National Under-20 football captain Leston Paul and his teammates got their first feel of Egypt yesterday as they arrived in Alexandria as one of the featured teams for the gala kick off and opening ceremony for the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Championship starting Thursday at the Egyptian Army Stadium.
After checking in at the luxurious Radisson Hotel just after midnight Egypt time, the T&T contingent were afforded top of the line treatment and accommodation in keeping with a prestigious FIFA tournament.
"The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a very important tournament, which over the last 30 years, has repeatedly unearthed future stars such as Maradona, Ronaldinho and Messi. I'm certain new talents will be discovered at the 2009 tournament in Egypt," declared FIFA president Joseph Blatter on the eve of the tournament.
As the T&T team arrived at the match venue, the Egyptian Army Stadium, for their training session at 7pm, there were loads of activities taking place as FIFA and the Local Organising Committee officials were hard at work, putting the final touches in place for Thursday's opening ceremony.
Following its one hour session, the T&T team then made way for the hosts to practice soon after. The daytime conditions are relatively warm, not as humid as Cyprus and the temperature dropped to around 24 degrees as night approached.
T&T head coach Zoran Vranes says he expects his players to perform better in training in the remaining two days leading up to Thursday's match which kicks off at 8pm (2pm TT time).
"I was a little bit disappointed with the training. This pitch is very fast but we will adjust to it," Vranes told TTFF Media.
"It was something that we have to think about a bit more. But I expect our sessions over the next couple days will get better. We have a challenge to get ready for Thursday. We saw tonight the size of the stadium and the crowd will be tremendous.
"I think the players will be very anxious and we have to make sure they are mentally and physically ready. I see no reason why we will not be ready because we have prepared very long for this. Of course it's an opening game and eyes all around the world will be on Trinidad and Tobago but I have no fear that we will be ready," he added.
FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and his contingent arrived in Cairo olast night and will be present at Thursday's grand kick off.