Rivoli in night-time rendezvous with Arnett
Rivoli United will have their first chance this season to turn out in a Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) Monday Night fixture when they travel to Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex today to battle defending champions Arnett Gardens FC.
The game is scheduled to start 8:40 pm.
Rivoli United are 11th in the 12-team table with 22 points, while Arnett Gardens, who have two games in hand on leaders Montego Bay United (54 points), are second with 49 points.
Bradley Stewart, the Rivoli technical director, has been in charge for four games since returning for his third stint at the club. He believes matching Arnett’s speed will be important.
“I think if we can match up with Arnett’s strengths in terms of their speed and what they do in terms of the combinations they play, and try to neutralise them, we’ll have a good chance,” he told the Jamaica Observer at Thursday’s Red Stripe press conference at the beer company’s headquarters.
He conceded that there is a lot of strain on the club because of its low position in the RSPL points standing.
“When you are at the bottom sometimes a lot of pressure comes on you. I’m trying to present the game to the players in a way that they will go on and enjoy what it is. Hopefully we get a good result out of the game,” said the veteran coach.
Since he took over, Rivoli beat Boys’ Town FC, then lost to Tivoli Gardens FC, FC Reno, and Portmore United.
Arnett’s Head Coach Jerome Waite says he expects Rivoli to be hard to beat. He pointed to previous results as examples of how stubborn they are. Earlier this season, Arnett won 2-1 at the Anthony Spaulding venue, while there was a 1-1 result at Rivoli’s Spanish Town base.
“Despite Rivoli being in the relegation zone; it’s a tough team. They play very physical, so it won’t be an easy game. Over the years the games are always close and it’s not a landslide in terms of the results,” said Waite.
The Arnett team will be leaving for the Dominican Republic shortly to take part in the Caribbean Club Championship. Waite said this game will offer meaningful fine-tuning for that tournament.
“This is the last game before departing to the club championship and we’re using this as preparation as well,” he said.
