Trinidad and Tobago Classic explained

TOYOTA Classic
Founded:2005
Number Of Teams:16
Region:Trinidad and Tobago
Current Champions:San Juan Jabloteh
(2nd title)
Most Successful Club:W Connection
(3 titles)
Website:TOYOTA Classic

The Trinidad and Tobago Classic, or commonly known as the TOYOTA Classic, is a knockout tournament for teams in Trinidad and Tobago's TT Pro League and National Super League. The football competition began in 2005, with TOYOTA as the primary sponsor, and is currently contested each October and November following the Pro League and Super League seasons.

The inaugural competition was contested between San Juan Jabloteh and W Connection, with the Savonetta Boys claiming their first title with a 1 - 0 win. United Petrotrin claimed the trophy in 2006, as well as, Joe Public capturing their first in 2007. San Juan Jabloteh took the trophy in 2008 with a win over St. Ann's Rangers in Hasely Crawford Stadium.[1] Joe Public became the first club in 2009 to win the TOYOTA Classic twice. In 2010, Ma Pau won their first competitive trophy after defeating North East Stars in the Classic's first final decided on a penalty shootout. W Connection became the second club to win the Classic in 2011 by defeating Pro League newcomers T&TEC. North East Stars defeated Defence Force 4–2 on penalties after the match ended in a 2–2 draw in the 2012 final.[2]

The current theme is It's a Hard Road to the Final and There Are No Free Rides, with the winner receiving TT$50,000 and the runners-up collecting TT$35,000.[3]

Format

The knockout tournament begins in the first round with all TT Pro League teams automatically entering the competition. Following each National Super League season, the top eight teams in the final league table qualify and enter in the first round as well.

The draw for the first round is performed prior to the start of the tournament. The 16 teams in the competition, valued at TT$85,000 in total sponsorship, are drawn into four groups, all named after TOYOTA branded vehicles, Terios (Group A), Sirion (Group B), Delta (Group C), and Daihatsu (Group D) and are seeded based on their positions in their respective leagues. Clubs from the Super League look forward to meeting a Pro League team at home. Top-ranked teams look for easy opposition, but have to be on their guard against lower teams with ambition.

All matches are played over two 45 minutes halves, and in the process the match is drawn at the end of regulation time, penalty kicks shall determine the winner.

Finals

Results

Key
Match decided in extra time
Match decided by a penalty shootout after regulation time
Match decided by a penalty shootout after extra time
ItalicsTeam from outside the top level of Trinidad and Tobago football
SeasonWinnerScoreRunners–upVenue
W ConnectionSan Juan JablotehManny Ramjohn Stadium
United PetrotrinSuperstar RangersManny Ramjohn Stadium
Joe PublicSan Juan JablotehHasely Crawford Stadium
San Juan JablotehSt. Ann's RangersHasely Crawford Stadium
Joe Public (2)San Juan JablotehMarvin Lee Stadium
Ma Pau 1 - 1North East StarsMarvin Lee Stadium
W Connection (2) 0 - 0T&TECManny Ramjohn Stadium
North East Stars 2 - 2Defence ForceHasely Crawford Stadium
W Connection (3)Club SandoAto Boldon Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh (2) 1 - 1Point Fortin CivicAto Boldon Stadium

Results by team

ClubWinsLast final wonRunners-upLast final lost
W Connection320130
Joe Public220090
San Juan Jabloteh2201432009
North East Stars1201212010
Ma Pau120100
United Petrotrin120060
St. Ann's Rangers022008
Club Sando012013
Defence Force012012
Point Fortin Civic012014
T&TEC012011

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Jabloteh wins treble. Randy Bando (TTProLeague). 2008-12-20. 2009-10-04.
  2. News: Stars triumph puts S/Grande over the moon. Lasana Liburd (Wired868.com). 2012-12-08. 2012-12-08.
  3. News: Joe Public starts title defence. Randy Bando (TTProLeague). 2008-12-20. 2009-10-04.