‘History is out the door’

AFTER TOPPING the preliminary group with a perfect record, Mount Pleasant will look to take a step closer to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final when they play away to Defence Force of Trinidad and Tobago in their first-leg semi-final at the Hasley Crawford Stadium this evening at 5 p.m.

Mount Pleasant dominated Group A, winning all four matches to top the group with 12 points, scoring seven goals without conceding.

Despite their impressive group stage showing, assistant coach Davian Ferguson said that that stage of the competition is now behind them and they must focus on the immediate task at hand.

“What we have achieved so far has been good. But history is out the door. Tomorrow (today) is a new game, and both of us (teams) start from zero. So it’s important to start the game with the right mindset,” he said.

“We can’t be busy thinking about the past. We have to focus on the future and how we can create a beautiful story for ourselves, Jamaica, and our supporters.”

Group B runners up, Defence Force, had two wins, a draw, and a loss in their four matches.

The Trinidad and Tobago team scored five goals and conceded three over the group stage. However, their only defeat came at the hands of outgoing champions Cavalier of Jamaica, who beat them 2-1.

Nevertheless, the Trinidadians ended the preliminary stage on a high after scoring a 2-0 away win over group winners Cibao to secure their place in the last four.

Although Mount Pleasant will start favourites, and are expected to go and win the competition, Ferguson said they expect a high-quality game from their opponents, especially at home.

GOOD TEAM

“They are a quality team. We would have seen a few of their games and we think they would have also seen us play. I would say (they are) a good team. They have done well in their domestic league and in Concacaf. So they are a strong team, a team we take very seriously.

“They are in the semi-finals, and that’s no mean feat. So we expect them to be at a good level,” he said.

Ferguson added that playing away from home always has its challenges and he expects this tie to be no different, nevertheless, he said the intention is to come back home with an advantage.

“It (playing away) always does. We played four games in the first round. Two away and two at home. We won all four. But it’s definitely a factor. This is a strong team. This is the Caribbean Cup and it is nation versus nation.

“It’s an away game. But one we relish. We are not afraid to go into any environment and deliver the result as we always try to get a positive result. It’s two legs and it’s important to get an advantage, whatever that advantage is, that we take back to Jamaica next week.”

The St Ann club will look to new captain Daniel Green, who has been performing at a very high level throughout the competition, and Gadail Irving, who has proven to be very dangerous from crosses and set-pieces.

Striker Raheem Edwards is expected to spearhead the attack, while Jahshaun Anglin and Demario Phillips should provide good support from deep.

Coach Theodore Whitmore also has high-quality options, including recent signings Tyreek Magee and Lamar Walker, along with Alex Marshall, Ronaldo Biggs, Shaquile Bradford, and Chevaughn Walsh.

Defence Force’s hopes will hinge on striker Shaquille Bertrand, wingers Kaihim Thomas, Isiah Leacock, and Tyrese Bailey as well as attacking midfielder Kevin Molino.

while Cassim Keller and Joshua Araujo-Wilson will lead the Trinidadian charge from defence.

The other first-leg semi-final, played simultaneously, will see two Dominican Republic teams Universidad O&M and Cibao facing off at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, Santo Domingo.