Waterhouse ready as football returns tonight

After eight months of inactivity, football returns to Jamaica when Waterhouse FC meet Arcahaie FC of Haiti in the Scotiabank Concacaf League at the Stadium East Field at 6 p.m.

The game will be played without spectators because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was also responsible for the abrupt halt to local football in March.

Waterhouse head coach Marcel Gayle says his team is ready for the game as he knows about Arcahaie's style of play.

"We are mentally and physically ready for this clash," he said.

We are adjusting

"Our preparations haven't been what we want it to be due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are adjusting and we will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that we give a good account ourselves on Thursday.

"We are confident, but we are mindful of what we are up against, so we just want to go out there and give it our best shot and to play some attractive football."

Gayle said that Arcahaie is a team that usually moves the ball very quickly from one end of the field to the other, and Waterhouse will have to ensure that they nullify this.

"I have seen them play against Portmore United, so I have a good understanding of what to expect of them, and my players are also aware of this heading into this match," he said.

Waterhouse have lost key players Tremaine Stewart, former captain Keith Simpson, and Diego Haughton to Dunbeholden. Gayle said that despite the loss of these players, there is still enough depth and quality in his team.

"We are looking fine without these players because we are putting the pieces together, so hopefully, everything will work out for us," he said.

They have signed midfielders Rohan Beadle and Fabion McCarthy, who Gayle coached previously at UWI FC, former Portmore United midfielder Roshane Sharpe and defender Ryan Wellington, also from Portmore, as replacements.

Arcahaie FC are eighth in the Haitian league standings with 13 points from eight matches.