TWICE is too much.Those were the simple yet effective words offered yesterday by Trinidad and Tobago's Under-17 captain, Roderick Anthony, as he leads his team into today's warm-up international match against Paraguay, first of the 15 teams to arrive.
Kick-off time is 1 pm at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Admission fee, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation says is $10 anywhere.
Today's warm-up match is a prelude to this month's FIFA Under-17 World Championships to be played here at five venues across the country.
Anthony yesterdaysaid Paraguay beat T&T twice, about two months ago, in that country.
"Twice is too much. It's very important for us to win these friendly games because we don't have much international games," the T&T skipper said.
Anthony, 17, of Chance Street, Buccoo Point, Tobago, said they observed Paraguay's type of play during those two losses, which ended 4-0 and 2-0.
"We checked their style of play. They are okay, but we are an improving team," he said.
Assistant coach Brazilian Professor Julio Cesar Leal, said since those losses to Paraguay, the technical staff has been able to put the final polish on the T&T team's preparation.
Leal is holding on for compatriot Professor Rene Simoes, who left yesterday for Mexico with the senior team. Simoes is expected back tomorrow.
He described Paraguay as a very good team, brilliant in defence and attack.
"If we perform very well, we could win this game, but our defence must be compact. They must be able to take the ball from their opponents. This will lead to our players scoring goals."
Leal said T&T would not be viewing the game as a revenge one, but as a preparatory one for the tournament.
He said it would be decided today whether goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams, striker Nkosi Blackman and defender Kenwyne Jones will take the field since, they were all nursing minor injuries.
He said the team had a light practice session at Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, yesterday since,"we had a 'heavy practice' session the day before at Hasely Crawford Stadium."
The Paraguay team, meanwhile, is dissatisfed with the time today's game is scheduled, Rogelio Cattebeke, the team's media officer, said.
Cattebeke said the 34-member squad, staying at the Cascadia Hotel, St Ann's, would have preferred the game to be played at 4 pm because of "the hot sun."
Nonetheless, he said, his team, which he said took 40 hours to get to Trinidad, will be looking for a third win against T&T team.
The team, Cattebeke said, has to its credit Aldo Jara, leading goal-scorer in the South American qualifying round, in which Paraguay placed third to enter the FIFA Under-17 tournament. Jara notched seven goals.
Cattebeke also said the team finished first last month in the European tournament, which was played in Ireland.
The visitors had a short practice stint at Trinity College Ground, Moka, Maraval, yesterday.