Cavalier well prepped for Cibao threat
Published:Tuesday | November 26, 2024 | 12:10 AM
CAVALIER COACH Rudolph Speid believes that the experience his side earned from being in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final will be of benefit when the team takes to the same stage tonight in the first leg of the competition’s title tie at the National Stadium.
Speid’s side lost their last competitive fixture, a game against Racing United in the Jamaica Premier League last week, but the wily coach pointed out that he has been preparing specifically for the final.
“It’s been good, it’s more specific towards our opponents, so we’ve zeroed in on what we need to do against them. It’s a different situation, last time we went away then played at home, this time it’s home then away. This time we’re more experienced and I think it will help us,” said Speid.
The last thing Speid speaks about is the Caribbean Cup final against SV Robinhood when the Jamaican team seemed to implode, losing 3-0 on aggregate.
Speid added that he’s cognisant that a goal from Cibao FC tonight will be a crucial blow towards his team lifting a title.
Speids thoughts on the matter come from the fact that Cibao are unbeaten in the Caribbean, drawing one game on their way to the final.
Cavalier lost in the first round of competition.
With that in mind, the coach has been very specific about what he has done on the training pitch.
“We’ve looked at their strengths and weaknesses and I think we have a plan to do well. We have to be on top for 180 minutes. It also places an emphasis on us not to concede and if we do, then it’ll be a little more difficult for us going away. I’m confident that Cavalier is capable of doing the business either home or away,” Speid added.
Those strengths include the football of Rivaldo Correa, a Colombian, who has hit the net five times in the Caribbean Cup and must be paid attention to.
Conversely, one of Cavalier’s most lethal offensive weapons is Trinidadian striker Kaile Auvray. The attacker said he revels playing in games of this magnitude and believes his team has all the tools needed to get over the line and lift the trophy.
“At the end of the day, it’s just football. Our objective is to go out there and get our hands on the trophy while enjoying ourselves. I feel like we’re very positive and it’s about taking our opportunities when they come. I don’t feel much pressure, I’ve played in the Gold Cup before, I’ve played in the Nations League, so I feel I’ve played these types of matches before,” he said.
‘It’s about consistency’
Speid revealed that his only concern is getting the players playing a consistently good brand of football. He believes this is something the team is slowly getting accustomed to.
“All the players have a winning mentality but it’s about consistency. While that is my biggest challenge, we’re getting there.”
Cavalier and Cibao have only met once before. On that occasion in 2022, Cavalier blew a 2-0 first-half lead to end with a 3-3 draw.
The Jamaicans will also need to be willing to suffer against a Cibao unit with a passer in the middle like home-grown talent Jean López.
López has one of the highest pass rate completions in the competition at 92 per cent, and has made 238 passes in his team’s six games.
The attacking midfielder is also a goalscoring threat, having notched a goal each against Grenades FC, AC Port of Spain, and Real Hope.