Trinidad and Tobago Classic

TOYOTA Classic
Founded2005
RegionTrinidad and Tobago
Number of teams16
Current championsSan Juan Jabloteh
(2nd title)
Most successful club(s)W Connection
(3 titles)
WebsiteTOYOTA 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.[3] 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.[3]

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
Italics Team from outside the top level of Trinidad and Tobago football
Season Winner Score Runners–up Venue
2005
 W Connection
1–0
 San Juan Jabloteh Manny Ramjohn Stadium
2006
 United Petrotrin
4–0
 Superstar Rangers Manny Ramjohn Stadium
2007
 Joe Public
2–1
 San Juan Jabloteh Hasely Crawford Stadium
2008
 San Juan Jabloteh
2–1
 St. Ann's Rangers Hasely Crawford Stadium
2009
 Joe Public (2)
4–0
 San Juan Jabloteh Marvin Lee Stadium
2010
 Ma Pau † 1–1† North East Stars Marvin Lee Stadium
2011
 W Connection (2) † 0–0† T&TEC Manny Ramjohn Stadium
2012
 North East Stars † 2–2† Defence Force Hasely Crawford Stadium
2013
 W Connection (3)
2–0
 Club Sando Ato Boldon Stadium
2014
 San Juan Jabloteh (2) † 1–1† Point Fortin Civic Ato Boldon Stadium

Results by team

Club Wins Last final won Runners-up Last final lost
W Connection 3 2013 0
Joe Public 2 2009 0
San Juan Jabloteh 2 2014 3 2009
North East Stars 1 2012 1 2010
Ma Pau 1 2010 0
United Petrotrin 1 2006 0
St. Ann's Rangers 0 2 2008
Club Sando 0 1 2013
Defence Force 0 1 2012
Point Fortin Civic 0 1 2014
T&TEC 0 1 2011

References

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