Semifinal places up for grabs in JFF Championships
PORTLAND, Jamaica — At least one more team could secure their place in the semi-finals of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Championships as the first round of the competition winds down with the penultimate round of games set to be played on Saturday.
Tru-Juice FC, who are in second place on 44 points, 10 behind leaders and qualifiers Racing United, can make it back-to-back semi-final qualification if they can beat Portlanders FC in their return round game set for Lynch Park in Buff Bay, Portland.
The race for the top four places could go down to the final day with just six teams having any hopes of getting into the semi-finals and continuing to chase a place in the Jamaica Premier League next season.
Tru-Juice had beaten Portlanders FC 6-1 in their first-round meeting and after beating Chapelton Maroons 2-0 on Wednesday, another win today would secure their place in the semi-finals.
Racing United, who were held 1-1 by relegation-bound Falmouth United on Wednesday, will hope to rebound to winning ways when they take on Browns Town who they had beaten 4-2 in the first round.
Third-placed Reno FC could also take a place in the top four with a win over Meadforest FC, who are coming off a big 10-3 beating of St Bess United on Wednesday.
Reno FC are on 39 points and are unbeaten over their last five outings and will hope to beat the Corporate Area team for the second time this season after winning 1-0 away in the first round.
Chapelton Maroons are in fourth place, a point behind Reno FC and on goal-difference ahead of Baptist Alliance and faces out of contention Petersfield FC at home.
Baptist Alliance are coming off a 3-1 win over Faulkland FC in Montego Bay on Wednesday and a win over St Bess United today would keep them in the race for a place in the semis.