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In-form Waterhouse ready for CFU test

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Ahead of the 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship, Waterhouse is in high spirits and fully confident that its exciting brand of football will bring success.

The Jamaican side open its campaign in Group 2 on Friday against Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe in Haiti, before facing host AS Mirebalais (March 23) and Trinidad’s Caledonia AIA (March 25).

Despite playing in unfamiliar conditions, Waterhouse does not expect to abandon its usual enterprising style for caution.

“They will want to impose their style of football, not careless being with it, but still impose their style of football,” said Waterhouse president Ricardo Chin. “They will absorb as much pressure that may come their way and in return give it.

“We have the talent that we expect to do well and we really hope that whatever combination we put on the field will do well.”

Waterhouse will field an impressive unit, with a frontline led by Gary McIntosh and Haitian striker Chedlin Francoeur. The midfield includes the experienced Romario Campbell, who reads the game well, and 18-year-old Ramon Howell, one of Jamaica’s finest schoolboy players.

The defensive will be anchored by center backs Omar Walcott and Nicholy Finlayson, backed by goalkeeper Richard McCallum, who started in Jamaica’s 1-1 draw against Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier last September.

“We have a very rounded side,” expressed Chin. “I am feeling pretty good and if we apply ourselves properly and work with the coach’s instructions, we’ll be at the top of the pile.”

Waterhouse enters the tournament on a nine-game unbeaten run, winning six and tying three in the domestic league.

Chin said the team had also had good preparations ahead of the CFU event and, despite a lack of knowledge about its opponents, believes good results are possible.

“We are all pretty much on a level playing field because there is very little information we have on each other,” he noted. “It is will be a case of who will want it most and who applies themselves best, who will come out as the winners of the round.

“We’re hoping we’re that team that will come out victorious.”

Caledonia AIA looks to CFU tournament for boost

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Trinidad & Tobago’s Caledonia AIA is leaving nothing to chance in the 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship as it begins the quest for a third consecutive appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Though in the midst of a testing domestic campaign, the 2012 CFU champion is hoping strong preparation will result in something special over the next few days.

“The team has consistently prepared for all-case scenarios which is to say, we work hard and strategically and consistently prepare ourselves with a wide a base as possible,” said Louis Lee Sing, the club’s president. “In that regard, we feel not withstanding how difficult the opposition might be, given our own programmes at home base, we are fairly confident that wherever we go we will give a good account of ourselves.”

Caledonia, which was founded nearly 35 years ago, is a team in transition. As a result, it has struggled in the TT Pro League and a four-game winless streak sees it in seventh place, just two places from bottom.

Vital core performers such as striker Jamal Gay, midfielder Akim Armstrong and defender Aubrey David will miss the CFU tournament. David recently was loaned to Finland’s FF Jaro, while Armstrong and Gay are on trials with clubs in the same country.

Youth players Nical Stephens, Kyle Bartholomew and Jameel Neptune have been called in to reinforce the squad.

Despite the challenges, Lee Sing remained optimistic.

“We cannot anticipate a result because we play a game from the start whistle to the final whistle and in doing so we never let up.” Lee Sing expressed. “I am optimistic, not withstanding where we are in our domestic competition that in facing all comers we are likely to do well.”

“We are nowhere near where we have been in the last three years [in the league]. We are going through a phase where we are blooding new talent. We have lost some of our key players to international contracts and we are doing what we have to do rebuild as we continue our domestic season.”

Caledonia opens CFU play in Group 2 on Friday in Haiti against host AS Mirebalais, before taking on Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe (March 23) and Waterhouse of Jamaica (March 25).

Each of the three group winners will join Haiti’s Valencia – which was given a bye – in the semifinals. The eventual finalists and the winner of the match for third place will qualify for the 2014-15 CCL.

Alpha United targets CCL return

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Due to winning the league title in each of the last four years and playing in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL), recent history points to Alpha United being Guyana’s flagship team.

