T&T captain Kenwyne Jones says the Soca Warriors have no intentions of underestimating any of their opponents in the 18th Caribbean Football Union Cup Group Seven semifinals which kicks off with a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, tomorrow.
T&T, record eight-time winners and beaten in the final 1-0 two years ago by Cuba will host Dominican Republic, St Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda until Sunday in a round-robin series, at the end of which the top two teams will advance to the eight-team finals in Montego Bay, Jamaica from November 10-18.
Five-time winners Jamaica as host and defending champion Cuba have already qualified for the finals.
The Soca Warriors kick off in the feature match of a double-header tomorrow against Dominican Republic from 8.15 pm while Antigua & Barbuda faces St Lucia from 6pm.
The host then faces St Lucia on Friday also from 8.15pm before ending with a clash versus St Lucia on Sunday from 6.15 pm.
Speaking after his team’s training session at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on Sunday, Jones said that T&T will have to stamp its authority on the group from the opening match.
“I’m quite confident. For us it’s just a continuation of the progress we have been making over the past nine months. There will be a bit more pressure on us because we’ve been playing some terrific football and it will be expected that we can deliver the goods against our Caribbean opponents,” Jones said.
Jones said he hopes to replicate his form from Cardiff City in the T&T shirt.
“Pre-season time was a time to work and I did that. Knowing that the season was one where you had to be fit and strong to maintain consistency meant I had to put in the work. It’s natural and hopefully the form from the club and also the national team can continue in these games.”
The last set of players on the 20-man roster was scheduled to arrive yesterday including US-based striker Cordell Cato, Belgium-based duo Khaleem Hyland and Sheldon Bateau as well as Lester Peltier.
Dominican Republic and Antigua/Barbuda were scheduled to arrive yesterday while St Lucia have been here for just under a week.
Match tickets are priced at $100 (covered) and $60 (uncovered) and will be available at the venue on matchdays.
Fixtures
Tomorrow
Antigua & Barbuda vs St Lucia, 6 pm - Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
T&T vs Dominican Republic, 8:15 pm - Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
Friday
Dominican Republic vs Antigua & Barbuda, 6 pm - Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
T&T vs St Lucia, 8:15 pm - Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
Sunday
St Lucia vs Dominican Republic, 4 pm - Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
T&T vs Antigua & Barbuda, 6:15 pm - Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
T&T Squad
Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillips (Pt Fortin Civic Centre)
Defenders:
Yohance Marshall (un-attached), Sheldon Bateau (KV Mechelen), Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps), Daneil Cyrus (Ha Noi T&T), Alvin Jones (W Connection), Justin Hoyte (Millwall).
Midfielders:
Joevin Jones (HJK Helsinki), Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge), Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk), Kevan George (Columbus Crew), Ataullah Guerra (Central FC), Leston Paul (Central FC), Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava), Hughtun Hector (Hanoi T&T), Kevin Molino (Orlando City).
Forwards:
Kenwyne Jones (Cardiff City), Trevin Caesar (San Antonio Scorpions), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes).
Video
T&T SENIOR MEN'S TEAM WORK OUT BEFORE WEDNESDAY'S OPENER VS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC