The choice of Panama for a football friendly against the Soca warriors is appropriate from all angles.
Since their entry into the Concacaf, they have demonstrated the quality of their play by a fair level of success in the Gold Cup tournaments over the past four years.
They will surely put TT to the test and will take a good look at what is being offered by the home team.
For Stephen Hart and his squad, the task of molding a team in seven days cannot be considered easy, especially as there has been little interaction among the local players, many of whom are chosen in the final twenty two players.
With all the restrictions given to the professional clubs over the release of players for matches played on a Fifa day, it simply means that many of the players from the last few matches of the Gold Cup Qualifying in Jamaica have been bypassed.
With so many who are employed locally, some practice days should have been afforded for the coach to start his Gold Cup preparations from now.
Stephen Hart could not be totally satisfied with the shortage of training days in order to plan a course of action with the team.
Are we still naïve to believe that so long as players are occupied with their club teams, they can be expected to perform in quite the same way when they are selected into a team which may have a difference in approach, system of play, and most importantly, positive attitude.
The quality of play in a national team must be based upon the players gelling organisationally as a team, understanding the technical and tactical language which implies a level of cohesiveness.
Our major problem in recent times is a lack of coordination among the players in terms of creating the fluidity of ball possession from defense to midfield and finally to the forwards.
The individual play of Kevin Molino, Ataullah Guerra, Khareem Hyland, Marcus Joseph, and Willis Plaza will certainly create entertainment, mainly because they are the penetrative attackers in the team.
The question now is whether the number of relative newcomers and the two overseas based Justin Hoyte and Sheldon Bateau are capable of developing astute formations of defense and attack when necessary.
Fans are forever expecting excellent performances from players regardless of which part of the world they play and what styles to which they have become accustomed.
We should recall that the number of attacking setplays which came our way in the qualifying series were not well utilised, because of an absence of any planned moves to upset the opposition.
Then the business of speed and where this asset must be used, should be an essential factor. When we had Lester Peltier in our lineup, his speed towards the right byeline was effective and the attacking players received some crosses which could have invited goal chances.
I believe that Hughton Hector may have been an impact midfielder to join in a midfield potency when alongside playmakers, Guerra, and ball winners Hyland and Hoyte.
Surely I am speculating about some of these players whom we have not seen for a few months, but that is the price coaches have to pay when they are subjected to a less than satisfactory plan for their matches.
Of the Panamians, they base their game upon speed, quick short crisp passes in midfield and tend to recognise opponents who are short in that department.
One of the things which Panama has learnt from their old adversaries from Conmebol is their swift recovery when they have lost possession, a feature which often presents them with an opportunity to regain possession almost immediately.
I am always concerned about the selection of many young players in the national team at the same time. That procedure alludes to the uncertainty of the coaching staff as to their true ability.
Oh how I welcomed the days when an interleague tournament played within three weeks of national team matches, will put on show the outstanding players from the various zones or leagues as the case may be, for about three or four matches prior to selection. This formula allows a competitive spirit among the teams and try to produce their best performances before the eyes of the coaching staff and the public as well.
We all know that finances are always referred as the major problem, whether it is for transport and hotel for overseas players or payment for representing our national team, hence the reason why we always have an excuse for many of the things that happen on the field.
This present situation may be more to the liking of Hart than previous times, and because of this, we must expect competence on the part of the players.
I shall follow the path to team preparation up to the last day in order to convince myself that our team can produce solid competition in this game on Friday.