With the upcoming Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship – the Caribbean’s annual club championship that doubles as a CCL qualifying tournament -- as the vehicle of opportunity, The Hammer is looking to add a regional crown to its list of honors, as well as make a return to the confederation stage.

Alpha’s road back to the CCL starts on Friday with a Group 3 game against Trinidad & Tobago’s Defence Force, before facing host Harbour View two days later. Defence Force and Harbour View will square off on March 25. All games will be played at Harbour View Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. SV Notch of Suriname, which was originally in the group, withdrew from the competition.

Since the CFU event was launched in 1997, only clubs from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Puerto Rico have emerged as champions.

How does Alpha United plan on breaking that monopoly?

Head coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover explained to CONCACAF.com that it is a step-by-step process that starts with a first-place finish in the opening round group.

“Now there is a much better situation where the clubs can qualify directly for the CONCACAF Champions League without playing in a playoff,” said Dover, whose team was eliminated by Costa Rica’s Herediano in the 2011-12 CCL preliminary round. “Our aim is to top the CFU group that we’re going to be playing in in Jamaica.”

The three group winners advance to the semifinals with Haiti’s Valencia, recipient of a bye. The two eventual finalists and winner of the match for third place qualify for the 2014-15 CCL.

Alpha United’s CFU Club Championship history

Alpha United made its CFU Club Championship debut in 2009, where it was eliminated in the first round by Tempete (Haiti), 3-1 on aggregate. The Hammer holds the distinction of being the first Guyanese club to qualify for the CCL by virtue of a top three finish in the 2011 event. Coincidentally, it had to overcome Defence Force 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in the match for third place.

Alpha United - Players to Watch

Midfielders Dwight Peters, who is also team captain, and Dwain Jacobs have been solid pillars for the club. Jacobs returned to Alpha in January after leaving for Buxton United FC and, subsequently, Slingerz.

Gregory Richardson is the most experienced member of the side. The forward has seven career CCL goals (5 with Joe Public and 2 with the Puerto Rico Islanders) and is the first player from Guyana to debut in the USA’s Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids.

Grenada’s Kithson Bain, who played with and scored one goal for Trinidad’s Caledonia AIA in the current CCL, is on the roster along with Kirk Duckworth and Mark Miller (both formerly of Jamaica’s Humble Lions).

Alajuelense’s Ramirez pleased to progress in CCL

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Following a scoreless draw in the first leg last week, Alajuelense secured its first-ever berth in the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) semifinals with a 2-0 win at Arabe Unido on Thursday.

The Manudos are unbeaten in five straight games in the competition and 11 of their last 14. Head coach Oscar Ramirez expressed satisfaction with his team’s achievement.

“We knew that the game was going to be emotional,” said Ramirez. “It was important to score the goal quickly, we had it planned since Costa Rica. After the goal, Arabe Unido had to take risks. We were settling in and the second goal was everything. Arabe Unido was a worthy opponent, they show that Panamanian football is growing.”

The first goal came in the sixth minute through in-form striker Jerry Palacios. The Honduras international, who also scored in a 1-0 win at Club America last October to clinch Alajuelense’s place in the knockout rounds, now has eight career tallies in the competition.

Jonathan McDonald became the club’s all-time leading CCL scorer with four goals, when he made it 2-0 in the 58th minute.

Ramirez and his players have little time to celebrate. They must focus on semifinal opponent Toluca, which -- like Alajuelense – is a two-time CONCACAF champion. The first leg will be played on April 1 in Costa Rica.

“Now the goal is to get that desired final,” the 49-year-old added. “We are among the four best in the area. It is not going to be easy against Toluca, but regardless, we will try to grab the advantage on our turf.”

Belize’s McCaulay tackles new challenge

ATLANTA, Georgia – When the leading scorers in qualifying for Brazil 2014 were tallied, an unfamiliar name shared the spotlight with Robin Van Persie and Luis Suarez.

Belize striker Deon McCaulay netted 11 goals in only eight games, a mark that left him level with the Manchester United and Liverpool superstars at the top of the global goals chart.

