CCL experience instructive for Alpha United

Sep 17, 2014 Sports

With just a single game remaining before his team wrap up their 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League sojourn, Alpha United head coach Wayne Dover believes that the experience offered many lessons for the future.

Alpha United (red jersey) in CONCACAF Champions League action against Honduras’ Olimpia on August 5, 2014. (Photo: Adrian Narine)

Thanks to three straight Group 5 defeats, Alpha have already been eliminated from the competition. The Hammer lost both games against Olimpia (1-0 home, 6-0 away) and fell to the visiting Portland Timbers (4-1). It still must make the long trip to Portland for a September 23 fixture. The results have taken their toll on his players, Dover admitted.
“We have lost 3 of the 4 games to date and it has its effect on the team in terms of their confidence,” said Dover. “However, the coaching staff is working diligently with the players to rebuild that confidence going into the final game away on the 23rd of this month.”
The successful local coach is of the view that competing at the CONCACAF level is challenging for non-pro teams.
“There’s a serious disadvantage,” he noted. “The pro teams are better organized, have well-structured leagues, good infrastructure to train and play games, much fitter and tactically disciplined players.”
Dover, though, has identified a number of positives. “I’ve learnt how easily you could be dismantled if you are not organized in your games,” he commented. “I’ve learnt how important it is to take your chances when you create them. I’ve learnt that there’s no room for mistakes at this level. You must be disciplined tactically for more than 90 minutes at this level.” (CONCACAF.com)

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