With the number of participating clubs in the TT Pro League decreasing from ten to six over the 2010 edition of the First Citizens Cup, the format of the cup was changed from a knockout tournament to a competition with two phases. The quarterfinal round was converted into a single round-robin group phase with the top two teams in each three-team group advancing to the semifinals. The second phase, including the semifinals and final, of the league cup remained a single-elimination knockout tournament with each group winner facing the other group's runner-up. The draw for the group stage took place on 14 September 2011 at the First Citizens corporate box in Queen's Park Oval. Following the random drawing for the group stage, San Juan Jabloteh, St. Ann's Rangers, and T&TEC were placed into Group A. Whereas, W Connection, Caledonia AIA, and North East Stars were drawn into Group B. All matches in the competition were staged in the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.
Schedule
The schedule for the 2011 First Citizens Cup, as announced by the TT Pro League:
The group stage featured the 6 teams from the TT Pro League competing the year's edition of the First Citizens Cup. In each group, teams played against each other once in a single round-robin format. The quarterfinal matchdays were on 16 September, 20 September, and 23 September 2011. The group winners and runners-up advanced to the semifinals, while the third-placed teams were eliminated from the competition. If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group matches, the following criteria are applied to determine the rankings :
Higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question;
Superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question;
Higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question;
Group A
The new format of the First Citizens Cup began with a group stage on 16 September 2011. In a match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, St. Ann's Rangers and Pro League newcomer T&TEC settled for a goalless draw. On the second matchday on 20 September, San Juan Jabloteh needed second-half goals from Willis Plaza, Hector Sam, and Luke Gullick to rally from a 4–1 deficit to settle for a 4–4 draw with T&TEC. With the winner of San Juan Jabloteh and St. Ann's Rangers match advancing to the semifinals, Jason Marcano registered a goal in the 61st minute to propel the San Juan Kings to top Group A on four points. T&TEC advanced as Group A runners-up with draws in each of their two matches.
Team
San Juan Jabloteh
2
1
1
0
6
5
+1
4
T&TEC
2
0
2
0
4
4
0
2
St. Ann's Rangers
2
0
1
1
1
2
−1
1
---- ---- ----
Group B
On 16 September 2011, W Connection grabbed a 4–2 win over Caledonia AIA to top the Group of Death after the first matchday. On 20 September, W Connection defeated North East Stars 4–1 to win Group B and advance to the semifinals with a perfect six points from their two matches. Caledonia AIA used an Akim Armstrongbrace to defeat North East Stars 2–0 and advance to the semifinals as runners-up in Group B.
Team
W Connection
2
2
0
0
8
3
+5
6
Caledonia AIA
2
1
0
1
4
4
0
3
North East Stars
2
0
0
2
1
6
−5
0
---- ----
Knockout phase
In the knockout phase, teams played against each other in a single-elimination tournament in the semifinals and final. San Juan Jabloteh finished as Group A winners and faced the runners-up from Group B, the Morvant/Laventille Stallions of Caledonia AIA. Moreover, the second semifinal match featured two undefeated teams with W Connection entering as winners of Group B and T&TEC, with two draws from two matches, as the Group A runners-up. All matches were played for 90 minutes duration, at the end of which if the match was still tied, penalty-kicks were used to determine the match winner.
Bracket
Semifinals
In the surprise of the tournament, the Electricity Boys of T&TEC defeated W Connection 4–3 after a penalty shootout at the end of a 1–1 semifinal draw on 30 September 2011. Romauld Aguillera scored in the 21st minute to give T&TEC a 1–0 lead at the break. However, Jerrel Britto scored his third goal of the tournament to level the scoreline at 1–1 after regulation. In the penalty shootout, Akini Adams saved two penalties from Joevin Jones and Jerrel Britto to send T&TEC into the final. In the other semifinal, Jamal Gay scored two second-half goals to cancel out a first-half penalty kick from San Juan Jabloteh's Marvin Oliver and give Caledonia AIA a 2–1 win. ---- ----
Final
In the final on 14 October 2011 at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Sylvester Teesdale scored a goal in the 15th minute to give T&TEC an early 1–0 lead. However, Kareem Joseph equalized for Caledonia AIA nine minutes later to send the match into half-time at 1–1. In the second half, Joseph scored the eventual match winning goal from the penalty spot to give the Morvant/Laventille Stallions their first First Citizens Cup title.
