Mt Pleasant begin Caribbean Shield sojourn

Defending Concacaf Caribbean Cup champions Mount Pleasant Football Academy make their debut in the Concacaf Caribbean Shield this evening against Weymouth Wales of Barbados at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago, starting at 12:30 p.m. (local time).

Coach Theodore Whitmore knows only a place in the final of this tournament will afford his team the opportunity to defend their regional crown.

Nevertheless, he believes they have the experience, the motivation and the quality to see themselves past the Barbadian team for a place in the semi-finals.

“Our first encounter is against Weymouth Wales. We have seen them. We know the level of competitiveness they offer and we are up for it.

“We have been training for the past three and a half weeks, so we are in a decent condition to go out there and give a good account of ourselves.

“We have players that would have won (Caribbean Cup) and it is the motivation for them and others to do well in this competition.

“We know the objective (Caribbean Cup). We know the task at hand and where we want to go from here, and that will allow our interest to do well in this competition.

“I am very confident, but I must emphasise on the execution. We have experienced players who would have played in the Caribbean (Cup) tournament and we have a mixture of experience and youth, and we are looking forward to it and to execute,” he said

Sturdy challenge

Last year, Weymouth Wales defeated Cavalier 2-1 in the Caribbean Cup and Whitmore expects the Bajans to present a sturdy challenge, but one he expects his team to overcome.

“We want to respect our opponent. They are seasoned campaigners and we know what they can offer. We have to go out and focus on Mount Pleasant and get the job done.”

The Jamaican team were expected to open their campaign against All Saints on Saturday, but their Antiguan opponents withdrew, giving Mount Pleasant a bye into the last 16.

“We would have rathered to go into the game with a game under our belt,” said Whitmore. “Nonetheless, it is what it is. We have to focus on what needs be done and get it done.

“They are a very competitive, very physical team, but once we can go out as a unit and stay compact and stay organised, we will see ways where we can hurt them. So we have to go out and do what we are capable of doing.”

The former national midfielder and coach is also pleased with the way his new recruits, Trayvone Reid, Nickalia Fuller, Kevaughn Wilson and Ricardo Thomas, are adjusting to life at the club and is looking for them to continue where they left off with their previous clubs.

“They are accustomed to playing against or with some of these players. They are here and they seem to be enjoying the Mount Pleasant family so far. So we look forward to their first game and to continue where they have left off.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com