Alpha United and Milerock battle visiting teams at National Stadium today
GUYANA’S Alpha United and Milerock commence their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) run today when they lock horns with the two visiting teams InterMoengotapoe and Hubentut Fortuna at the Guyana National Stadium from 16:00hrs. Milerock of Linden clash in the curtain raiser of the double-header with Curacao’s Hubentut Fortuna then the host of this leg of the tournament, Alpha United, face long time rival from Suriname, InterMoengotapoe at 18:00hrs.
It is understood that both the Curacao and Suriname teams arrived yesterday afternoon ahead of the three days of action.
In the feature today, Alpha United will be going hard at their opponents InterMoengotapoe whom they met thrice and are yet to secure a victory against them.
InterMoengotapoe is a very strong side and will not be taken lightly according to head coach Wayne Dover of Guyana’s top side Alpha United.
Dover stated that his side have been training hard and working into shape. He was grateful for the games in the Super League which were used as warm-up matches for this CFU Championship.
“Those were valuable games and we would have liked to play a few more since Western Tigers and teams such as Pele and Milerock would have given us a strong challenge,”  Dover said.
Meanwhile, the local boys from the Mining Town will be meeting a formidable opponent in the opening match as the professional side Hubentut Fortuna bring experience gained from playing football at the highest level in the Netherlands Antilles Premier League.
However, that 50-year-old Netherlands Antilles Championship has not been played since 2010 due to dissolution by Netherlands Antilles but they have been playing in the Curacao League where they secured four victories in the six matches contested.
On the other hand, Milerock have been preparing to put forth a performance better than last year. The side have been fighting hard in the Super League and stand second to Alpha United who are comfortably on top.
In a press briefing held yesterday at the Water Chris Hotel, attended by Dover and vice-president of the Alpha United, Steve Ninvalle, the latter disclosed why Alpha undertook the responsibility to host this leg of the tournament.
“Initially Alpha United and Milerock were tasked with the responsibility of hosting these teams whereas we split the expenses down the middle but after a meeting with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Alpha  will completely host the tournament because Milerock is not financially endowed”, Ninvalle said.
“At one point it looked like it would not be possible to host this leg but Alpha dug deep for the love and interest in the sport and got the help of some corporate partners and well wishers to get things on track,” he added.
According to Ninvalle, the club will also be seeking help from the government on this venture.
The vice-president thanked the Ministry of Education whom they met with to get some tickets distributed to schools to attend the matches.
The action continues at the Guyana National Stadium on April 19 at the same times with InterMoengotapoe versus Milerock then Hubentut Fortuna versus Alpha United.
On April 21 in the opening match Inter Moengotapoe will meet Hubentut Fortuna then the night wraps up with Alpha United versus Milerock.
Admission to the games is $500.