By Marlon Munroe
Another enthralling double-header awaits Kashif and Shanghai patrons tonight at the Enmore Community Centre ground.
Debutants Riddim Squad clash with East Coast Demerara team Ann’s Grove from 18:00 hrs and at 20:00 hrs Buxton United, the other East Coast Demerara team in the 20th edition of the tournament, will clash with last year’s runner-up Sunburst Camptown. And from all indications, the coaches are satisfied with the preparation of their respective teams.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport, coach of Riddim Squad Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover expressed confidence in his uncapped team. He said the team’s determination and will to train and win was the most commendable trait he has recognized since he took the coaching job.
Dover, who is also national coach, said Riddim Squad had completed training in the tactical, technical, physical and psychological aspects of the game. Therefore, the players will be going into the game as well-oiled unit, especially since they did their pre-game warm-up session yesterday morning. He said this was because he wanted his team to be well rested ahead of the encounter.
Asked whether preparations were different for this football event he replied in the affirmative. He said while the team played in the Premier League in Georgetown more psychological conditioning was required since this is the team’s first appearance in the end-of-year tourney.
He revealed that the team’s line up will include exchange players Quincy Roberts and Kabir Khan from the United Kingdom, and Odell Armstrong and Ishmael Daniels from the Trinidad & Tobago professional league team Caledonia.
Meanwhile, Sunburst Camptown coach Gilbert Sampson reported that after two weeks of rigorous training his players were set for tonight’s game. He said that on the day prior to the game players were not given a strenuous workout, as he too wanted his charges well rested for their game.
He said that he implored his players to be tough psychologically because they are a top team in the tournament. But he also urged them not to underestimate any team because the underdog teams are the ones that have nothing to lose and they will be looking to upset their more established opponents.
He said his team will be going out hard tonight and would not be leaving anything to chance.
He said the team’s line up includes four exchange players: former national youth central defender Devon Dummett, goalie Sean Johnson, mid fielder and general utility player Jermain Browne and defender Kester Jacobs, who plays in neighbouring Suriname.
