Mt Pleasant coach careful about execution

Mount Pleasant Football Academy head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore says his team must deliver when they face Trinidad and Tobago’s Club Sando in the first leg of their Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-final today.

Mount Pleasant will take on Club Sando in the away leg at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jamaica time.

The reigning Caribbean Cup champions are hoping to make history by becoming the first team to successfully defend the title.

Whitmore said the match represents an important opportunity for the St Ann-based club to demonstrate its progress on the regional stage.

However, he warned that all of their preparation would count for little if the players fail to execute on the day.

“It’s a great feeling. Personally, this is something that we want to do. This is to show that we are doing something, and we are heading in the right direction,” Whitmore said.

“It’s very important what we do from now to really achieve the objective that we set out to achieve.”

Mount Pleasant will be seeking to turn their ambitions into a strong performance against Club Sando after narrowly advancing to the knockout stage.

They topped Group B on seven points but needed a victory over Cavalier on the final day of the group stage to secure qualification.

With only four matches separating them from a successful title defence, Whitmore said it would be disappointing to fall at this stage.

“I think we are in a good mood. Going out there and not executing and not getting the desired result will be disappointing, so we don’t want to take anything for granted,” he said.

“Again, it’s coming down to [today] and how we execute on the day that will make the difference.”

‘SAME MINDSET’

Mount Pleasant’s Nickalia Fuller echoed his coach’s sentiments, insisting that the team’s mentality has remained consistent throughout the season.

Fuller joined Mount Pleasant from Tivoli Gardens during the summer and has been a key figure in their push for the title.

In his short time at the club, Fuller has already enjoyed success, helping Mount Pleasant capture the CFU Club Shield title, and is eager to add the Caribbean Cup to his growing list of achievements.

“The mindset has been the same. From the first game, from the start of this season, from when we played the first tournament here, which we won to be in this competition, it’s the same mindset,” Fuller said.

“The players are definitely ready, and they are fully focused for this game. It means a lot to us, so we are ready,” he said.

Mount Pleasant will be aiming to secure a crucial advantage in the first leg, knowing that the away-goals rule remains in effect in the Caribbean Cup.

They will host Club Sando in the second leg at Sabina Park on October 22.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com