Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Wednesday | March 18, 2009
Home : Sport
Duhaney Park take aim at Rivoli
Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Super League Duhaney Park will put their knockout football pedigree to the test when they face top-flight contenders Rivoli, as the quarter-final stage of the Flow Champions Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. today, at the Duhaney Park football field.

While they have struggled to achieve consistent results in the Super League season to date, Duhaney Park's form in the knock-out cups - for at least the last few seasons - has often seen them accorded the status of giant-killers.

In the KSAFA Jackie Bell knockout competition played earlier this season, the team barged its way into the final four with a win over Waterhouse before being edged out of contention by Arnett Gardens.

Now on the verge of a second straight knockout semi-final, Duhaney Park's coach, Christopher Russell, believes his team is ready to seize the moment.

Team upbeat

"The team is pretty upbeat and we are looking forward to the challenge of playing another premier league team," Russell told The Gleaner.

"Our record in knockout competitions does give us some degree of confidence, but we won't be overconfident as Rivoli are a premier league team and rightly so, they are a very organised unit," he added.

"It will be good to be back on our home field. We won the last game there, the fans were a big part of it and we are looking forward to their support come today," he said.

Duhaney Park won the last two games of the competition on the road against Wadadah and Police Youth Club. However, defeating a Rivoli team which has showed signs of being more than capable of holding its own against local football's elite teams will not be an easy assignment.

No worry

While aware of the Duhaney Park's record, Rivoli coach Bradley Stewart does not believe it is a major source of concern for his Premier League team.

"I wouldn't say their record is a worry. Every game that we play from now on is a final, we are looking to shore up our position in the Premier League and we would love to advance in the Champions Cup," Stewart said.

"We have had some inconsistent results this season but there have been other factors other than our play and the team is motivated heading into the game," he added.

Today's game

Duhaney Park vs Rivoli at Duhaney Park at 3 p.m.

Tomorrow's games

Harbour View vs Boys' Town at Harbour View Mini Stadium at 6 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Village United at Waterhouse Mini Stadium at 6 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens vs Reno at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 6 p.m.

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