Portmore ready for second leg CONCACAF League battle

Newly appointed Portmore United coach Shavar Thomas says his team will be looking to maintain its advantage against CD Plaza Amador in the second leg round-of-sixteen clash in the CONCACAF League tonight at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City Panama City, starting at 7 p.m.

The Jamaican club edged the Panamanians 1-0 in the first leg last Wednesday at the National Stadium. Jeremie Lynch netted for Portmore in the 73rd minute.

Thomas is expecting a tough game against CD Plaza Amador.

Advantage Portmore

"We have the advantage, so we know they will have to come at us. It will be a tough game, they have the home field advantage and are used to the conditions there.

We also expect the crowd to be behind them as well. We know the task we have, we have prepared tactically, physically and mentally, and once we apply what we have addressed as a team, I am confident that we can get a favourable result. We have a good mixture of young and experienced players, and they are eager to go out there and express themselves on the pitch," said Thomas.

Strong defensive display

"We had a very strong defensive display at home, not just from the back four, but the team on a whole defended as a group and prevented the Plaza team from getting an away goal which is crucial in this competition.

We are now the away team, so while we already have the lead, we will definitely be trying to add to that, especially with the away goal rule in effect," Thomas concluded.

The winners of the tie will advance to the quarter-final stage scheduled to start on August 17.The inaugural Scotiabank CONCACAF League champions will earn a berth to the CONCACAF Champions League slated for February to May 2018.

The winners of the CONCACAF Champions League will represent the region at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in December 2018.