Trinidad and Tobago Dennis Lawrence is implementing the right approach towards getting this country’s National Senior Men’s team adequately ready for its upcoming International three-game schedule with Jamaica, Panama and Honduras.
This is according to a trio of home-based players who are currently in the squad to face Jamaica on Thursday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 8pm.
Lawrence will finalise his roster to face Honduras next week but in the meantime he is balancing his squad between home-based and overseas-based players heading into the Jamaica clash. The likes of Cordell Cato, Mekeil Wiliams and Aubrey David are all expected to be in the mix for Thursday’s encounter.
“At the moment the head coach is putting the puzzle together and working with the right approach to get the best possible team ready for the qualifiers coming up against Honduras and Panama,” W Connection midfielder Hughtun Hector told TTFA Media on Friday.
“We know how important preparation is and having the Jamaica game is a major boost for us to really put our work into practice before the qualifier. It is important that we put our heads down and implement the things he is asking of us in training on the actual playing field on gameday. It is a process we are working on and hopefully getting it right in time for the matches,” Hector added.
San Juan Jabloteh winger Nathan Lewis is also looking forward to his first international against the Reggae Boyz.
“This will be my first encounter with Jamaica so yes I am pretty excited because I know it’s a big rivalry and players live for these kind of clashes. I think they will come hard but we will also have to show what we are made of. The intensity of the game I think should make it a really good preparation game for us against Honduras,” Lewis said.
“Overall the training sessions are well thought out and planned by the coach. He is getting to know the players better everytime we come together and he is making decisions based on what he observes in the sessions and also the games. The Ecuador game was a good in more ways than one even though we lost it 3-1 but he (Lawrence) would have seen what he needed to. Now it is down to him to pick the best team to take us forward and hopefully get the results we need in the next two qualifiers,” Lewis added.
Experienced goalkeeper Marvin Phillip has had to contest for the number one spot over the past few years and has worked under several past head coaches. But the challenge is never one that overrides his drive to protect the T&T goal at all costs.
“My ambition inspite of what is to always represent to the best of my ability once I am called upon to serve. And Dennis Lawrence has a similar style both when he was a player and now as a coach he is trying to instil that into the players. I think he has a drive that really pushes us,” Phillip said. “These games coming up will be a very demanding period for us but I think we are up to the task and he will know which are the best players best ready to answer the call and give their all in the next set of games.”
The team continues training this weekend at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Tickets for T&T vs Jamaica are available at all NLCB Lotto Locations at $100 (covered) and $50 (uncovered) Early bird ticket purchases for the T&T versus Honduras World Cup qualifier will access the Jamaica friendly free of charge. Those tickets cost $300 (covered) and $150 (uncovered) up until August 24th. T&T will face Honduras at the Ato Boldon Stadium at 8pm on Friday September 1st.