TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Soca Warriors will be prepared to give everything in an attempt to defy the odds and come away with an upset or a draw in today’s international friendly clash with world powerhouse Argentina at the Estadio Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires from (6:30 pm TT time).
Led by skipper Kenwyne Jones, TT are on a five-game unbeaten run but are fully aware that they face a mountainous task against the two-time World Champions in their own backyard.
Since arriving there on Sunday night, coach Stephen Hart has since conducted two training sessions at the San Lorenzo training pitch as neither the TT nor the home team were allowed to practice at the match venue prior to the match.
Despite the chilly conditions that range between 5-10 degrees, Hart feels that his troops will not be challenged by it.
The travelling contingent also brought some warmth to the players with popular cultural group-the Siparia Rhythm Section Tassa Group and Steelpan which made the players feel at home in La Plata.
Cricket legend Brian Lara accompanied the touring party of supporters on a city tour on Monday as he partook in Tango dancing with some of the locals. There was understandably a less holiday-like buzz for Jones and his men as they remained focused on the task at hand.
Two staff members who did not get on the charter, goalkeeping coach Michael Maurice and football therapist Dave Isaac arrived on an American Airlines flight early yesterday and Hart said he was happy that they had arrived.
“Obviously it’s a lot better having everyone here now. There was a bit of a setback with two of the staff members not being able to get on the flight. But that’s behind us now and we’re placing all our energies towards the game now,” Hart told TTFA Media.
“We would have had two sessions here in Argentina going into the game and the players all appear to be settled in and ready. There will always be some nerves especially among the younger ones and then it’s no secret that we are coming up against one of the top sides in the world in their own backyard,” Hart said.
“But these boys live for games like these and whether we can hold it together will be certain before our eyes once the match gets going.
“We do not expect anything but a strong encounter and we’ll give it our best to stay in the match for as long as possible.”
Hart will depend on the services of defenders Carlyle Mitchell, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Sheldon Bateau, Justin and Gavin Hoyte with the likes of Khaleem Hyland, Andre Boucaud, Lester Peltier, Kevin Molino, Ataullah Guerra and Jones shouldering the attacking responsibilities. The youngsters such as Trevin Caesar, Willis Plaza, Rundell Winchester and Marcus Joseph will also hope to create some impact.
President of the Republic, His Excellency Anthony Carmona will attend the match along with TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee. They will be among 100 TT fans that will cheer on the TT team in the 50, 000 seated facility.
The match is expected to be aired live in 92 countries including GISL TV 4 in TT.
Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella named his final World Cup squad this week with Nicolás Otamendi, Éver Banega and José Sosa being the three players to miss out. Martín Demichelis joined his fellow Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta and striker Sergio Agüero in the squad as Atletico Mineiro’s Otamendi was the defender to make way.
Boca Juniors’ Fernando Gago was selected despite fitness concerns as Banega, of Newell’s Old Boys, and Atlético Madrid’s Sosa were left out of a midfield selection which also features Javier Mascherano, Ángel di María, Lucas Biglia, Maxi Rodríguez, Ricardo Álvarez, Enzo Pérez and Augusto Fernández. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuaín, Paris Saint Germain’s Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo Palacio of Internazionale join Agüero in a fearsome strike force.
Showdown with World Cup second favorite.
T&T Express Reports.
Warriors vs Albicelestes
Trinidad and Tobago will give everything as they attempt to defy the odds and come away with something from today’s friendly international against Argentina, known as the Albicelestes (sky blue and whites), at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires from 6:30 p.m. T&T Time.
Led by skipper Kenwyne Jones, T&T are on a five-game unbeaten run but are fully aware that they face a mountainous task against the two-time World Champions in their own backyard.
Since arriving on Sunday night, head coach Stephen Hart has conducted two training sessions at the San Lorenzo training pitch as neither the T&T nor Argentina team were allowed to practice at the match venue prior to the match.
With temperatures ranging between five to ten degrees C during the evening period, the chilly conditions have not posed a challenge for the T&T team. Jones and his men remained focused on the task at hand. Two staff members who did not get on the charter, goalkeeping coach Michael Maurice and football therapist Dave Isaac arrived yesterday, notably good news for Hart.
“Obviously it’s a lot better having everyone here now. There was a bit of a setback with two of the staff members not being able to get on the flight. But that’s behind us now and we’re placing all our energies towards the game now,” Hart told TTFA Media.
“We would have had two sessions here in Argentina going into the game and the players all appear to be settled in and ready. There will always be some nerves especially among the younger ones and then it’s no secret that we are coming up against one of the top sides in the world in their own backyard,” Hart said.
“But these boys live for games like these and whether we can hold it together will be certain before our eyes once the match gets going. We do not expect anything but a strong encounter and we’ll give it our best to stay in the match for as long as possible.”
Hart will depend on the services of defenders Carlyle Mitchell, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Sheldon Bateau, Justin and Gavin Hoyte with the likes of Khaleem Hyland, Andre Boucaud, Lester Peltier, Kevin Molino, Ataullah Guerra and Jones shouldering the attacking responsibilities. The youngsters such as Trevin Caesar, Willis Plaza, Rundell Winchester and Marcus Joseph will also hope to create some impact.