Trinidad and Tobago head coach Stephen Hart took time on Wednesday to relay some of his thoughts leading up to this country’s all important 2018 World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday September 2nd, 2018.
The “Warriors” boss said he expects to announce his squad for the match in the final week of August and he is continuing to monitor the exploits of his players both on the local and overseas stage before naming the final roster. T&T also faces the United States in Jacksonville, Florida on September 6th. The ‘Warriors” are currently top of the four-team group with ten points, three ahead of second placed USA and Guatemala (6 points) and they need a point to secure a spot in the final round.
“It’s obvious that we need to get points from these two games. Guatemala is the first game at home and we are all aware of the business that needs to be done to get us into the next round,” Hart told TTFA Media.
T&T defeated Guatemala in Guatemala City in the earlier qualifier in November with Khaleem Hyland and Kenwyne Jones netting the two goals. T&T also got off to a flyer with three first half goals in T&T’s 3-1 win at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The last time T&T needed a victory to stay live in the final round of qualifying back in 2005, Russell Latapy notched the equalizer and Stern John grabbed a late double to give the “Warriors” at 3-2 win at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. When the two nations met in the semi-final round of the 2010 qualifiers in Port of Spain, Guatemala struck late to leave the score at 1-1.
For Hart, history means little come September 2nd.
“I don’t give much thought to history. I respect it for what it is. But you are looking at one game, Anything can happen in one game and we are quite aware of the mentality of Guatemala. they have to get points from the next two games and they will see this game as potentially the game that they need points from so we just need to be focused and concentrated on our own game, fulfilling our roles and responsibilities and taking care of business,” Hart said.
Regarding his squad selection, Hart stated: “I’m looking at the players and the games with their clubs. A lot of them have gone through their preseasons with their clubs. I am in contact with most of their players and I am seeing them through live feeds. Yes it is important that they are playing. The locals players, it is unfortunate, the lucky thing is that some of them are playing in the Champions League. Some of them are not playing and that has to weigh heavily on the selection.
Tickets for the upcoming all important 2018 CONCACAF World Cup qualifier between this Country’s National Senior Men’s Team and Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium will go on sale on Thursday August 18th, 2016.
Tickets, priced at $300 (Covered Section) and $150 (Uncovered Section) will be available exclusively through Sun Tixx on the VIA network and will remain on sale while stocks last and throughout the duration of the match which takes place at 7 pm on Friday September 2nd, 2016.
Fans can visit any of the nine hundred (900) National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) Lotto outlets nationwide to purchase their tickets. Patrons are also advised to avoid counterfeit ticket issues by purchasing directly and only from the authorized agents.
Video - Hart looks ahead to another World Cup Qualifying Month