HAVING finished second in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup Championships last year, Cavalier Sporting Director Rudolph Speid says they are determined to win this year’s tournament.

Cavalier, the reigning Jamaica Premier League champions, are already through to the quarter-finals of the Caribbean Cup with a game remaining. That match will be against local rivals Arnett Gardens on Thursday at the National Stadium at 7 pm. Cavalier leads Group B with six points, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Real Hope Police FC who have five points. They are followed by Mount Pleasant Academy with four points, while Arnett Gardens are out of contention for the next phase with just one point.

Cavalier were runners-up last year, losing the two-legged final by a combined score of 3-0 to Suriname’s Robinhood FC.

Speid says this is a new year and his players are more mature, having put in the work to ensure they become champions of this competition.

“Last year we came second and we are trying to go one better, but it is far from over and we just have to take it one game at a time,” Speid said. “This is our third year in it and it is very good for us and it is something that we like, because travelling helps the players. It is something that we look forward to, and I am hoping that we can do even better than last year.”

Speid says despite Arnett Gardens being out of contention he is bracing for a tough contest on Thursday.

“Every game, we have to go out there [with a] positive [mindset],” he said. “Arnett Gardens have done so well and I am sure they are going to try and finish strong, so we just come out and try to get a positive result.

“We are not taking anything for granted against them because we have to prepare as we always do. Arnett Gardens are a formidable team — and it doesn’t matter if they have one point or 10, they are really good — and we know we have to come out and fight to keep up with them.”

Speid says he has assembled a solid, all-around team this season, combining youth and experience, and he is confident they will do well.

“For the last few years that is what Cavalier has been doing — we try to put good teams together. We play for our club and our fans, and we strive to give our best effort every time we step onto the field,” Speid said.