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Jureidini

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Harbour View Football Club's privilege of hosting the first leg CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Mexico's Pumas Unam was washed away in the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav.

The game, which was originally scheduled to be played on Thursday, had been rescheduled for last night, due to the storm. However, rainfall and strong winds associated with the system were still pelting the island last night, hence the cancellation.

The sport's governing body for the region, CONCACAF, through its general secretary, Chuck Blazer, sent out a release yesterday, announcing the cancellation, following a tour of the facilities by match commissary, Patrick Beckles, who deemed the pitch unplayable.

In making its decision, CONCACAF also took advice from Carvel Stewart, chairman of HVFC, and Horace Reid, general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation, into consideration.

Second leg

Instead, only the second leg of the fixture will be played at the Estadio Olympico Stadium in Mexico City, on Thursday, September 4.

Clyde Jureidini, HVFC general manager, says, despite the disappoint-ment, the Stars of the East are determined to make the best of a bad situation.

"We totally understand that there were a lot of factors that went into the decision and, although we are disappointed, we will hope to make the best of it," Jureidini told The Gleaner yesterday.

"We understand that there is a tight schedule and it is unfortunate that the fixture could not be played due to the storm.

Favourable result

"Right now, we will just have to go to Mexico and do our best and hope to come away with a favourable result," he added.

With the away rule in effect for the CONCACAF league, a draw would be good enough to see the local team advance to the next round.

Following lean results against top quality teams in recent times, Harbour View, the Caribbean Club champions, will be hoping that the addition of experienced Brazilian coach, Waldemar de Oliviera, will lead the team to better performances.

Oliviera has had stints at Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Sao Paulo and Santos, as well as being national coach of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Mexican side Pumas Unam have captured the CONCACAF Club Championship title on three occasions.