AS Alpha United prepare to face Portland Timbers in their second game of the 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League, one of its imports; Brazilian Caio Oliveira is promising to ignite the tournament with some ‘samba’ and also help the Guyanese club to progress to the next phase.

The 27 year-old who hails from Sao Paulo is a defender whose game mimics that of Brazilian stars Marcello (Real Madrid) and Maicon (A.S Roma) says that playing in a tournament of this magnitude is something that he will take pride in but his ultimate goal is to see Alpha United past their USA opponents.

Alpha United will play the Major League Soccer (MLS) club in a historic game this coming Tuesday at the Guyana National Stadium and the game will mark the first time a professional unit from the USA will be playing in Guyana.

“I feel good and im happy for the opportunity of being in Guyana and playing in this tournament. I’ve been receiving good treatment and im actually excited to play next week” said the defender who was speaking exclusively with chronicle Sport through his interpreter.

Brazilian players are widely regarded as some of the best in world and asked if this will add any significant pressure to his game and doing well with Alpha United, Oliveira said “yes, but it’s a challenge im happy to accept. It means I will have to play well all the time but it will take a team effort to help the team reach far and we will take it one day at the time”.

With stints in China, the Brazilian has also played with ABC Futebol Clube from Natal in Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Branco Football Club and União Bandeirante Futebol Clube.

“I think that a lot will be expected of me, not because im Brazilian, but I think because of my experience I’ve had but I think im ready to play. I don’t know much of the tournament, but I know that it’s going to be difficult but I like our chances” the 27 year-old defender said.

Oliveira and another Brazilian, Ramires Morello will don the Alpha United uniform next Tuesday and in an invited comment, the club’s coach Wayne Dover said that the Brazil duo, both of whom are defenders, will add depth to his side since the players are also solid in attack; something he says is an important area in the club’s game plan as they face the Americans.

(By Rawle Toney)