– Claudio Alvarez
Manager of the visiting River Plate Football Club Claudio Alvarez yesterday stated that his team was ready to play Guyana’s top team Alpha United in two matches in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championships at the Guyana National Stadium and GCC Ground.
Alvarez made the disclosure at a press briefing yesterday attended by members of the Alpha United and River Plate teams at the Water Chris Hotel. The two teams will clash tomorrow at the National Stadium from 8pm with the second match to be contested on Sunday from 3.30pm in what was initially a home and away tie but will now see both matches played in Guyana.
Alvarez noted that five of the side’s key players could not make it to participate in this round of the tourney because of a number of issues.
“We found ourselves with players who were to be used as substitutes playing as starting players but at times you have to make investments when put in certain positions. These players are not entirely new, they went through our preparations the previous season so they know what they have to do,” he declared.
According to the River Plate Manager, they are currently involved in three ongoing tournaments and have a packed football schedule. In the first round of the CFU tournament River Plate defeated Bodden Town 2 – 0 then lost 0 – 1 in their return match.Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover coach of the Alpha United squad said the team’s preparation has been going fairly well.
“We have played them already and we know their style of play and have a fair knowledge of what they are capable of but in the case they come with another approach we will adapt quickly and play a tactical game,” he said.
Alpha United got a bye to the second round after the Bassa Sports Club withdrew from the tournament and did not face Alpha.
