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Changes will be made, says coach Thomas after 2-0 defeat
August 21, 2024
Mount Pleasant coach Harold Thomas was unhappy at Sabina Park yesterday after his team was outclassed by Cavalier in their Concacaf Caribbean Cup Group A match at Sabina Park.
Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier won 2-0 with goals from 18-year-old Christopher Ainsworth from the penalty spot and Shaquille Stein.
Thomas said his team lacked hunger and hinted that some of the bigger names might lose their places as a result.
"There will be significant changes. We have to look at the players who are hungry for it. You see Cavalier's approach to the game. They have a group of youngsters who do not have the reputation that our players have but they are hungry. They want to make a name for themselves."
Cavalier's head coach, Rudolph Speid, said it was all about the defence for his team.
"We decided we were going to be tough on defence. The defence, including the goalkeeper, stood out. It is not easy to keep a clean sheet against these players from Mount Pleasant as they can turn a game on its head.
"So our concentration was spot on from minute one. Although we defended stoutly, we were positive all the time and it paid dividends. We attacked when the occasion demanded it, we didn't hesitate and we could have scored two more," Speid said.
After a lively start, Jalmaro Calvin got the first real chance for Cavalier but his shot was weak. Mount Pleasant's Jean Ferreira then found Sue Lae McCalla in the box but his volley was blocked. The Brazilian then produced a vicious shot that Jaedin White parried for a corner.
Cavalier continued to find gaps in the Mount Pleasant defence and Calvin failed to connect cleanly with Ainsworth's excellent cross soon after.
Stein then got behind the Mount Pleasant defence and was brought down by Jamoi Topey, and Ainsworth converted the resulting penalty.
Topey had a great chance to make it 1-1 four minutes later but put his header wide of the target.
Stein wasted a great chance after robbing Topey of possession but Ricardo Chambers in goal kept his effort out.
However, Stein made it 2-0 in the 25th minute when he nodded Calvin's precise cross past goalkeeper Tafari Chambers.
Frustrated by the frequency with which Cavalier were breaking through, Thomas made early changes and pulled Kimonie Bailey and Topey before half time.
Both teams, especially Cavalier, continued to create good openings before the break but neither was able to add to the score.
Cavalier came out second half and sat deep, with Mount Pleasant trying desperately to break down their well organised defence.
Cavalier were also dangerous on the counter, despite Mount Pleasant controlling possession, and could have done better on a few breakaways.
Thomas added that it was a difficult first loss.
"In any tournament it is difficult to lose your first game but it is not impossible to come back," he said.
