Sun | Sep 15, 2024

Every point matters – Speid

Published:Wednesday | September 4, 2024 | 12:07 AM
Rudolph Speid speaks to his charges during a Concacaf Caribbean Cup game between Cavalier and Police FC at Sabina Park last week.
Rudolph Speid speaks to his charges during a Concacaf Caribbean Cup game between Cavalier and Police FC at Sabina Park last week.

WITH THE first two match weeks of the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup concluded, Cavalier FC head coach Rudolph Speid believes every point will matter as he expects the fate of the clubs in the group stages will come down to the final match day.

Following his team’s 4-1 drumming of Trinidadian outfit Police FC last week, Speid said the competitive nature of the group means every team will have a shot at advancing to the knockout stages.

With this in mind, dropping points at any stage could prove decisive on a team’s chances to progress.

“These three points were most valuable because just before the game, we were not leading the group anymore because Mount Pleasant were also on three points,” Speid explained.

“Let us not watch the games played because points are on the board and it was very important that we got these three points and got back to the top of the table. This zone will not be decided until the last game.”

Hoping to repeat success

Cavalier, the Jamaican champions, currently sit atop Group A with six points from two games following wins against Mount Pleasant and Police FC.

The Kingston-based team will be hoping to repeat their success from last season where they qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup through a runner-up placement in the Caribbean Cup.

Sitting just behind them are Mount Pleasant who recovered from their opening day 2-0 defeat to Cavalier and got the better of Arnett Gardens 2-1 in match week two.

Mount Pleasant are hoping they can continue their good form throughout the rest of the competition after reappointing head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore.

Jahshaun Anglin, one of Mount Pleasant’s newest recruits in the summer transfer window, said the goal of the club is to keep winning so they can get to next phase.

“It was a good performance from the guys,” Anglin said.

“We just need to build on this and know that we have a next match coming forward and we come again and get the three points. The goal for this Caribbean Cup is to just get the trophy and bring it to St Ann.”

Real Hope Football Academy and Police FC sit third and fourth in the group with both teams having a point apiece, while Arnett Gardens sit at the foot of the table without a point.

The next match week of the Caribbean Cup is set for September 17, which sees Cavalier facing Real Hope at Sabina Park.

On September 19, Police FC will play hosts to Arnett Gardens at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com