KINGSTON, Jamaica – The clock is ticking against former champions Excelsior High as they chase a spot in the quarterfinal round of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition.

The one-nil loss to Haile Selassie in the first leg of their round of 16 contest on Tuesday has left them in a precarious position, as they have only two days in which to fix the problem of goal scoring, which has haunted them recently.

Head coach, Xavier Gilbert, was left disappointed with the approach of his boys in the first leg.

“I think we weren’t aggressive enough. I think Haile Selassie did well, they stuck to their game plan and we strayed away somewhat from our game plan, and I think that cost us,” he said.

“We weren’t as disciplined as we should be in all areas of the park and when you get the opportunities at this level you have to convert,” he added.

Goals have dried up for Excelsior over the last few match days, which has left Gilbert somewhat bewildered as he races against time to figure out how to get his strikers scoring again.

“I think our conversion rate has been, very, very low for the past couple of games and that is something that we continue to work on. We just have to continue putting in the work,” he said.

“I’m not sure there is (enough) time, there are only a couple of days. It’s recovery time now and then by the time they are fully recovered, it’s game time so, it’s not much time. But we just have to continue to put in the work,” he added.

He has remained positive about the chances of his team in the return leg on Friday and is banking on a better showing to get them over the line.

“Hopefully we can get a better performance out of our boys come Friday. I think they will do better,” he said.

“I think we did enough to at least share the points, but, nevertheless, we have to give (Haile Selassie) credit. They went in front, and they defended well and protected their lead.”

Execution will be the name of the game at the Stadium East Field.

“It’s a tough game coming up on Friday and we have to go back and prepare a little bit better and execute better.”

Excelsior are perennial quarterfinalists in this competition and Gilbert admitted that there will be some amount of pressure heading into the return leg with a deficit to overcome.

“There is always pressure. Once you are a coach there is always pressure but it is what it is. I think today (Tuesday) was a mediocre performance and they are aware of that. We have to put this behind us as soon as possible and get ready for the next game,” he said.

The virtual season decider for both teams will be live on television starting at 3:15 pm.