” said Grange, whilst conveying her sympathy to family, friends and the executive of the JFF.

Social media also went into a tailspin, with tributes pouring in from across the globe.

Captain Horace Burrell is survived by his children, daughter, Dr. Tiphani Burrell-Piggott and sons Romario and Jaeden.

The Fifth renewal of the Barita-sponsored Drax Hall Masters Invitational football competition is slated for the Drax Hall Sports Complex, St. Ann on Sunday, December 18.

Teams taking part include, Portland Masters, Los Perfectos, St.Ann Masters, Kingston Commissioners, Harbour View and Holders Tourers of Montego Bay.

Violet Tourers, the defending champions, will be boosted by former Premier League stalwarts, and National players such as Norman Foster, Hector Wright, Warren Barrett, and Theodore Whitmore. Matches are set to begin at 12 noon and end at 9pm.

Other stand out players taking part are: Byron Earle, Kevin O’Sang, Donald Stewart and Christopher Powell.

The competition is being title-sponsored by Barita‎ to the Tune of $100,000 along with associate sponsors, Clinicare Pharmacy, Smoke Marlin Restaurant, UG’s Cellular and Selbys Transport.

rnett Gardens captain, Oneil 'Bigga' Thompson is focusing on beating Portmore United in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) final in order to lift his and the club's second title in three seasons.

Both teams will battle for the nation's top football title next Monday at the National Stadium in Kingston, starting at 8:30 p.m.

"This is our second final in the Premier League in three seasons and it is a great feeling to be back after winning in 2015," Thompson who is popularly called 'Bigga' told The Gleaner after his team's training session last Tuesday at the Anthony Spaulding Complex in Trench Town.

"Portmore are in our way, we know that they are a good team. We have to be organised as we were against Montego Bay United and Humble Lion," the 33 year-old central defender reasoned.

"We have played two strong teams in the quarter-final and semi-final and overcome them, so it will be difficult for any team to beat us," he warned Portmore.

"We are not trying to do anything different at this stage. We started the season without top players such as Renae Lloyd, Vishinul Harris and Keneil Hyde. Now, we are at full strength with all players available.

"The chemistry in midfield wasn't there but with the players back, we are ready for Portmore," added Thompson who transferred from Boys' Town in 2014 and who also represented Norwegian side Notodden FC player.

Arnett Gardens started the season well but fell off during the third and final preliminary rounds and eventually finished sixth in the regular season. Thompson shared that the team decided to focus on the playoff portion of the season after falling behind in the league race and believes the Junglists are peaking at the right time.

"We realised that winning the regular season trophy for the team that end with most points was out of our reach. Then, we paced ourselves and peaked at the right time," the Arnett captain shared.

Arnett Gardens won national league titles in 1977, 2001, 2002 and 2015. They are hunting their fifth title.

Portmore United are into their second Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) final in two years, and although coach Linval Dixon does not see much difference in this team from the one that lost 2-1 to Montego Bay United in last season's finale, he insists that they have a lot of quality and more room to get even better.

"There is not much difference (from last season) because we have the same team, except with the inclusion of Jeremie Lynch, but there is nothing different," he insisted.

 

Not Lacking Quality
 

Dixon noted that the team did not lack quality and underlined that the players still had the desire to get better every day.

"This team has a lot of quality players. Sometimes it's difficult to pick the starting team based on the quality, but this team understands what it takes to perform and to win," said Dixon. "They always have the drive to win because it's a mentality we develop in training, and it keeps them going, and they only can grow from strength to strength."

"They know that for them to be on top, they have to improve day by day, and they don't want to settle to be good players. They want to be the best, so they push each other, and they respond well to work," Dixon stated.

Portmore will face an Arnett Gardens team which is in its second final in three seasons and Dixon said that his players were excited and anxious about the test that awaits them.

"They (players) were disappointed last season, but they have that drive and want to make it better this time around, so we don't want to leave it to chance," he said.

"They are excited and they are anxious to be back at the finals. Losing to Montego Bay United in the final and to be back here is really a good job from the players. But we haven't play the final as yet, so we still have to be grounded. We still have to be focused and be ready to play."

Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore Whitmore was left a bitterly disappointed man last week Thursday after a second proposed meeting between the technical staff of the senior football team and Premier League club coaches failed to materialise.

According to Whitmore, the first of two meetings aimed, among other things, at addressing some of the Premier League clubs' complaints and to try and build a stronger relationship between the national programme and top-tier clubs as it relates to player development, went well, noting that he had high expectations for the scheduled follow-up meeting.

Disappointed But Not Deterred
However, only Premier League coaches who are attached to the national programme showed for the second meeting. Although he is disappointed, Whitmore said that he is still interested in organising these forums in an effort to move local football forward.

"We tried to keep two meetings. One went well and was very successful. But only Andrew Price from Boys' Town; Jerome Waite, the assistant (senior team) coach representing Arnett Gardens; and Wendell Downswell from Reno, who were a part of the first meeting, returned for the second one.

"None of the Premier League coaches indicated that they would not be there, apart from Rod Underwood of MoBay United, who said that he wouldn't be available because of prior engagements and he would be leaving the island," Whitmore said.

"Over the years, we have heard Premier League clubs complaining, so what we are trying to do is build a relationship by bringing the programme to them and bring them up to date with what we intend to do from now to the Gold Cup.

"We want to get their input on the players that have been invited to camp and explain to them what we are looking for in a player and how they can help the players when we send these players back to their clubs. So any recommendations from them will be good for us. But that second meeting didn't happen," he said.

Whitmore believes that such meetings can only bring benefits for the nation's football programme and says that in the future, he will continue to try and organise such forums.

"This is the country's football, and anything for us to move forward as a nation, I am willing to work with it," Whitmore said.