Inexperience hurt Frazsiers Whip – Coach
Published:Thursday | August 22, 2024 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
COACH OF Frazsiers Whip Christopher Dowdy said their second-half meltdown, in their opening Group A Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup game against Costa Rican team Alajuelense, was due to the inexperience of their team and players at this level.
After holding the hosts scoreless for 59 minutes, Frazsiers Whip conceded five goals in a 20-minute spell to lose 5-0, but Dowdy thought they were excellent for an hour.
“I wouldn’t say anything went wrong. In the second half, I just think our inexperience kicked in and we were up against a team of professional players while our team is comprised of students.
“The ladies did well in the first half, but after the second half, the inexperience kicked in, and we had a little panic after the first goal, and by the time they regained their feet, it was a little too late,” he said.
It took the home team 59 minutes to break down the visitors when Maria Coto broke the deadlock.
Two minutes later, Natalie Mills made it 2-0 before Kenia Rangel added a third three minutes later. Substitute Anyela Mesen then added a brace (71st and 81st)) to seal the win.
Dowdy, however, thought their first-half application was spot on.
“The first half was exactly how we would have wanted the team to play. After analysing the opponents, we would have set out a target for how we would have wanted the team to play, and the first 45 minutes went exactly how we trained and how we would have wanted the game to go.
“But these girls are playing at this stage for the very first time, and compared to our league back home, this is far different.
“It goes to show the level we were playing at, so I think how they started off the tournament especially the first 45 minutes, was excellent.
“Even the goals we conceded were some errors at the back. But the ladies did well, and we are pleased, but there are definitely some things to work on and fix going forward,” he said.
He said that after getting their first taste of international football, his players are now highly motivated to improve personally and as a group.
“That is the aim. To improve as players and as a team. Before the game started, most of the girls were very nervous, playing in a foreign country and at a different level for the first time. But they held their nerve. But the experience of the Costa Rican team really came through and showed in the second half,” he added.
Frazsiers will play their next game on September 5 in Mexico against Monterrey.