Despite failing to acquire any notable targets during the transfer window, Fruta Conquerors head-coach Calvin Allen believes his side will be competitive in the upcoming Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Beer Elite League.
“We have been putting in some good work and the guys have been responding well. While we did miss out on several of our transfer targets, we still expect a good showing,” Allen told Stabroek Sport.
“The sessions indicate we are in a good place at the moment and we are in the final stages of preparation. We have a good strong competitive squad, so while we are aiming for nothing less than a top four finish, we will be pushing for the top two spots,” he added.
“I know it will be a difficult and competitive league with the big spenders. I also always know that once we put in the work, we will reap the reward, it’s a rectangular field, 11 versus 11 and one ball, in the end the work you put in will decide how far you go,” he asserted.
“All in all I am confident and optimistic to see how this group of players can perform,” he added. Quizzed on what will be the team’s tactical approach during the event, he said “it will be defensive organization, keeping clean sheets as often as possible and playing as a unit both defensively and offensively.”
The national event will commence at the Leonora Sports Facility today. Alpha United will lead the other competing teams who are Bakewell Slingerz, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Pele FC, Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Monedderlust FC and Buxton United.
At the end of the first round which is named League Genesis, the top four finishers will progress to the knockout round. The winner of the League Genesis will be crowned the champion of the round and will pocket $4 million.
The second, third and fourth place finishers will walk away with $2 million, $1 million and $500,000 respectively. Prior to the four team elimination tourney, the team that finishes at the top of the point standings will pocket an additional $1 million.
The second round which is called the League Finale, will be contested with the same format and incentives. In order for a season champion to be crowned, the winner of both rounds will face off in a single fixture. That winner will then earn an automatic berth at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) level.
If the winner of the League Genesis and League Finale rounds are the same team, that club will claim an automatic CFU spot. The second CFU berth will then be awarded to the team with the most accumulated points in both rounds non-inclusive of the eventual season champion.