Unlike the English Premier League pair, though, McCaulay does not ply his trade in Europe.

Last month, the 26-year-old joined North American Soccer League side Atlanta Silverbacks for the upcoming 2014 campaign.

“It feels very good to be here in Atlanta, and I’m excited to play in the U.S.,” said McCaulay at the time of signing. “I want to thank the Silverbacks organization for giving me the opportunity to come here and represent their team.”

The 5-foot-9 forward comes to the Silverbacks from the Belmopan Bandits. He has also played in Honduras with Deportes Savio.

“His talent, speed, explosiveness, and knack for scoring goals is exactly what our team needs," said Silverbacks technical director Eric Wynalda.

Atlanta opens the new NASL season on April 13 at the defending champion New York Cosmos.

Bayamon merges different styles to achieve success

BAYAMON, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico’s Bayamon FC intends to compete as a cohesive unit when it hosts Group 1 of the 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship, starting on Friday at the Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel.

Domestically, the club has successfully merged the talents of players from many different countries, including Spain, Haiti, and Colombia. The goal is to do the same on the international stage.

“If we are able to incorporate those styles,” Bayamon midfielder Andres Perez told CONCACAF.com, “we will be fun to watch.”

Over the last six weeks, Bayamon has been busy preparing for the CFU challenge with intensive strength training sessions in a bid to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL).

As the opener against Bodden Town (Cayman Islands) approaches, gym work has made way for more time on the pitch, a welcome change for Perez.

“It’s been a tough six weeks of preseason, but very well worth with it,” Perez said. “Every player on this team is hungry for these three games.”

Born in Florida, Perez played four years for Barry University, before moving to Puerto Rico -- the home of his parents -- to fulfill his professional football aspirations.

After stints with Sevilla Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Islanders, Perez transferred to Bayamon in 2013.

His impact was immediate as he became a key player in the Vaqueros’ run to the Puerto Rico Soccer League regular season title last year, which earned them a spot in the CFU event.

Now he wants to help Bayamon scale the same heights as the Islanders, who qualified for five straight editions of the CCL, advancing as far as the semifinals in 2008-09.

“Bayamon wants to show the region we have a team capable of competing in the CFU and CONCACAF,” Perez finished.

After Bodden Town, Bayamon concludes opening round play by facing Curacao’s Centro Dominguito (March 23) and Unite Saint Rosienne of Guadeloupe (March 25).

Friday: Colón win again to stay on top and Olimpo down Rafaela

Colón against Tigre was always likely to be a dull affair with neither side particularly free scoring and both boasting mean defences and although it took just 4 minutes for the deadlock to be broken the excitement ended there. Carlos Martín Luque was tripped by in-form goalkeeper, Javier García with less than 3 minutes on the clock and Lucas Alario stepped up to give Colón the lead and ultimately another victory. It is a remarkable turnaround for Colón, who are now 8 unbeaten and sitting alone at the summit.

Earlier, Olimpo earned another valuable win in Bahía Blanca with a 2-1 result over Atletico Rafaela. Dylan Gissi headed the home side in front and although Federico González bundled in a second half equaliser, Adolfo Valencia’s low drive with 20 minutes remaining sealed all 3 points.


Colón 1 – 0 Tigre

http://www.youtube.com/w…ECx_dl1Nscg

Olimpo 2 – 1 Atletico Rafaela

http://www.youtube.com/w…cT0us#t=186

FRIDAY: TIJUANA REMAIN IN PLAYOFF PICTURE WITH WIN OVER PUEBLA WHILE MORELIA AND SANTOS DRAW

Los Xolos ended what has been a great week for the club following midweek victory over LA Galaxy in the CONCACAF Champions League. Last night in the Estadio Caliente, Tijuana defeated Puebla 3-1 to to move into the playoff positions and if they could improve their away record, who knows what they might achieve. Argentine striker, Dario Benedetto is hitting form at a good time and it was his header that opened the scoring after just 2 minutes. A well worked team move was finished by Ecuadorian, Fidel Martínez just after the hour to double the lead. Maicon Santos pulled a goal back to offer a glimmer of hope for Puebla in the 84th minute but a wonderful stoppage time lob by Fernando Arce ended any chance. It’s a third consecutive defeat for Puebla who languish near the foot of the table but there are encouraging signs in Tijuana.

