Familiar foes will renew their rivalry when Alpha United battle the Guyana Defence Force in the grand finale of the fourth annual Georgetown Football Association Banks Beer Cup today at the National Stadium in Providence.
Alpha United coach Wayne `Wiggy’ Dover said yesterday:”Preparation has been coming good. We had the opportunity to maximize on the days after the game against Western Tigers. We did the recovery session on Monday, we had a full session on Tuesday and we got a pre-game session on Wednesday (yesterday) which was ideal.
“We expect for us to play the same way throughout the whole tournament which is to score as much goals as we have been doing throughout the tournament and come on top. That is our expectation,” Dover told Stabroek Sport.
Registering an astonishing 41 goals to date over five matches, Alpha United will start the fixture as the favourites. Defensively `The Hammers’ have only conceded once to date via a penalty kick which was during their 3-1 defeat of Western Tigers in their previous engagement.
With a goal scoring ratio of 8.2 conversions in the game and a defensive record bar none, the ‘Hammers’ will hope to continue their dominant displays and will need another clinical showing from the likes of Dwain Jacobs, Dwight Peters and Daniel Wilson, if they are to secure their second title.
However, Denzil `Hunkybrains’ Thompson, coach of the army unit said his team will play in units to emerge as victors. As it regards their preparation the coach stated that it is based on a match like scenario which is a very competitive format.
“In addition to his offence playing in a ‘WM’ formation, in attack they are aiming to get numbers in front so his team can be dynamic enough to get goals.”
While goal-scoring is not an issue for the army men with 16 conversions to date, the Camp Ayanganna unit will require an improved defensive showing after conceding a total of seven goals in their allotted matchups.
That translates to a percentage of 1.4 goals per game with three of their seven concessions occurring in their previous matchup again Pele.
With the likes of Delroy Fraser, Eusi Phillips, and Delwyn Fraser getting the job done going forward, the onus will be on the defensive trio of Selwyn Isaacs, Kennard Simon and Royan Morrison to marshal the rearguard in pursuit of a clean sheet when opening whistle sounds.
The third place engagement is expected to be a stirring battle when Pele FC, led by the likes of Calvin Shepherd, Konata Manning, Omallo Williams and Deon Alfred tackles Western Tigers and their foursome of Devon Millington, Randolph Wagner
The winners of the tourney will receive the championship accolade and $3,000,000 while the second place side will pocket $1,500,000 and respective trophy. $1,500,000 and a trophy will be awarded to the third place unit while fourth will receive $500,000 and a trophy.
On the individual front, prizes will be awarded for the Most Valuable (MVP), highest goal scorer and the best goal keeper.
