Ross Russell, coach of the national Under-20 team says he is very confident of his team progressing from its Caribbean Football Union U-20 Championship four-team group to the Concacaf finals next year.
The national U-20 squad which departs for Kingston, Jamaica following the completion of a three-day live-in camp at Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s, will face Puerto Rico on Monday, Haiti on Wednesday and Curacao two days later in Group A while Group B comprises the host, Cuba, Suriname and Cuba.
The matches will be played at the Waterhouse Stadium, and Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, both in Kingston and at the end of the two round-robin groups, the top two teams in each group as well as the best third-place team overall will qualify for the 12-team Concacaf Finals February 18 to March 2 in Puebla, Mexico.
The team’s trip to Jamaica was made certain after the Ministry of Sports, provided the cheque $400,000 to cover the cost of the team’s airfare, hotel accommodation, meals and other expenses.
Speaking prior to his team’s final training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday, Russell, also the coach of Digicel T&T Pro League club, Defence Force said the team is full of lots of quality and he feels very positive about its chances in Jamaica.
Russell, while admitting he could have done with some more time to work with the players, noted that most of the guys in the team have been together before as a group and it will not take them that long to gel.
Questioned about T&T’s group opponents, Russell said he was yet to get any information on the teams and was hoping that when he arrives in Jamaica on Saturday, he will be able to source some.
The local Under-20 squad led by FC Santa Rosa’s Duane Muckette is also coming a 2-1 loss to Southern Football Association Premier Division leaders, Pt Fortin FC, a result Russell says does not worry him a bit.