Western Tigers vice captain and goalkeeper Derrick Carter says that the younger players in the team are quick learners and they understand their role in the defence of their Kashif & Shanghai title.
When Stabroek Sport spoke to Carter last evening at the National Gymnasium he expressed confidence in the team despite its young players. Carter, who is also a goalkeeper on the national team, said that while coach Kavin Pearce is new, the younger players have been catching on quickly to his style and his techniques of coaching.
Further, he acknowledged that the coach has also helped in the creation of the chemistry that the team has at the moment. Carter assured that his young team is focused at this time and the players’ sights are set on retaining their title on January 1 at the Guyana National Stadium.
More importantly, Carter believes that his side will be successful throughout the tournament which commences on Sunday because everyone, especially the younger players, understands their role in the side. He believes that this is so because they all have the will to be champions and therefore they are working hard to achieve this, adding that around 25 players attended practice sessions last evening at the indoor facility. “They are showing the effort and commitment and this is good because they want to be champions. They believe that we can win again and they have been working hard for this tournament and to win back this title we won last year,” Carter said. He also noted that the side will continue to sharpen their fitness level. He said that every session is a test of the team’s fitness level and this he feels will serve everyone well since it will give all the players the added push to work harder on their game.
The custodian emphasised that his team’s fitness is vital because his reflection on the team’s participation in the recently-concluded Namilco tournament was not all positive. And using this as a yardstick, the players have to “put in the extra work”.
Aside from the fitness work, Carter stated that there was also a focus on the tactical aspect of their team’s defensive outfit. Making reference to the Namilco tournament again he said that it was necessary for the side to work on shoring up its defensive detail.
He disclosed that some players have been added to the backline and there are some new tactics that are being taught. However, he also pointed out that the side will have to work doubly harder to stay atop of the competition and eventually retain the title because every team will have the same thoughts about wresting the title from their grasp.
With this in mind his team will not be letting up on their intensity in training.