DIRECTV North East Stars Brazilian head coach Emerson dos Santos Alcântara is very enthusiastic over upcoming developments at the Sangre Grande club.
With the transfer window open Wednesday 30 November (today) and closing on Tuesday 22 December, the Alcântara coached side is expected to make a number of signings from Colombia, Brazil and former USL (United Soccer League) players.
“We will have new players,” said Alcântara. “Next week we will be plenty stronger. My players are happy. We will have one big (team).”
The 37 year-old Alcântara who has past coaching experience with Bucheon FC (South Korea 2009-2010), Sports Club XV November Piracicaba (Brazil 2009), Atletico Penapolense (Brazil 2008), FC Lugano (Switzerland 2007), Red Bull (Austria 2006), Ipanema (Brazil 2005) and Atletico Jaboticabal (Brazil 2004) joined North East Stars in October after the club parted ways with 2010 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield winning coach Shurland David.
Alcântara’s first match in charge of North East Stars ended in a 1-1 draw against Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh on Tuesday 25 October and followed up with a 2-1 defeat against W Connection. He picked up his first win against Super League outfit West Side Stars (4-3) in the preliminary round of the Toyota Classic but suffered a 3-0 penalty defeat in the quarter-final round against St. Ann’s Rangers last Friday following a 2-2 draw.
“In the Toyota quarterfinal I’m not happy because we (concede) goal one then number two and then lost penalty,” said Alcântara who explained that he is still working on his English speaking.
Anthony Wolfe had North East in front at the 54th minute following a red card sending off of wingback Keryn Navarro in the first half. And Kevin Jagdeosingh found the back of the net in the 82nd minute but both items were leveled by Rangers’ Devon Modeste who netted in the 68th and 89th minutes to send the match into penalties following the 2-2 result.
Akeil Guevara’s kick was saved while Seon Power and Anthony Wolfe both missed handing Rangers a comfortable 3-0 kicks from the penalty mark victory.
“It hurt us… knowing that we fight most of the game with ten-men and then lost on penalties,” said Guevara. “We lapse in defense; we made mistakes and paid for them, then gave it away on the kicks.
But we face them again next week Tuesday (from 6pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in the League) and will prepare to do better. It won’t happen a next time,” he assured.
Meantime Alcântara believes that his players now understand his philosophy after breaking the language barrier.
He said, “I like my team because they now understanding my philosophy. When I first got to Trinidad, plenty difficulty because I (don’t) speak plenty English. But now I speak better English and the players understand my philosophy.”
This week the club announced the end of a three month contract with former Birmingham City, Sunderland and Ipswich Town striker and club president Darryl Mahabir in a release said, “We have been talking to some T&T internationals as well as players from Colombia and Brazil. We will also look closer to home at younger players who have stood out in the Super League as well as our Champion of Champions tournament.”