National football team coach Bertille St Clair is expected to take a cautious approach when he leads T&T against St Kitts/Nevis in their second semifinal round match of the CONCACAF 2006 World Cup qualifiers in St Kitts on Saturday at Warner Park, Basseterre, from 8 pm.
The T&T players will then return home for a key battle with CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico four days later at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, from 6 pm.
A local squad of 16 players will leave today and will be joined in St Kitts by China-based midfielder Arnold Dwarika and Errol Mc Farlane.
Dwarika, Mc Farlane, John and Rougier all missed yesterday’s sessions .
John sat out the session because of a stomach ailment while Rougier is not yet back home and midfielder Stokely Mason is on standby.
Following yesterday’s training session at Hasely Crawford Stadium, an upbeat St Clair said, “I’m very happy with the work ethic of the players in the two sessions we were able to put in. The guys are all eager to play.
“This upcoming match is not going to be easy because no match is easy at this stage. We will maintain our focus and take the right approach to get a positive result away from home.”
St Clair, who was criticised for his defensive approach in his team’s 2-0 away win against St Vincent and the Grenadines in its opening match, said: “You have to understand that we were playing away from home and we had to play according to the conditions which were very hot. We have not seen them (St Kitts/Nevis) play for a while. However, when we get on the field it will be 11 against 11 and that’s where we hope to show our superiority.
“We are going there to win and like our opening game, we will play to suit the conditions.”
With team captain Angus Eve out through suspension, St Clair hinted that the captain’s band will be handed to either Rougier or Marvin Andrews who have both led the team in the past.
Former captain David Nakhid showed up a second time for the week and spoke to the players.
“It is always good when former players especially captains come around the national team and give their support.
“David was an outstanding captain and he always put the team first. He was a true leader with a great work ethic who always made the players around him play better,” St Clair said.
T&T team: Clayton Ince (Crewe Alexandra), Kelvin Jack (Dundee Utd), Derek King (Joe Public), Marlon Rojas (Superstar Rangers), Marvin Andrews (Glasgow Rangers), Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Brent Sancho (Dundee), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton), Anthony Rougier (Un-attached), Densil Theobald (Arima/Morvant Fire), Silvio Spann, Andre Bocaud (Peterborough), Brent Rahim (Falkirk), Stern John (Birmingham City), Jason Scotland (Dundee), Errol Mc Farlane (Al Nejmeh), Arnold Dwarika (China), Cornell Glen (New York/New Jersey Metrostars)