Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 14, 2011 Sports
Tickets for CFC Football matches cost $1,000
By Sean Devers
Manager of the Alpha United Football Club, Odinga Lumumba, is hoping for large crowds when Puerto Rico’s River Plate oppose his team in the second round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship at the Guyana National Stadium tomorrow night from 20:00hrs and again on Sunday at Bourda from 15:00hrs.
Lumumba, speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Water Christ Hotel, disclosed that a grudge match between Pele and Western Tigers will be contested from 18:00hrs before the CFU game tomorrow night adding that tickets for tomorrow and Sunday cost $1,000 and can be purchased at the match venues.
River Plate drew with Alpha 1-all to knock the Guyanese out of last year’s competition and Lumumba described the Argentine club side, which is based in Puerto Rica, as very ‘formidable’ opponents. He said the top four teams advance to the CONCACAF stage of the tournament and said these matches were good for the players since they provide plenty of exposure for them.
Alpha gained a walk over into the second round after their Antiguan opponents had to withdraw due to financial constraints and with the tag of two-times defending National Super League Champions under their belt and the last Kashif and Shanghai title in their bag, Lumumba, known for throwing plenty of verbal punches, said that the match officials are all from Trinidad which should reassure River Plate that the officiating will be neutral when they are beaten 4-nil as he patted a physiological pass into the visitor’s mental defence.
Alpha’s Coach Dwayne Dover, who is also the National Coach, explained that he is very satisfied with preparations so far and said his team is ready for this weekend’s challenge.
“We played them last year and we know their style of play and have been preparing for it. But in Football a team can come with a different approach and we will be ready to quickly adjust and adapt to what is presented to us if they come out with a different style from what we expect,” a confident Dover noted.
The River Plate Manager had told Kaieteur Sport on Tuesday night that as part of their preparations his players found out about the Alpha style of play and expected a very physical game.
“They (Guyana) are more English Football oriented while we play a more South American style with lots of short passes. We will live and die with our style of play and while we understand the National Stadium should be a fast ground, we are ready for the matches here,” Dunn noted.
He said that he was pleased that both venues have natural grass since due to their style of Football his players hate artificial grass.
Lumumba said he would not publicly reveal any game strategy that his team might employ since he said ‘this is war and we cannot give out our secrets’ but assured that all plans were in place for success.
“Success gives you motivation to do more and we have been working hard for this. I will not say anything about what we will do during the game. When they turn up only then will they (River Plate) find out what style we used to beat them,” the Manager added.
With Alpha and Guyana Captain Howard Lowe, National player Dwain Jacobs and Coach Dover as back up, Lumumba said that playing both games at home is ‘a good and bad thing’ but said he would think that playing in familiar conditions was an advantage for his team.
River Plate Manager Claudio Alvarez Dunn who was also present with Skipper Petter Villegas, who hails from Ecuador and Christopher Megaloudis, said that River Plate was forced to ‘give up’ home advantage for their return game because the Football Stadium in Puerto Rico is under construction and will not be ready until August.
He also lamented that five of his key team members are still in Argentina awaiting Visas but added that although the ‘new’ players did not have much time to make the adjustment to fitting in the team, he was confident of success.
“Having all this delay with the Visa issue, which should have been already sorted out is sometimes not good for the professionalism of the Sport and I hope those in authority understand the importance of the players getting their Visas as we aim to move to the next stage of the competition,” Dunn stated.
Dunn said his team’s schedule is hectic since they are presently playing in three major competitions (CFU, USL & Puerto Rico League) and their goal is to win all three.
He added that apart from the Captain and Christopher Megaloudis, who were both present yesterday and who have played for Puerto Rico, Francois Frantz represented the Haiti national side and Goalkeeper Craig Alan Hill was drafted by the Dallas FC in the MLS league and should play key roles against the Guyanese.
Alpha was scheduled to have a two-hour practice session last evening from 18:00hrs at the Stadium and Lumumba urged the fans to come out tomorrow and Sunday to show their support.
“Home advantage is always great when the crowds turn out but it could also force the other team to pay more attention on being mentally prepared. Also come players could be nervous playing in front of their family and friends and put pressure on them selves…. but I think playing at home is an advantage,” Lumumba opined.
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