The last time Marvin Phillip stepped onto the field in a World Cup qualifier things didn’t work out too nicely for the Morvant Caledonia United goalkeeper.
It was before a hostile atmosphere in San Pedro Sula after team-mate Jan-Michael Williams sustained a head injury and had to be rushed off the field and directly to hospital. Phillip would go onto concede two goals in quick succession and a third in the second half as T&T lost the match 3-1.
Since then there has not been much opportunity for Phillip to catch form in T&T colours as injury forced him out of the Nicaragua friendlies and the Gold Cup qualifiers in January.
But now under Dennis Lawrence he is poised to stand in goal again as he and Glenroy Samuel are the two ‘keepers named for today’s friendly against Barbados.
“It’s always a difficult period when you have to enter a game in such hostile conditions and not knowing what is wrong with your team-mate but we’ve been around for a long time so we are prepared knowing that we have to do our best and mentally ready for anything,” Phillip said.
“The result didn’t turn out well but that is history. Now we have two very important games to look forward to on March 24 and 28 against Panama and Mexico. I feel good at the moment. The training has been intense but well structured under Dennis. The goalkeepers have been putting in the work with Ross (Russell). Hopefully we can put together a good performance against Barbados and then concentrate fully on the two games later this month.”
Today’s game kicks off at 7 pm at Ato Boldon Stadium. Tickets for the two upcoming World Cup qualifiers are on sale from today at Lotto outlets nationwide.