Berekum Chelsea coach Hans Van Der Plyuim

By Ameenu Shardow

Berekum Chelsea coach Hans Van Der Plyuim says his side’s stuttering starts in Champions League games is due to too much respect given to the opponent.

The Berekum lads have twice had to come from a losing position to get a result in their two games played so far at the group stage.

They first had to come from behind twice in their opening 3-2 win over Egyptian giants Zamalek at the Accra Sports Stadium a few weeks ago.

The 2010 Ghana Premier League champions also were losing 2-0 within the first 30 minutes in last Sunday’s game against TP Mazembe only to come back strongly in the second half to earn a draw.

Their Dutch trainer however says it is as a result of too much respect being given to the opponent only to realize later on they are indeed beatable.

“I think in the first half we have shown too much respect to our opponent,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“But you should also know that sometimes the expectations I feel are too high.

“It is a very young team playing the first time in the Champions League against teams who have won the competition several times.

“And in my opinion we show too much respect in the first half, we have corrected that in the second half and that is why we played for the draw (against TP Mazembe).”

Chelsea will be hoping not to suffer such inferiority complex when they travel to Cairo to face current group leaders Al Ahly.