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Gheisar Urges ‘Clinical’ Approach To Halifax’s Opening Cup Match
By It may not be Patrice Gheisar’s first time coaching in the Canadian Championship, but it’ll still be some firsts for him when he leads the Halifax Wanderers into battle against Atletico Ottawa tomorrow.
The match marks Patrice’s first time in the cup competition as a professional coach, having previously led the Vaughan Azzurri against the Halifax Wanderers in 2019.
“I’m super excited to be on the other side,” he says, stating that there’s extra incentive for him given that the match at York Lions Stadium will be played just minutes away from his home, with friends and family expected to turn up in abundance.
The Game Plan For Facing A Familiar Opponent
The Wanderers had faced Atletico Ottawa just days ago to open up their respective Canadian Premier League seasons, with that match finishing a one-one draw.
“We’re looking to get better than Saturday,” says Gheisar, who’s keen to ‘finish the job’ against Atletico Ottawa. He’d like to see his side be a little bit more clinical in front of net this time around, and he’s ready for Ottawa’s probing counters regardless of if they play a low or high block.
In true Gheisar mentality, he wants to take the game to them for the duration of tomorrow’s cup tilt. He believes both sides waned in the final twenty minutes or so a few days back, and he wants to see his east coast outfit remain fully focused for the full ninety this time around.
No Doubt
“The storylines are gone, that’s what’s most important for me,” Gheisar told David Parkes, alluding to the multitude of questions he’d faced regarding how his League1 Ontario and first-year professionals would do ahead of the season opener.
Now a half-week removed from the match, two players of his from that demographic found their rightful place in the league’s team of the week.
“I think those jitters are behind them and the belief is high. We know it’s a cup game, so that’s why we want to keep it consistent.”
On Lorenzo Callegari
Former Paris Saint Germain prospect Lorenzo Callegari made quite an impression during his debut last weekend, with the 24-year-old showing a deft touch and a cool composure under pressure.
The frenchman had impressed straight through preseason and into the season’s debut, with Gheisar indicating that the Wanderers play a style that suits his ability and technique.
“His pedigree is beyond imagination,” adds Gheisar, believing that the best of Lorenzo is yet to come. “He’s the one that turns the wheels, and he’s a focal point because he’s not afraid of getting the ball. He’s able to get the ball in different areas and in different ways, with pressure and without pressure.”
The Halifax Wanderers will enter tomorrow’s match with a clean bill of health, though Gheisar has his own plans in terms of resting certain players. He still intends to approach the match the same way as he would a league fixture, though he recognizes the incentives of a cup game are much higher.
Fans interested in watching the knockout cup match unfold can tune in to OneSoccer and Telus at 5:00PM EST.