Defending champions Cavalier SC and Montego Bay United advanced to the semi-final of the Jamaican Premier League with exciting wins over Portmore United and Tivoli Gardens at Sabina Patk on Monday night.

Cavalier defeated Portmore United 1-0 on the night courtesy of an extra-time Dwayne Atkinson goal in the 97^th minute and won the two-legged tie 2-1 on aggregate.

Portmore had only themselves to blame for missing several opportunities, including a penalty by Emelio Rosseau in the 23^rd minute.

They will now meet second-ranked Arnett Gardens in the semi-final starting on Thursday at Catherine Hall in St James.

Meanwhile, Montego Bay United drew 1-1 with a Tivoli Gardens outfit that ended the game with nine men, losing goalkeeper Nicholas Clarke (74^th) and striker Lennox Russell (82^nd).

Montego Bay, which last won the JPL in 2016, won the playoff 3-2 on aggregate and will face the might of Mount Pleasant in the semi-final scheduled for Thursday.

In a dramatic encounter, Jourdaine Fletcher missed a 73rd-minute shot and booted the rebound high in the sky.

But substitute Brian Brown calmed their nerves expertly slotting home in the 86th minute before Malik Cocking pulled Tivoli Gardens levelled in the 90+3 minute.

The semi-finals will be a true reflection of the league as the top four teams, Mount Pleasant, Arnett Gardens, Montego Bay United and Cavalier in that order, are in the last four.

The stage is set for some epic battles to decide not only the Jamaican champion, but who gets to represent the country in the Caribbean tournaments.