‘Nothing to lose’ - Gardner’s Portmore head to Aztec Stadium to overturn 2-1 CL deficit to Cruz Azul

Portmore United head coach, Ricardo Gardner, knows how tough a task it will be going into Aztec Stadium to face Mexican club Cruz Azul for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League round-of-16 tie tonight at 10.

Portmore lost the first leg to the former champions 2-1 at the National Stadium last Tuesday and despite Cruz Azul being overwhelming favourites to win the second leg and move on to the quarter-finals, Gardner has not given up hope of coming away with a favourable result.

“They are a very good team,” he said. “They play well throughout and that’s how they play in Mexico. It doesn’t matter the score, they are still going to play [hard]. So we will have to be disciplined and 100 per cent focused on our game. We have to make it as difficult as possible for them, and try to catch them on the break.”

tested physically

Gardner, who has played in the Aztec Stadium’s during his time as a national player, also expects his players to be severely tested physically, especially playing at high altitude, but says they are committed to the task.

“We want our players to go out and work to the best of their ability and we are working towards that,” he said. “God’s willing, anything is possible on the day and we are looking into ways to see how best we can get use to the condition.

“We will be going into the game without any fear because 11 players will be taking the pitch for them and 11 players will be taking the pitch for us, so we have nothing to lose. We will go out and cherish the moment and give it the best shot we can.

“But all we can ask for is for the players to give every single bit of effort, and who knows what will happen on the night? Maybe we can nick a goal or two. We know it will be difficult but we will prepare ourselves as best as possible,” Gardner said.