ISL Semi-Final Round Playoff Preview
The Lindo’s ISL Playoffs Semi-final round is on tonight [July 14] at 7:30 pm. The games will be played at the National Sports Centre. Game one features the G.E.T. Limited Red Division champion Arsenal [5-1] taking on the Union [5-2]. Game two features an old rivalry renewed when the Ace Insurance Blue Division Champion Knights [6-0] take on the Kings [4-3].
Match one preview – Arsenal vs. Union. The Union defeated the Apex by a score of 9-5. Jason Lee, Marco Warren, and Jahmel Swan each scored two goals to lead a balanced offensive attack. Union GK Treadwell Gibbons turned aside 20 Apex shots. Lason Lee has put a boost into the Union offense. In two matches that Jason Lee didn’t play the Union averaged just over five goals per match.
Lee has played in the last five matches and the Union averaged almost 11 goals per match. The only team that has been able to contain Lee is the Arsenal. Lee was kept off the sheet the last time Arsenal met Union, an 8-5 victory for the Arsenal. Arsenal swept the season series with Union winning by a combined score of 21-10. The Arsenal is led by Lindo’s ISL leading goal scorer Cecoy Robinson. Robinson collected 16 goals in the regular season.
Robinson is not the only offensive threat for Arsenal. Ralph Bean Jr. compliments Robinson nicely. Bean was tied for third in the league in scoring with 12 goals. Shaki Pearman, Fabian Frankson, and Cornell Castle also add scoring punch. The Arsenal also got a boost at the end of the season with the return of Ijahmon Mallory to their defense. Arseanal are anchored by perennial All Star GK Jason Smith.
Match two preview – Knights vs. Kings. The Knights begin their quest for an elusive Lindo’s ISL Championship with an old adversary, the Kings. The Knights have been the most consistently successful regular season team but have yet to bring home a Lindo’s ISL Championship. That frustration began in the first ever Lindo’s ISL season when they lost to the Kings in the finals. Last season the Knights were a perfect 6-0, but lost to the Storm in the Semi-final round.
This year the Knights repeated their perfect regular season [6-0]. The additions of MF Shayne Hollis, and GK Nigel Burgess have put the Knights in position to win it all. MF Ian Coke had an outstanding regular season. Coke was tied for third in the Lindo’s ISL scoring race with 12 goals. Hollis added six goals, and veteran Striker Vince Minors finished strong tallying 10 goals on the year.
The addition of Burgess and the steady play of Knights defenders Kaiya Darrell, Robert Richardson, and Coolidge Durham led to the Knights being the best defensive team in 2011 allowing just 21 goals in six matches [3.5 goals per game]. The Kings knocked off the Titans to make it to the Semi-final round. Rui Furtardo, Jahnai Raynor, and Kahmisi Lightbourne scored two goals. Lightbourne [five goals] and Raynor [six goals] have provided an offensive spark for the Kings over their last four matches.
Tickets are now on sale for tonight’s Semi-finals and Sunday’s Finals and can be purchased for $10 at all Lindo’s, and Sidekicks locations. They can also be purchased at the International Sports Store, the BFA, the Pro Shop, and Grotto Bay Resort. 2011 Lindo’s ISL schedules are free and available at all ticket locations.
