As he did a few days ago, Harrymou spoke with the present journalists via teleconferencing in the pre-match press briefing prior to the league season opener. The Setubalense owner may be away from the island, but he is nonetheless keeping in touch with his deputies on a daily basis, and closely following developments both in the Club and in the series.

Let us start by asking your thoughts about Wednesday’s game.
I would have preferred if we finished 10-0 instead of 8-0, but I won’t complain. The team has already shown a decent form level, and can only get better when we have more games under the belt. What I didn’t like were the two yellow cards. HFA sent us a message here: they are already all out trying to slow us down. The only way they can do that is by inflicting suspensions, and we must be careful not to fall into their trap.

Which leads us on tomorrow’s match against Pandamonju…
I like the guy, and it hurts me to see a team like Pandamonju getting eliminated on the Cup’s first round. I’m serious, this situation troubles me. He sold all the players he had which were worth of any reference. And, so-far, he hasn’t bought anyone to replace the players sold. At this present situation, he’ll be lucky if his team isn’t relegated in series V. All we can do is hope that the owner gets back the motivation he has apparently lost along the way. He has been around in the game for many years, has a lot of experience, and our community would be at the loosing end if he loses interest in the game.

When will you be returning from your holiday?
That is none of your business. As I said, the first matches shouldn’t pose much problems. And I actually see no point in press conferences, especially when facing bot teams.

Every season your team looks like building and improving over what has been done in the past. How do you manage to do that?
What I try to do is instill a philosophy, and this can only be done in phases. The first thing to do is to give them tactical discipline. Play with the mind, not with emotions. Then I show them that I don’t want to lose matches. I want to get the maximum points in the beginning. And I want to show it’s not easy to beat Setubal, that it’s not easy to score against them. Step by step the team is getting strong by the tactical and mental point of views. Very strong. They are feeling the power: we score one goal, we don’t lose. We can go away from home, we don’t concede goals. Clean sheet after clean sheet. Points quickly start gathering that way.

How do you rank your chances for tomorrow’s game?
Even if he buys new players in the last minute, he will start the match as the underdog. But we must stay alert, and be prepared for everything. We have a task, a goal, and my players must focus on it.