Despite their disappointing showing in the 2013 Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Cup, Alpha United Coach Wayne Dover said his team is still the one to beat in the 2014 football season citing two instances where his team trounced the current champs.
“I still think Alpha is the team to beat. We have beaten Slingerz twice so we remain the team to beat despite our unfortunate defeat in the tournament, he said in an interview with Stabroek Sport. “Throughout the year we performed well; winning four out of five tournaments in 2013.”
While he respects the fact that Slingerz FC are the GFA/Banks Beer 2013 champions, Dover said, “They had to maximize the opportunity because it would not have been easier for them as they were not facing one of the more formidable teams in the country.”
“This year we will see more of the same which is our dominance. Once again there will be national tournaments and we will meet again. They (Slingerz) will have the chance to show if they can beat Alpha or if the trend will continue,” he said. “The debate will go on [about] who is better but the stats are clear, Alpha and Slingerz played in two finals and Alpha won both.”
Regarding plans to rebuild the club following its performance at the yearend event, Dover said most of the players are still in their prime so there is no urgency to do so.
“I would say that rebuilding is a strong word; [most] of Alpha’s players are below the age of 27. We have three players over 30 who are Anthony Abrams, Abassi McPherson and Selwyn Isaacs and three players at the age of 30 who are Gregory Richardson, Travis Grant and Kelvin McKenzie,” he said.
However, the coach did acknowledge that he will be keeping an eye on a few players to add to the squad during this transfer period.
