HEREDIA, Costa Rica – Herediano Head Coach Paulo Wanchope is wary of the threat posed by visiting Arabe Unido ahead of Thursday’s 2018 Scotiabank Concacaf League semifinal first leg.

In Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, Wanchope noted the experience of the Arabe Unido players, which should make for a difficult 90 minutes at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero in Heredia.

“It’s going to be a tough match,” said Wanchope. “Arabe Unido is here at his stage for a reason. It is a team with talented players, especially the Colombian attacker [Faber Gil] who is very fast, and experienced players like Blas Perez, who we all know is dangerous in the area,” added Wanchope.

The former Costa Rican National Team boss also hailed Arabe Unido’s physicality, stressing that his team will have to match the Panamanian’s work rate.

“It is a team that physically imposes itself and plays the counterattack well. This whole week we have been working on countering their strengths and we hope that this Thursday we have a good match to grab the advantage at home,” said Wanchope.

Hired last week to replace Jaime De La Pava, Wanchope has been tasked with trying to lead Herediano to its first ever Concacaf title.

The new Head Coach believes the pieces are in place to mold together a championship squad.

“It has to be a team with great solidarity and aware that it can always improve, and be committed. These are the aspects that I’m always going to emphasize to the squad because tough moments will come,” concluded Wanchope.