National Men’s Team midfielder Andre Boucaud believes that the “Warriors” will need to settle early in Friday’s World Cup Qualifying match and will have to avoid letting the magnitude of the encounter get the better of them if they are to achieve the desired result to take them to the Concacaf hexagonal final round.
The English-born Dagenham and Redbridge player was speaking on Monday morning after completing the team’s opening session of a live-in training camp at the Hasely Crawford Stadium training pitch. He and several of the overseas-based players were involved including US-based quartet Mekeil Williams (Colorado Rapids), Aubrey David (Dallas FC), Trevin Caesar (Orange County) and Kevan George (Jacksonville Armada). Also in were Mexican-based duo Jomal Williams and Shahdon Winchester and Estonian-based defender Radanfah Abu Bakr, South Korean-based defender Carlyle Mitchell and new call, goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh who trained alongside the local duo of Adrian Foncette and Marvin Phillip. Central FC’s Kenwyne Jones, Daneil Cyrus and Hughtun Hector of W Connection were also present at training.
The rest of the squad is expected in by Monday evening.
“It’s a massive game and everybody knows the importance of the game. I believe if we do what we were doing in the other qualifying games prior to the last three friendlies, then I think we will get the result that we need,” Boucaud told TTFA Media.
“I’ve been playing a lot of games in England on Saturdays and Tuesdays and my team is doing pretty good as we’re top of the League at the moment and I’m feeling pretty fit and ready at the moment,” he added.
Looking ahead to the affair, Boucaud says while the past two wins over Guatemala are just history now, he doesn’t think T&T needs to change it’s game approach.
“I think the key would be sticking together as usual and not playing the occasion… we need to play the game as is. We all know it’s a big game but I think if we focus on our game and how we are accustomed doing things, sticking together and pull off the result the we can, then I think we’ll be fine on Friday,” Boucaud added.
Midfielder George, who missed T&T’s last five matches is anticipating a quick start from the Guatemalans. George says physically he’s in top shape at the moment
“It’s the best feeling in the world to play regularly for your team, and starting and playing 90 minutes. I feel like I’m in the shape of my professional life so far and I’m just happy to be back in the national squad.” George said.
“Attitude will be the key for us in this game. We need to try and finish them off quickly and give the people something to cheer and not have to leave it until the last game in the round. I think Guatemala will be the same as they were at home minus the fans. They will be nasty, they are going to come in the first 15-20 minutes and be very physical but we will be prepared for any matchup. We have to make this stadium our own so that teams will be afraid to come here and play thinking they can get a result, George added.
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