DirecTV W Connection’s attempt to shake off a disappointing 4-0 opening loss at Mexico’s Santos Laguna on August 4, will see the T&T Pro League 2014/2015 league runners-up tackle Costa Rica league champions Saprissa when Group A of the 2015/2016 Concacaf Champions League resumes tonight at the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica from 10pm.
W Connection players and staff, led by technical director/head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier, are based at the Plaza Real Hotel in San Jose after arriving in Costa Rica on Monday, fresh from a ten-day camp in Panama following their loss to Mexican champions Santos at the Corona Stadium in Torren, Mexico in their pool opener
“We are expecting a good performance in this game (against Saprissa),” said W Connection assistant coach Earl Jean.
“We had some time to improve since our loss to Santos. We are at a rebuilding stage with a number of our players moving on to other clubs. We knew it would have been difficult against Santos, only [having] two weeks with some of the players together before that match.
“They (Santos) played against us in our pre-season mode [while the defending Mexico champions are well into their domestic season],” added the former Connection and St Lucia star forward.
Jean further stated: “Our players must be mindful that whatever game you’re playing at Concacaf level is an international game. Opponents at this stage are very professional, which means we have to concentrate for longer periods, keep the ball a lot, and do exactly what we have been practicing. We know Saprissa are a very good counter-attacking team but we just need to concentrate longer and not lapse in concentration like we did in the game against Santos.”
Coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier’s problems in Mexico also included the unavailability of defenders Gerard Williams and Maurice Ford through suspension carried over from the Caribbean stage of qualification and Colombian player Stiven Lopez Concha only due to return to Trinidad this week. Speedy winger Neil Benjamin Jr was an unused substitute at Santos due to a hamstring injury.
This week there is still some concern over Benjamin’s hamstring ahead of the Saprissa clash, however utility player Alvin Jones and left-back Triston Hodge, who both picked up injuries against Santos, are back to full fitness.
W Connection will also have the use of forward Shahdon Winchester who wasn’t part of the squad that faced Santos but must do without Colombian defensive player Christian Viveros in Costa Rica due to visa issues.
Saprissa, already into their domestic season, is the club of trialist Dwane James, the T&T international who is hoping to impress the Costa Rica league champions during training this week.
After today’s clash in Costa Rica, W Connection will host Saprissa on September 16 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo before wrapping up their group fixtures on September 22 at the same venue against Santos.
Meanwhile Pro League champions and CCL debutants Central FC, who were defeated 5-1 at LA Galaxy on August 6, will return to Group D action on August 27 when they travel to Guatemala to face powerhouse CSD Comunicaciones.
Central FC will host the Guatemalans on September 17 in the return-leg in Trinidad before welcoming LA Galaxy on September 23, both at Mucurapo.