Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Jermaine Hue ... expected to feature prominently for Harbour View tonight - file
DEFENDING CARIBBEAN Club champions Harbour View face a stern challenge this evening when they host top Mexican club Pumas Unam in the opening round of the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium at 7:30.
Under the leadership of newly appointed Brazilian technical director Waldemar De Oliviera, a major priority in today's game for the 'Stars of the East' will be finally putting to rest a disappointing outing the last time the team played on the international stage.
On that occasion, the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Harbour View, after playing to a 1-1 draw at home, were thrashed 5-0 by American Major League Soccer (MLS) club DC United in Washington, D.C.
However, according to Harbour View general manager Clyde Jureidini, the club has learned from its mistakes and is confident of putting on a creditable showing.
"We are feeling good. I believe we will definitely be doing the best that we can. The focus of the team is very high at this point," Jureidini said.
"Since our loss to DC we have taken a more technical approach, we have learned from our experience and hopefully, we will able to prove that tomorrow," he said.
Jureidini believes the addition of the experienced De Oliviera, who has had stints with Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Sao Paulo and Santos, will push the team to previously unattained heights.
Positive in approach
"He is very positive in his approach to the game and the level of professionalism that he brings has definitely had an impact on the players," he said.
Three-time CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Pumas Unam will still be a tough nut to crack.
Harbour View will face Pumas Unam in the second leg of the fixture on Thursday, September 4, in Mexico City.
Harbour View squad: Ronny Amaguana, Michaud Barrett, Nicholas Beckett, Marcelino Blackburn, Girvan Brown, Kavin Bryan, Richard Edwards, André Fagan, Leon Goffe, Jomo Gordon, Jermaine Hue, Keith Kelly, Lance Laing, Dwayne Miller, Lovel Palmer, Montrose Phinn, Oneil Smith, Errol Stevens, Mitchily Waul, Dicoy Williams, Daveion Woodhouse, Kevin Wooley, Lennox Wright.