England-born T&T international Justin Hoyte ready to perform at his best and remains confident of this country’s potential to shine at the Concacaf Gold Cup, which will run from July 7-28 across several states in the US.
He, along with all members of the squad and management, will depart T&T today en route to its training camp in Florida, where they will prepare for their first taste of Concacaf Gold Cup action since 2005. No confirmation has been given to opponents T&T will face ahead of the Fifa-sanctioned tournament, but when contacted yesterday, the T&T Football Association’s (TTFA) technical director Sheldon Phillips gave the guarantee that the friendly team or teams will be named by tomorrow, after the team arrives in camp.
The players and staff were given a rest day yesterday to spend time with their families and well wishers, and as a result, most were unavailable for comment. However, Hoyte, a fullback born in East London, remained at the Capital Plaza Hotel, Port-of-Spain where the team was based prior to their departure, and spoke with the Guardian.
When asked about his initial reaction to the change in staff and the impact on Hart on the team thus far, Hoyte said the relationship to date, although short, has been positive, particularly in his style of training. “It’s been good thus far. I look forward to working with him. I think everyone’s enjoyed working with him (Hart) and his style of training.”
Hart was only unveiled as T&T’s head coach officially by the TTFA earlier last week, soon after it was announced that he and former T&T World Cup coach Leo Beenhakker would join the TTFA in an effort to revitalise the association and primarily its senior team.
He added: “I’m confident, I always am. I plan on giving 110 per cent and working with the players and staff.” The 28-year-old Middlesbrough (England, League Championship) defender, who has made two previous appearances for T&T and has since committed his future to the team, said he is proud to wear the T&T colours.
“It’s a great feeling wearing the T&T kit. I take pride in it and always give what I can to improve the quality of the team. I don’t feel the pressure of the fans on management because I always give what I can, and play to the best of my ability. It’s not going to be easy (however). We’ll take it game by game and work on whatever weaknesses we may have.”
Only seven players on the current team has played at the Gold Cup; strikers Cornell Glen and Kenwyne Jones, midfielders Christopher Birchall and skipper Densill Theobald, keeper Jan-Michael Williams, Seon Power and Darryl Roberts.
T&T opens its account against El Salvador on July 8, at the Red Bull Arena, in New Jersey, a day after the competition opens. Four days later, T&T will face Haiti in Florida, before ending its Group B fixtures against Honduras in Texas. T&T (81st) is the second highest ranked team in the group by Fifa’s standard, 18 places inferior to Haiti (63rd), five above El Salvador (86th) and significantly higher than Guatemala (84th).
Group B is regarded by many to be the easiest of the three groups, and while Hart has said all of the matches are anything but easy, the team is expected to take at least some positive results to stand a chance as one of the two automatic qualifiers for the quarterfinal phase.
Granted T&T fails to make the automatic places, the team may still advance by virtue of being one of the top two third-placed finishers. Only the worst third placed team will be eliminated.
Gold Cup Group B Fixtures
July 8
T&T v El Salvador, Red Bull Arena, New Jersey, 7 pm
Haiti v Honduras, Red Bull Arena, 9.30 pm
July 12
T&T v Haiti, Sun Life Stadium, Florida, 7 pm
Honduras v El Salvador, Sun Life Stadium, 9.30 pm
July 15
El Salvador v Haiti, BBVA Compass Stadium, Texas, 7 pm
T&T v Honduras, BBVA Compass Stadium, 9.30 pm
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams, Marvin Phillip, Cleon John.
Defenders: Radanfah Abu Bakr, Daneil Cyrus, Seon Power, Curtis Gonzales, Carlyle Mitchell, Justin Hoyte, Aubrey David, Carlos Edwards.
Midfielders: Christopher Birchall, Kevin Molino, Khaleem Hyland, Andre Boucaud, Keon Daniel, Densill Theobald, Darryl Roberts, Joevin Jones, Kevon Carter.
Forwards: Jamal Gay, Kenwyne Jones, Cornell Glen.
Staffs
Coach: Stephen Hart.
Assistants: Hutson Charles, Derek King.
Managers: William Wallace, David Muhammed.