Trinidad and Tobago will not just begin the quest to win the 2012 Caribbean Cup on Friday. They also have a bigger goal of qualifying for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Eight-time Caribbean champions T&T have missed out on the last two editions of the Gold Cup, the region’s top football competition, after being eliminated at the group stage of the Caribbean tournament.
The Caribbean Cup serves as a qualifier and will send its four semi-finalists to the 2013 tournament.
Hutson Charles—Trinidad and Tobago’s joint head-coach along with Jamaal Shabazz--feels it is imperative that T&T be present at the 2013 Gold Cup showpiece. He has preached the importance of Gold Cup qualification to his players from day one of Caribbean qualifying.
“They must be get fed up of hearing that. It is important for Trinidad and Tobago to keep advancing and keep winning games and especially to qualify for the Gold Cup. They (players) have been hearing that over and over and over,” Charles declared. “I think its very important, not just for them, but for Trinidad and Tobago as a whole.
The football was at a low, and now we get a nice, little momentum. Going to the Gold Cup or winning the Caribbean Cup will open so many doors.” Charles believes that the path to the Gold Cup must be taken step by step, beginning with tomorrow’s Caribbean Cup Finals opener against Haiti which takes place from 6 p.m. at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
The Soca Warriors will also face Antigua-Barbuda on Sunday, and the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. Charles said he will be using all the expertise provided by Shabazz, who was head-coach of Guyana when they were edged 1-0 by Haiti in Caribbean qualifying last month.
“Much of (what) we have done in the couple days before the tournament is geared toward Haiti. Jamaal (Shabazz) has the experience playing against them as head coach of Guyana.
He brings a lot of experience and knowledge. So, we practiced and whatever he saw we did. We are gearing towards Haiti,” Charles said. We are looking to win the tournament (Caribbean Cup), but we are taking it one game at a time.”
Charles also believe his players have bought into the goal of both winning the Caribbean Cup and qualifying for the Gold Cup.
“I think these guys are highly motivated. They want to do good for Trinidad and Tobago,” Charles said.”I think they will do well. We pick a nice blend and I think the chemistry is there. I think the guys will go there and represent well.”
Charles also admits that as the competition approaches, he is more at ease this time, compared to earlier this year when the Soca Warriors faced funding problems as they prepared to enter the 2012 Caribbean Cup.
At one point, the Ministry of Sport had indicated an intention not to fund the team. Charles credits the installation of Raymond Tim Kee as Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) president as having a major impact with stakeholder thus far.
Charles thinks it now up to the players to further improve the relationship with their financial supporters by doing well at the Caribbean Cup.
“Winning and qualifying for the Gold Cup will open doors. We think our stakeholders will get on board,” Charles said “The relationship with the Ministry of Sport (will improve). I think the president (Tim Kee ) has been trying to bridge that gap, and he has been doing a tremendous work so far.
The players are seeing that, and they see things happening in terms of the financial aspect. Things are starting to come on board and gives that gives us a little sense of comfort.”