(ABOVE) Head coach Terry Fenwick has Central FC on course for 2015/16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League berth.
COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago -- Central FC is a confident unit heading into its first-ever CFU Club Championship semifinal, which takes place Friday against Haiti’s Don Bosco FC at Ato Boldon Stadium.
And, it has good reason to feel that way.
The Trinidadian side – founded in 2012 – progressed in the regional competition after topping the Group 1 table in Phase I last month with victories over Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe (2-0) and host Alpha United of Guyana (3-1) to compile a 2W-0D-0L record.
Head Coach Terry Fenwick, speaking with CONCACAF.com, said that the aim us to win the CFU title and then compete in 2015/16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
“This is the biggest competition in the region,” said the 55-year-old, who played for England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. “First and foremost, we want to qualify for the next round that then brings in MLS, Mexican and Central American sides and we want to be in that competition.”
He noted that the tournament’s first round was a massive learning experience for his team and it played an important role in preparing for the final four. While not knowing much about the specifics of Don Bosco's tactics, Fenwick is cognizant that Central is facing a capable opponent, one that scored 16 goals while going a perfect 3W-0D-0L in Group 4.
“We know that we are up against a tremendous football side in Don Bosco,” he expressed. “They have won the championship in Haiti and are on a good run of form, so we know we need to be 100% to get a result. We know it’s going to be a hell of a battle to get through to the final.” While trying to learn more about Don Bosco, Central has concerns of its own.
Forward Dwight Quintere suffered an injury last week and will miss the CFU finals, while striker Willis Plaza (15 goals & 7 assists in 22 appearances during the season) -- who scored both goals in the victory over Inter Moengotapoe -- is also wounded.
“I am hoping Plaza would pull through,” finished Fenwick. “Quintere is definitely out and that is a disappointment, but we’ve got quite a good squad to fill in for him.”
So far in the 2014/15 season, in addition to winning the TT Pro League title, Central has also captured the FCB Cup 2014 and numerous other honors, including the Rawle Fletcher Trophy, Akeem Adams Trophy and Kevon Carter Trophy.