Mt Pleasant, Cibao expect no quarters

Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore, head coach of Mount Pleasant Football Academy, says the pressure will be on his team when they begin the defence of their Concacaf Caribbean Cup title today against Cibao FC of the Dominican Republic.

Mount Pleasant will face Cibao in Group B action at the National Stadium, with kick-off set for 5 p.m.

The St Ann-based club, which claimed its maiden Caribbean Cup title last year, will enter the contest full of confidence following its success in the CFU Club Shield.

Mount Pleasant lifted the Club Shield title, and Whitmore said the competition provided his squad with much-needed competitive minutes ahead of the regional tournament.

However, he is aware that the Caribbean Cup will present a higher level of opposition and is confident his players are ready for the challenge.

“It all starts [today], so we just have to look for a good performance and hope we can get the result.

“It was a good tournament, taking all things into consideration. It gave us some good competitive games, especially coming into a tournament of this magnitude. I think the guys are upbeat, we are looking forward to it,” Whitmore said.

“We know it’s two different competitions. This one, we are up against better opponents but I think we are ready overall.”

Whitmore said Cibao will pose a particularly difficult challenge, describing them as one of the region’s stronger teams.

Cibao are the third-highest-ranked Caribbean club, just behind Mount Pleasant, who are ranked second.

The Dominican Republic outfit are no strangers to the Caribbean Cup, having reached the semi-finals in each of the last two editions and finishing runners-up in 2024.

Whitmore said his team will need to set the tone early and remain disciplined in executing its game plan.

“There’s a lot you can expect from the Cibao team,” Whitmore admitted.

“They can be physical at times, and as much as you want to respect the opponent, we have our job as a team to do as well. We want to establish our game well out there,” he continued.

“We want to defend as a unit, both in and out of possession. So, it’s an overall approach against the Cibao team tomorrow.”

NOT AN EASY TEAM

Cibao assistant coach Santiago Beltran echoed Whitmore’s sentiments during his pre-match interview.

Beltran said his team is preparing for a difficult encounter against Mount Pleasant, whom he described as “not an easy team”.

He also revealed that Cibao will take the field with a revamped squad in what he views as a must-win match.

“We have a new team with new players, so we’re preparing and training hard for this match. We know that Mt Pleasant is not an easy team, they are a hard team with good players,” Beltran said.

“We are so concentrated to be here, and we know we have to come and win this game.”

Cibao are currently joint second in the Group B standings following an opening-day draw with Cavalier.

They trail leaders Salcedo, who have three points, while Mount Pleasant are at the foot of the table, having not yet played a match.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com