1 week ago
6
SPORTING DIRECTOR of Mount Pleasant Academy, Paul Christie, says his team will not be taking any chances despite holding a commanding 5-1 advantage over Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force heading into today’s Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-final second leg at the National Stadium, starting at 6 pm.
Mount Pleasant, who are aiming to capture their first-ever Concacaf Caribbean Cup title, were dominant in the first leg on October 22, outclassing Defence Force 5-1 in Trinidad and Tobago.
However, Christie said his team’s preparations for today’s match have been affected by the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa last Tuesday, which left a trail of devastation across the western end of the island.
“The dynamics have significantly shifted based on the fact that Jamaica is in a state of recovery from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa and our players are predominantly from Jamaica, and the overseas players who are here would have been affected,” Christie said.
“The hurricane would have interrupted our schedule, but we are a resilient people and we have found a way to prepare for this assignment. It is our hope and dream to complete this task, but we know better than to assume that the task is finished.”
Christie warned that despite Mount Pleasant’s big lead, the Trinidadians remain a formidable side capable of turning things around.
“The Defence Force is a formidable opponent and they are in the semifinal, and they are also aware that it is a task, but it is not over for them,” he said.
“So we are mindful of that and we are coming out to do the best that we can and to get a positive result. We are confident but not too overconfident because we are aware this is a worthy opponent, and we are 100 per cent not taking them for granted. We will do the best that we can and live with the results.”
Christie also stated that Mount Pleasant will be using tonight’s match as part of a donation drive to assist those affected by Hurricane Melissa.
“We are also hoping that the Jamaican people come out and support our efforts because we are presently in a donation drive and admission is free for this fixture,” he said.
“We are imploring the Jamaican people who can donate to donate $1,000 so that we can help our brothers and sisters who are adversely affected by Hurricane Melissa with their recovery.”
Defence Force coach, Devon Jorsling, is under no illusions about the gap between the teams, but promises that the effort of his charges could spring surprises for the hosts.
“We know that we’re going there with no expectation to qualify, but we will go with the attitude to try to win the game, and we know in football, funny things have happened,” said the Defence Force coach.
According to Jorsling, the first-leg defeat proved Mount Pleasant were fitter and faster to the ball, but that his team has learnt from the experience.
Robert Bailey
English (US) ·