Roma counting on the ‘12th man’
From Cayman Islands Football Association
Roma United S.C are convinced they have the fire power to overcome Bodden Town F.C in the President’s Cup Final, but they are welcoming the support from their fans for the Ash Wednesday Championship match.
Represented mostly by Jamaican born nationals living in the Cayman Islands, Roma United has arguably the biggest fan base of top flight teams.
The T.E. Mcfield Sports Complex – ‘The Annex’, where the final will be played, is their home field. A factor they feel sets them up for success on February, 18.
“The crowd is our 12th man, win or lose”, said Roma United Manager George Thomas. “We know they are going to be there, our fans criticise when we lose and cheer us when we win; Roma United is a source of pride inspiration to the community.”
A rivalry which has largely been dominated by the champions. However, Thomas believes his team has the motivation to turn around past results.
“We want to win”, Thomas asserted. “It’s our captain Keegan Atkinson’s birthday and he wants this one. We lost to Bodden Town in the 2013 season and we hope to redeem ourselves this time, by playing hard, scoring goals and playing excellent defence.”
In spurts Roma has shown their class this season. In the fourteen weeks of the Premier League season, Roma has shown spurts of their capability to compete at the highest level.
Admittedly Thomas expected more from his team at the start of the year but blamed injuries to key players for his team’s mixed fortunes in the top flight.
“It’s been a good season but it’s been slightly underachieved,” Thomas added. “During the start of the season we got a lot of injuries to key players like Kirk Rowe who needed knee surgery.”
Now with the first Championship final of the season before them, let’s see if Roma can find the right formula.
Roma vs Bodden Town kicks off at 8 pm on Wednesday February 18, 2015 at the T.E. Mcfield Sports Complex. The women’s final Sunset S.C. versus Scholars International precedes the men’s championship at 5 pm.
IMAGES:
Roma United Club expects support from loyal fans
Roma United on the move against Sunset in the semis
Thomas believes Roma has the fire power
SOURCE: http://caymanfootball.com/roma-counting-on-the-12th-man/