Morelia and Santos both remain in the middle of the congested playoff picture and last night played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Aldo Leao Ramírez gave Morelia the lead when he was able to capitalise on some sloppy defending after 28 minutes but Pedro Caixinha’s side reacted well. A well struck free kick by Juan Pablo Rodríguez before the break and a penalty converted by the same player, 10 minutes after put the visitors in the driving seat. However, Carlos Adrián Morales’ superb individual effort levelled the match. Jinking in the left, Morales unleashed a fierce left footed shot which left Oswaldo Sánchez no chance and flew into the top corner.

Morelia 2 – 2 Santos Laguna

http://www.youtube.com/w…W2Hr6wkZPDI

Tijuana 3 – 1 Puebla

http://www.youtube.com/w…SUEJFfChVYA

Sebastián Saja: "Esta victoria tiene un doble valor"

BUENOS AIRES -- Sebastián Saja mostró el sábado su alivio luego de la victoria del Racing Club 2-0 ante Belgrano, en el partido que se desarrolló en Avellaneda y que significó volver al triunfo luego de siete fechas sin obtener tres unidades juntas.

"Esta victoria tiene un doble valor, pero principalmente nuestro rival hoy éramos nosotros mismos. Empezamos con un partido cuesta arriba, pero terminamos haciendo un buen encuentro", sintetizó Saja una vez concluido el encuentro correspondiente a la novena fecha del Torneo Final que significó la segunda victoria racinguista en el certamen, dado que la única anterior se remontaba al 3-0 sobre Colón de Santa Fe, también de local.

El exarquero de San Lorenzo de Almagro, además de haber atajado en gran forma, ejecutó dos penales: el primero fue el que significó el 1-0 parcial, mientras que en el segundo envío el balón pegó en el palo izquierdo.

"En el primer tiempo nos costó mucho, pero podríamos haber estado en desventaja, sin embargo en el segundo tiempo justificamos la victoria", evaluó el capitán racinguista "Nuestra mejor manera era hablar dentro del campo, más que palabras hay que tener acción", argumentó el portero en alusión al apoyo ofrecido al entrenador Reinaldo Merlo.

Se trató de una semana convulsionada para Racing, dado que los hinchas mostraron su disconformismo con el plantel, e inclusive se vieron banderas mediante las cuales se acusaba a Saja y a Mauro Camoranesi de no brinarle al director técnico el respaldo necesario.

Lo concreto es que Racing volvió a ganar y cortó una serie negativa, por lo que Saja, enfatizó: "No estamos pasando un buen momento y es entendible que la gente esté disconforme. Nosotros tenemos mucho para hacer y crecer en el torneo".

Reinaldo Merlo: "Lo importante era ganar sobre todo"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador del Racing Club, Reinaldo Merlo, expresó el sábado que tanto para sus jugadores como para él era "importante" ganarle a Belgrano porque era fundamental torcer el mal presente que atravesaba el equipo en el Torneo Final.

"Lo importante era ganar sobre todo porque veníamos de perder varios partidos. Creo que en el torneo hemos jugado encuentros mejor que el de hoy, pero no pudimos ganarlos", argumentó Merlo.

El director técnico de la Academia, agregó: "Ellos nos complicaron sobre todo en el primer tiempo, pero después del gol pudimos revertir esa situación".

Cuando se le preguntó por toda la tensión que se vivió durante la semana, Merlo, precisó: "Yo la viví con tranquilidad. Se trabajó bien, siempre pensamos en la victoria, y a los jugadores les pedí que dejen todo para conseguir los tres puntos. Ahora tenemos que pensar en seguir sumando y levantar nuestro nivel de juego porque el camino es largo".