Mount Pleasant not concerned with Caribbean Cup group draw

Sporting director of Mount Pleasant Football Academy Paul Christie says he is not concerned that all three Jamaican clubs in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup have been drawn in the same group for this year’s staging.

This comes after Arnett Gardens’ triumph in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield sees them drawn in Group A alongside Mount Pleasant and Cavalier.

Christie said the result of the draw is of no concern to Mount Pleasant as they are prepared to take on any team in the competition.

“You can look at it one way and say that we’re familiar with these opponents and we know how to prepare for these opponents,” he said. “But if we truly believe that we’re on a mission and that we’re in it to win it, then our opponents shouldn’t matter because we’re preparing to get past any eventuality and to stand at the summit.”

The trio of Jamaican clubs are also joined by Haitian outfit Real Hope Football Academy and Police FC of Trinidad and Tobago.

With only two teams to advance to the semi-finals from the group stage, it means that at least one of the Jamaican teams will not be able to progress to the knockout rounds.

Christie said that while this is an unfortunate reality for the clubs, it is the nature of professional sports, and the players will have to fight for their spot in the next round.

“All three Jamaican teams are in the same group, and there is no way all three can advance because it is only possible for two teams to advance,” Christie explained. “If there was one team in one group and two teams in another group then it would be possible that all three Jamaican teams could advance.

“The truth of the matter is that they have done the seeding, and it is always a possibility that based on how you’re seeded, you might end up facing a team within your country.”

Mount Pleasant get into Caribbean Cup action on August 20 against Cavalier at Sabina Park before taking on Arnett Gardens on August 27.

Their first international opponents will be Police FC on September 26 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.