The Soca Warriors may not have qualified for the World Cup, but they will be playing top quality opponents as if they were in the FIFA competition itself before the tournament starts.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) is now seeking a friendly international match against a third World Cup qualifier, Colombia, prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Already a match against Argentina has been confirmed for June 4 in La Plata, Argentina. The Soca Warriors will also play Iran on June 8 in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Yesterday, TTFA general secretary Sheldon Phillips confirmed negotiations for a match against Colombia in May, but stated that the game is not yet confirmed.
If confirmed however, T&T may have the enviable task of facing the full squads of two of the top five teams in the world, just prior to the World Cup. Lionel Messi’s Argentina are ranked in the top three in the world, while Colombia for whom Monaco striker Radamel Falcao plays, are ranked fifth.
“We are trying to create a (World Cup) group stage of our own with three quality international matches,” Phillips stated. “It is something which (coach) Stephen (Hart) would very much like to have, as preparation for the Caribbean Cup, Gold Cup and the next World Cup qualifiers. “
“Nothing (with Colombia) has yet has been confirmed. But matches against Argentina (June 4) and Iran (June 8.) are confirmed, Phillips said. “These things have a life of their own, but we would like to confirm it by the middle of March. We do not have a game in March for the FIFA window, but we would like a third match confirmed by mid-March, if it the this (Colombia) match, or some other qualify opponent.”