Soccer News of Wednesday, 5 June 2002

Source: gna

"Hearts will go all out" - Coach Addo

The headcoach of Accra Hearts of Oak, Mr Herbert Addo, has said that they are going all out in their titanic 11th week league match against Liberty professionals on Thursday at the Accra Sports stadium. He said they have stepped up their preparations towards the match and are ready to face them adding that "we are going for a win."

Speaking to the GNA Sports Mr Addo said they are not underrating any club or afraid of any team for that matter adding that he is not worried about the talk in town that Liberty can stop them. He said, he would not comment too much on the match since "the pitch would decide who wins on Thursday."

On their 2-1 victory against Dawu Youngsters last week, Mr Addo said Dawu played very well and could have surprised Hearts, but his players were also serious in searching for a win hence their excellent performance which resulted in a win for them. Commenting on the teams general performance since he took over as the coach in March Mr Addo said he is satisfied that the team has won all ten matches it has honoured since the commencement of the league because adding that, “this is something every coach would be happy about.”

He said the players as well as the management and all supporters have been very cooperative in ensuring the team's success story so far. "I feel good for having achieved this," he’d added.

Coach Addo said, when he took over team, the players lacked physical fitness, but with time they have been able to improve on their fitness, even though it is not 100 per cent. He said the level of discipline in the team is good since the players are going according to instructions given them.

The reigning champions who are looking for their 6th consecutive title meet Dansoman based Liberty Professionals in a local derby at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday in a 11th week encounter. This is a match, Liberty are highly favoured to win following their impressive performance this year. In two friendly matches between the two sides early this year, the Liberty and Hearts settled for a pulsating 2-2 draw with Hearts having to fight to come on level on both occasions.